photo by: Journal-World FIle

Jennifer Ananda stands in front of City Hall on Nov. 27, 2019.

Former Lawrence Mayor Jennifer Ananda has left her position as the executive director of the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center, which serves Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties.

The center announced Ananda’s departure this week on its Facebook page with a message wishing her well.

“It is with a heavy — but hopeful — heart that we celebrate the accomplishments of Jennifer Ananda and wish her well on her next journey,” the post said.

Ananda, who served on the Lawrence City Commission from 2018 to 2022, began her role at the center in January 2023.

The center described that as “a period of great transition.” Ananda’s predecessor, Chrissy Heikkila, had led the center for about 13 years.

The center said Ananda had “stewarded the agency through the transition into our new 330 Maine location; improved staff wages and created additional advocate positions; strengthened internal processes to ensure sustainable programming; and expanded our community partnerships.”

Ananda has taken a job with Grand River Solutions as a Title IX and civil rights investigator. Previously, she had been the Title IX coordinator at Emporia State University.

The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center is currently advertising for a new executive director, listing a salary range of $72,000 to $77,760.