Crisis Center announces new executive director
Manhattan/Junction City/Fort Riley/Clay Center/Westmoreland/Marysville, KS — After an extensive search, the Crisis Center is pleased to announce the selection of Kathy Ray as its new executive director. Ray, an expert on sexual assault and domestic violence in Kansas, follows the Crisis Center’s previous long-term executive director, Judy Davis, who passed away earlier this year after a long battle with cancer. Ray began her advocacy career almost 20 years ago at the Crisis Center under Davis’s direction after graduating from Kansas State University.
Ray has dedicated her career to ensuring victims and survivors receive quality, trauma-informed care and services. For the past 15 years, Ray served at the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), the membership organization for the Crisis Center and other Kansas sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocacy organizations, where she led state-level efforts to improve cross-system responses and was a key member of KCSDV’s leadership team. Throughout the years, Ray has been integral to the development of new programming, policies, initiatives and partnerships on the state-level and across Kansas. “Kathy’s passion, expertise and leadership abilities make her the perfect candidate to lead the Crisis Center,” said Joyce Grover, KCSDV executive director. “While we are sad to see her leave KCSDV, we are very excited for her and also excited to work with her in this new role,” said Grover.
The Crisis Center is confident that Ray is the right person to lead the organization into the future. “We are very excited to have Kathy take on the role of executive director of the Crisis Center,” said Chris Bailey, Crisis Center board president. “Kathy brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, passion and proven leadership. We are impressed with her extensive knowledge of the communities served by the Crisis Center, her 20 years of work within the sexual assault and domestic violence field, and her strong management and leadership skills. We expect Kathy to not only continue the Crisis Center’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the Crisis Center’s reach to more people in need,” said Bailey.
In addition to statewide initiatives, Ray has worked extensively in communities and with community partners and leaders. Dennis Butler, director of the Riley County Police Department, and Barry Wilkerson, Riley County attorney, have both worked collaboratively with Ray for years. “Kathy Ray is an exceptional choice as the executive director of the Crisis Center. I have had the honor and privilege to work with her on many issues involving domestic violence and sexual assault. This includes both statewide initiatives, as well as local initiatives or issues that have affected victims in Riley County. Her efforts assisting the Riley County Attorney’s office have positively impacted the services victims receive in Riley County and the surrounding areas. Kathy’s knowledge and experience in collaborating with prosecution, law enforcement and medical providers makes her an exceptional choice to lead the Crisis Center. I commend the board of directors in their selection of Kathy Ray as the executive director. I look forward to the energy, ideas and leadership she brings to Riley County and the surrounding counties and communities served by the Crisis Center,” said Wilkerson.
Under Davis’s leadership, the Crisis Center successfully launched a capital campaign to build a new safe shelter. Ray’s first priorities will be completing this initiative as well as working to enhance programs and partnerships.