We are excited to announce that we have successfully transitioned our Survivor Driven Services to a shared leadership structure between Olivia Montgomery, our new Services Director, and Alexis Harden, in a newly created position, Housing Director. By replicating our co-leadership model for our survivor-facing services, we have divided responsibilities between advocacy response and housing programs. Leveraging and braiding the wealth of experience in community research and racial and gender advocacy that Olivia brings to the role, with the extensive knowledge in local youth and family housing interventions Alexis holds, this partnership has been seamlessly working with our staff community to assess, align and enhance our shared commitment to survivors.

The benefits of this change have been quick and consistent over the last few months with a breadth of successes, including new and re-imagined partnerships with organizations like 4Tomorrow, the only culturally specific DV organization in Bellevue serving Latinx survivors, as well as For Goodness Cakes, an organization both feeding and feeding-into the development of youth in Washington. In addition, strategic changes have been made to our internal staffing structure to remove barriers, exponentially increasing response times for all survivors seeking services

For survivors, these changes show up as in-person family support for families in our housing programs. Families have enjoyed building community through outings to the aquarium, zoo, and museum, as well as participating in LifeWire’s survivor-centered BBQs, complete with food, games, and prizes. And, in our newly organized office space equipped with a resource room stocked with hygiene items, diapers, and children’s art supplies. We look forward to future developments and are thankful to Olivia and Alexis for their commitment to collective leadership and leading efforts to open a path to safety, stability, and healing for all survivors and their families. 

Historically, women have been underrepresented in leadership roles due to various societal and cultural factors, including gender biases, stereotypes, and discrimination. Gender-based inequalities are addressed at LifeWire by promoting diversity and inclusivity at all levels. Our commitment to the representation of women in leadership positions continues. Women have the talent, skills, and experience to be amazing leaders. We are committed to breaking down gender-based barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. We are proud of the talented women in all positions at LifeWire. We will continue to support and empower all people to be successful. During Women’s History Month, we would like to introduce you to LifeWire’s Women in Leadership:

On behalf of LifeWire’s Board of Directors and staff, I am thrilled to announce we have hired our Co-Executive Director of Survivor Driven Services — Karlah Ramírez-Tánori!

Over the past 20 years, Karlah has held multiple leadership roles dedicated to social justice, crisis intervention, and prevention in the non-profit gender-based violence field. She has held leadership positions working collaboratively with state and national organizations and she has for-profit leadership experience as a business owner.

Karlah has been the recipient of two leadership fellowships supporting the elevation of women of color in nonprofits and has served on multiple boards and state committees focused on improving services for survivors, children, and families affected by domestic and sexual violence.

In 2022, Karlah served as LifeWire’s Services Director and in 2023 has been promoted to LifeWire’s Co- Executive Director of Survivor Driven Services.

It’s an absolute honor to be chosen as the Co- Executive Director of Survivor Driven Services at LifeWire. I am so impressed by our staff, our Board, and the survivors we serve every day. This is an exciting time to lead LifeWire as we expand our emergency shelter, transitional housing, and comprehensive onsite services for survivors who face the greatest safety risks and highest barriers to safe housing in our community.  

Working together, we can create a world where every person lives in a safe environment, free from oppression, and with the opportunity to thrive.                                                                  – Karlah Ramírez-Tánori  

Thank you for your continued support of LifeWire and the survivors we serve throughout this transition as we continue to move this incredible organization forward. We are committed to providing every possible resource to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of the survivors we serve.  

Gratefully, 

The Seattle Times Fund for Those in Need: Neighbors helping neighbors since 1979

“I remember what it felt like when somebody answered the phone, when somebody gave me hope when I had none. Somebody cared. I knew I needed to get to the other side to one day provide that for others,” said Karlah Ramírez-Tánori, LifeWire Services Director.

On December 14th, Karlah shared her story in The Seattle Times: A domestic violence survivor found help at LifeWire. Then she came back to help | The Seattle Times. We hope you take the time to read Karlah’s story and share it with your friends, family, and community.