LEWISTON — Safe Voices, the Lewiston-based domestic violence resource center, announces the selection of Elise Johansen as the agency’s new executive director. Johansen was selected after a regional search to replace outgoing Director Jane Morrison, who announced her retirement in January.

Johansen has more than 13 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, from direct service to administration. Recently, she was the executive director at EqualityMaine, the statewide LGBT advocacy organization, where she successfully implemented a new strategic plan following the legalization of same-sex marriage. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in creative writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Johansen begins work Aug. 3, when she will lead Safe Voices’ staff of 28 advocates and educators, as well as more than 60 volunteers, based throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

For more information about Safe Voices, call the administrative office at 207-795-6744. For immediate assistance regarding a domestic violence situation, call 1-800-559-2927.