KATHLEEN A. WELLS
Athens,Alabama
Summary
Accomplished leader and dedicated community advocate with a proven track record of service, recognition, and impactful contributions. Honored by multiple organizations for excellence in leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to education and social causes. Demonstrates outstanding dedication to empowering others, fostering positive change, and advancing the well-being of families and communities.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Grant Writer, Human Resources
Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc. (Retired)
01.2018 - 01.2025
- Manage grant writing, human resources, and payroll functions for the agency.
Interim Executive Director – Part-time, temporary
Athens Limestone County Family Resource Center
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Manage day-to-day center operations; grant-writing, financial management.
Consultant
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Montgomery, Alabama
01.2013 - 01.2013
- Responsible for coordinated policy and system change projects supported by ACADV; and facilitating Coordinated Community Response and System Change initiatives in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.
Executive Director
SafeHouse of Shelby County, Inc.
Columbiana, Alabama
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Responsible for overall direction and management of SafeHouse of Shelby County serving Shelby, Clay and Coosa Counties of Alabama. Programs included safe shelter and transitional housing, court advocacy, victim advocacy and other services to domestic violence victims. Programs included safe shelter, court advocacy, victim advocacy, legal assistance and other services to domestic violence victims; crisis services including a 24-hour crisis line; volunteer services; community education and professional training on domestic violence; community services providing information and referrals. legislative advocacy public speaking, public relations and media relations.
Managing Director, Gifts and Community Support
Family Tree, Inc.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Executive level position responsible for leading all Family Tree community support activities, including grants administration, individual, corporate, civic, foundation, major and planned gifts; public relations and marketing; volunteer services; donor database administration; special events; thrift store; and direct mail. and restricted funding to support the organization through a team of professionals.
Director of Community Relations
University of Colorado at Denver
Denver, Colorado
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Responsible for grant research and writing; recruiting students to national master’s program on domestic violence organizational management and policy development; facilitating and teaching modules in intensive sessions of Masters Program.
Public Policy Director
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Montgomery, Alabama
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Responsible for analyzing and developing public policy responses to domestic violence in Alabama; coordinating and supervising the health and legal responses to domestic violence; conducting speaking engagements, workshops and other public activities on behalf of ACADV; provide legislative advocacy; and provide support for the ACADV Legislative Committee; serve as project manager for ACADV’s Grant to Encourage Arrest funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Office of Justice Programs, U. S. Department of Justice; supervise development, implementation, scheduling and presentation of ACADV training activities.
Executive Director
Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc. (Merger of HOPE Place and HELPline)
Huntsville, AL
01.1995 - 01.2003
- Responsible for overall direction and management of Crisis Services of North Alabama (merger of HOPE Place and HELPline), serving Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan Counties of Alabama; legislative advocacy public speaking, public relations and conducting numerous television and radio interviews. Programs included safe shelter, court advocacy, victim advocacy, legal assistance and other services to domestic violence victims; crisis services including a 24-hour crisis line; rape response/sexual assault services; volunteer services; community education and professional training on domestic violence and sexual assault; community services providing information and referrals. legislative advocacy public speaking, public relations and conducting numerous television and radio interviews.
Executive Director
HOPE Place, Inc.
Huntsville, Alabama
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Responsible for overall direction and management of HOPE Place, including shelter operations, court advocacy, legal assistance program, community outreach, grant writing and fund development, budgeting and administration, professional training, community education, public speaking, public relations, and providing legislative advocacy
Project Director
National Training Program on Effective Treatment Approaches in Child Sexual Abuse, National Children’s Advocacy Center
Huntsville, Alabama
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Responsible for overall direction and management of federally funded projects including budgeting and administration, developing and implementing training of trainers program, locating and coordinating national training sites, developing comprehensive curriculum and reference-based training materials and developing and coordinating satellite video-conferences.
Assistant Director
National Resource Center on Child Sexual Abuse, National Children’s Advocacy Center
Huntsville, Alabama
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Responsible for assisting the director with day-to-day operations and coordinating with collaborating agencies and federal funding agency, lead responsibility for all training activities including developing curricula and training materials, facilitating training activities, budgeting and administration and grant writing.
Education
M.P.A. - Domestic Violence Concentration
University of Colorado at Denver, Graduate School of Public Affairs
01-2005
B. A. - Communication Arts, Cognate in Business Management Studies
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Communication Arts
01-1988
A.A.S. - Transportation Management
John C. Calhoun Community College, Management Studies
01-1985
ACTIVITIES
Founding Member, Alabama 2008-2013Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) Board of Director, ACADV 2026-present; Co-Chair, Legislative Committee 2026 Board of Directors, ACADV (1995-2003, 2008-2013); President, ACADV (1996-1998) Board of Directors, Alabama Coalition Against Sexual Violence (2000-2003, 2008-2013) Membership Representative, One Roof (formerly Metropolitan Birmingham Services for the Homeless) Board of Directors (2010-2014); Secretary (2011-2014) North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (1995-2003) Limestone County Department of Human Resources, QA Committee (2015 - 2018) Board of Directors, Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (2005) Governor’s Domestic Violence Advisory Council (1997-1998) 211 Statewide Steering Committee (2002-2003) Leadership Huntsville/Madison County (2001-2002) Co-Chair, Madison County Coordinating Council on Families & Children (2003); Executive Committee (2002) Children’s Policy Council, Madison County, AL (2001-2003) Women’s Economic Development Council, Huntsville, AL (2003 – 2007) United Way Executive Directors Association, Huntsville, AL (1995-2003) Pastoral Council, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Madison, AL (2002-2003) Founding Member, HOPE Place, Inc. HOPE Place Board of Directors (1984-1989, 1990-1993); President (1985, 1992) Founding Member, Alabama 2008-2013Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) Board of Director, ACADV 2026-present; Co-Chair, Legislative Committee 2026 Board of Directors, ACADV (1995-2003, 2008-2013); President, ACADV (1996-1998) Board of Directors, Alabama Coalition Against Sexual Violence (2000-2003, 2008-2013) Membership Representative, One Roof (formerly Metropolitan Birmingham Services for the Homeless) Board of Directors (2010-2014); Secretary (2011-2014) North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (1995-2003) Limestone County Department of Human Resources, QA Committee (2015 - 2018) Board of Directors, Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (2005) Governor’s Domestic Violence Advisory Council (1997-1998) 211 Statewide Steering Committee (2002-2003) Leadership Huntsville/Madison County (2001-2002) Co-Chair, Madison County Coordinating Council on Families & Children (2003); Executive Committee (2002) Children’s Policy Council, Madison County, AL (2001-2003) Women’s Economic Development Council, Huntsville, AL (2003 – 2007) United Way Executive Directors Association, Huntsville, AL (1995-2003) Pastoral Council, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Madison, AL (2002-2003) Founding Member, HOPE Place, Inc. HOPE Place Board of Directors (1984-1989, 1990-1993); President (1985, 1992)
Timeline
Grant Writer, Human Resources
Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc. (Retired)
01.2018 - 01.2025
Interim Executive Director – Part-time, temporary
Athens Limestone County Family Resource Center
01.2015 - 01.2016
Consultant
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
01.2013 - 01.2013
Executive Director
SafeHouse of Shelby County, Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2013
Managing Director, Gifts and Community Support
Family Tree, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2008
Director of Community Relations
University of Colorado at Denver
01.2005 - 01.2006
Public Policy Director
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
01.2003 - 01.2005
Executive Director
Crisis Services of North Alabama, Inc. (Merger of HOPE Place and HELPline)
01.1995 - 01.2003
Executive Director
HOPE Place, Inc.
01.1995 - 01.1998
Project Director
National Training Program on Effective Treatment Approaches in Child Sexual Abuse, National Children’s Advocacy Center
01.1992 - 01.1994
Assistant Director
National Resource Center on Child Sexual Abuse, National Children’s Advocacy Center
01.1992 - 01.1994
B. A. - Communication Arts, Cognate in Business Management Studies
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Communication Arts
A.A.S. - Transportation Management
John C. Calhoun Community College, Management Studies
M.P.A. - Domestic Violence Concentration
University of Colorado at Denver, Graduate School of Public Affairs
HONORS AND AWARDS
St. Ann’s Catholic School, Distinguished Alumni, Hall of Honor (2022), Women’s Exchange Profiles, Outstanding Women Leaders in Alabama (2004), Leadership Award, United Way of Huntsville/Madison County (2003), Distinguished Graduate Award, National Catholic Education Association (2001), HOPE Place Volunteer of the Year (1992), U.S. Department of Justice Recognition for Outstanding Dedication and Service to Crime Victims (1990), Alabama Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to Families (1987), Morgan County Volunteer of the Year for Continuous Service (1987), General Motors Award for Excellence in Community Activities (1980)