The Safe & Sound Board of Directors is pleased to announce Katie Sanders has been named Executive Director. Katie will lead the organization in its efforts to make Milwaukee’s neighborhoods safe places to live, work and raise families. She has been serving as Interim Executive Director since December 2013 and joined Safe & Sound in May 2013 as Development and Marketing Director

“Katie has demonstrated exceptional leadership since joining Safe & Sound and most recently in guiding the organization through a leadership transition. She’s talented, strategic and not afraid to ask the tough questions,” remarked Board Chair Kimberly Kane. “After an extensive search, we recognized Katie as the right candidate to lead Safe & Sound.”

Sanders replaces Barbara Notestein, who left in December after eleven years with the organization.

“I am thrilled and honored to serve Safe & Sound in this capacity. Safe & Sound is doing incredible work to improve safety and quality of life in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.” Sanders said. “This is an exciting time for us as we are engaged in a strategic planning process that will strengthen our ability to work with residents, youth and partners to build and sustain safe and vibrant communities in this wonderful city. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to such an important mission.”

A Milwaukee native, Katie Sanders holds a master’s degree from the LaFollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also completed her bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. Prior to joining Safe & Sound, Katie held positions with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, where she oversaw all institutional support, and most recently with Marquette University as director of corporate and foundation relations.

Founded in 1998, Safe & Sound is a nonprofit organization committed to the mission of reducing violent crime in Milwaukee communities and among youth by blending partnerships with law enforcement, community organizing, and youth development. Safe & Sound’s $2.1 million budget supports the Community Partners Program that bridges public and private stakeholders to bring solutions to neighborhood problems.  Safe & Sound also supports a Drug Free Community Coalition in Milwaukee’s 27^th Street West Neighborhood. It is a strategic partner of the Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the City of Milwaukee’s Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant in Washington Park, Zilber Neighborhood Initiative, and other efforts. The organization also supports a network of afterschool Safe Places throughout high crime, low-income neighborhoods in order to provide youth with positive development alternatives during the afterschool and summer hours when crime and violence are more likely to occur.