photo by: The Willow Domestic Violence Center

Jessica Beeson

The Willow Domestic Violence Center’s board of trustees has appointed a new permanent executive director.

In a news release Monday, the Willow announced that Jessica Beeson was chosen for the role. Beeson joined the organization in 2018 and has served as the Willow’s interim director for about the past year. She previously spent time serving in two other roles, director of operations and director of volunteer services.

“The Willow is an incredible agency with dedicated, compassionate staff and board members,” Beeson said in the release. “I am humbled, honored and incredibly excited to be the executive director. I look forward to stewarding the Willow’s mission of creating a safe place for all survivors and educating our communities to break cycles of violence.”

In addition to her previous work at the Willow, Beeson also spent nearly 10 years as director of alumni and external relations for the University of Kansas’ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Lawrence school board from 2015 to 2020.

Beeson’s appointment ends the yearlong search since the Willow’s last permanent director, Megan Harrison, left the position. As the Journal-World reported, it wasn’t clear as of late April 2023 when or why Harrison left the position.