Spokesperson Biographies

Carole Alexander
Executive Director

Carole Alexander has been the executive director of House Of Ruth Maryland since 1983. During her tenure, Carole has provided leadership for significant growth of programs and advocacy initiatives to prevent domestic violence and to intervene on behalf of battered women and their children. She has directed House Of Ruth in several expansion efforts including the development of the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic that is unique in providing legal representation to battered women throughout the state of Maryland.

Other initiatives that Carole has spearheaded include The Clemency Project and legislative reform, and coordinating the construction of a new shelter and transitional housing program for 84 women and children including oversight for the 20th Year Campaign for Shelter and Services, which raised more than $10.3 million for capital and endowment.

Prior to joining House Of Ruth, Carole served more than 13 years as an administrator for the Department of Children and Family Services in Chicago, Illinois. For two years, Carole was director of adoption services for Chicago Foundlings Home. Carole has also consulted for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; The Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies; University of Maryland School of Social Work; The League of Theaters in Chicago; Community Research Center, Champaign, Illinois; and Cosmos Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Carole earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree in social welfare policy from the University of Chicago.

 

Brenda Brown Rever
Board Member and Chairwoman of "A Line In The Sand"

Brenda Brown Rever has served on the board of directors for House Of Ruth Maryland since 1994. During that time, she served as co-vice president of the board and she co-chaired a $10 million capital campaign to build an 84 bed shelter for the organization - exceeding the set goal of $9 million. Brenda currently chairs "A Line in the Sand," House Of Ruth's traveling photo/essay exhibit that commemorates the fight to end domestic violence in Maryland and the people who have led the way.

Brenda has dedicated herself to the pursuit of helping organizations unable to obtain funding from conventional sources to achieve their objectives via the private sector. Respectfully known as 'a force of nature' when she sets out to do something, Brenda will move mountains to provide opportunities for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The six extended stay apartments in the shelter are named after her for her generous personal support, both financially and through her advocacy. She has been and still is a loyal friend and advocate of House Of Ruth and the thousands of women and children the organization serves.

In addition to her work with House Of Ruth, in 1995 Brenda founded CHANA which stands for Counseling, Helpline and Aid Network for Abused Women. CHANA is a program of the Women's Department of THE ASSOCIATED, in cooperation with Jewish Family Services and House Of Ruth. CHANA was founded to help deal with the problem of domestic violence in the Jewish Community and its services include a helpline and shelter.

Brenda felt it was important that Jewish women who were in abusive situations needed a safe house that was kosher and that they felt was culturally comfortable and familiar. Through Brenda's efforts and advocacy, a partnership was created between House Of Ruth and Jewish Family Services, under the auspices of the Women's Department of THE ASSOCIATED; a safe house was donated and hundreds of volunteers were trained to support shelter residents, staff the helpline and speak at Jewish organizations.

 

Kerri Wojciechowski
Associate Director of Community Relations

Kerri Wojciechowski is associate director of community relations for House Of Ruth Maryland. In her role, Kerri is responsible for implementing House Of Ruth's two signature events, the Spring Luncheon and Crabaret. She also oversees volunteer recruitment and training, individual and corporate giving, and foundation relations with organizations such as United Way to secure funding for community outreach and education.

Now in her third year with House Of Ruth, Kerri is helping to spearhead the planning, development, and launch of "A Line In The Sand," the organization's traveling photo/essay exhibit that commemorates the fight to end domestic violence in Maryland and the people who have led the way.

Prior to joining House Of Ruth Maryland, Kerri was employed with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Department of the Army. Kerri earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Towson University. She earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore.