1. NCADV Staff Spotlight – September 2015
Dina Coates Koebler
Findingnewandinnovativepathwaystoparticipationforindividuals,groups,small businesses,
foundationsandcorporate entitiesiscritical tothe successof the NCADV.Many people—individually,
and as part of sociallyconsciousorganizationsacrossthe country—are sympathetictothe cause and
choose to Take A Standagainstdomesticviolencebycontributingfinancially.OurIndividualSpotlightfor
SeptemberisDinaCoatesKoebler,NCADV’snew DevelopmentManager.Dinaisresponsibleformaking
that kindof “partnershipinthe cause”as easy,efficientandeffectiveaspossible.
Dinahas spentherentire careerinthe non-profitworldservingasbothdirectservice providerand
executivedirectorspecializinginprogramdevelopment,eventmanagement,donorstewardship,and
grant writing.Atthe beginningof hercareershe servedasthe children’sservicescoordinatorforthe
IllinoisCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence,enablinghertoworkin over50 sheltersstatewide.
“I was onthe frontlinesof the grassrootsdomesticviolence movementinthe eighties.Now Iam
involvedinaveryexcitingtime inNCADV’shistoryaswe are movingforwardintoa new era,fullystaffed
withcommitted,talentedadvocatesanda renewedsense of planandpurpose.”Dinasharesour
collective enthusiasmaboutthe implementationof the new strategicplan.“Itisrewardingbe able to
utilize myexpertiseatthistime andinthisway to benefitvictimsandsurvivorsonanational level.”
AfterattendingWesternIllinoisUniversity forherundergraduate degree Dinaobtainedmediation
certificationsinbothfamilyanddomesticviolence mediationfromthe Universityof Wisconsin.ForDina,
like manyof us active inthisfield,hercommitmenttothe workisgroundedinpersonal experience.“As
a DV survivormyhearthurts that womenandchildrenare still subjectedtoabuse bytheirpartnersand
insome instancesthe entitiesthatare meantto assistthem.”
Dina’sconnectiontothe workis personal and,byvirtue of heryearsof experience workingwith
survivorsandservice providers,deeplyinformed.“Dinahasthe abilitytoreally‘connectthe dots’for
people,”saysNCADV ExecutiveDirectorRuthGlenn.“Helpingdonorsandsupporterstounderstandwhy
theircontributionsare soimportantisabsolutelycritical tothe workwe’re doinghere.Dinadoesthatso
effectively.We’re reallyfortunatetohave heronthe team.”
Dinasays, “For me,the mostimportantthingwe’re doinghere isleadingthe national dialogueon
domesticviolence and hopefullyhavingadirectand lastingimpactonour culture.Of course,that’sjust
part of whatwe’re doing,and‘findingthe meanstofundthe mission’isanongoingchallenge.”One of
the way’swe’re helpingothershelpusisthroughdirectcontributionswhichcanbe as simple assending
a textmessage.Forexample,supporterscantake partin the Take A Stand initiative viaNCADV’sfirst
mobile campaign.Supporterscansimplytext“takeastand”to41444 and make a donationonthe spotto
supportour effortsinthe fieldsof education,advocacy,programmingandpublicpolicy.“Makinga
difference can’tgetmucheasierthanthat.”
For more informationonhowyoucan partnerwithNCADV or offeryoursupport,contactDina directly
at any time:dcoates@ncadv.org