Melissa Graves: President, The Center for Family Safety and Healing

Melissa Graves is the president of The Center for Family Safety and Healing (TCFSH) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to addressing family violence. She is a nationally recognized leader with more than 25 years of experience guiding nonprofit organizations focused on health equity for children and families.

In her role as president of TCFSH, Melissa works closely with local advocates and community partners, including Franklin County Children’s Services, Columbus Division of Police, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, the Columbus City Attorney’s Office, Ohio Domestic Violence Network, Community Shelter Board, LSS CHOICES, and a diverse group of community organizations to address all aspects of family violence, including child abuse and neglect, teen dating abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.

Prior to joining TCFSH, she served as CEO for Journey Center for Safety and Healing in Cleveland which assists 15,000 women, children and families experiencing child abuse and domestic violence each year. During her tenure at Journey Center, the organization launched the first successful child advocacy center in Cuyahoga County.

She has also served in a variety of leadership roles at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area including nine years as the organization’s chief executive officer. This multi-jurisdictional human services agency serves some of the most vulnerable children and families in the Washington, D.C. metro region through adoption, foster care, refugee resettlement, employment, caregiver support and HIV/AIDS programs.