Rose Brooks Center is proud to announce that CEO Lisa Fleming has been named Executive of the Year in the 2026 Purple Ribbon Awards presented by DomesticShelters.org, a national honor recognizing leaders making an extraordinary impact in the field of domestic violence advocacy and survivor support.
This recognition highlights Lisa Flemingâs decades of leadership in domestic violence services and her commitment to strengthening safety for survivors in Kansas City and beyond.
Leadership in Domestic Violence Advocacy and Survivor Support
As CEO of Rose Brooks Center, a leading Kansas City domestic violence shelter and advocacy organization, Lisa has helped shape innovative, survivor-centered programs while advancing policies that improve community safety. Her leadership has strengthened coordinated responses to domestic violence locally and influenced best practices nationally.
Jackson County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Leadership
One of Lisaâs most significant contributions has been helping launch the Jackson County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Panel, the first county-led domestic violence fatality review of its kind in Missouri. This collaborative effort brings together advocates, policymakers, law enforcement, and community partners to examine domestic violence deaths, identify systemic gaps, and improve prevention efforts that can save lives.
Innovative Domestic Violence Shelter Programs for Survivors and Their Pets
Lisa has also championed groundbreaking innovations in survivor care. Under her leadership, Rose Brooks Center became the first domestic violence shelter in the region to welcome pets, addressing a critical barrier that often prevents survivors from leaving abusive situations. In 2025 alone, the program provided over 2,200 nights of safe shelter for pets to heal alongside survivors.
Measurable Growth in Domestic Violence Services at Rose Brooks Center
Lisa Flemingâs leadership has also delivered measurable organizational growth. Since becoming CEO in 2021, Rose Brooks Center has increased organizational revenue and strengthened long-term sustainability for life-saving domestic violence services. During periods of significant federal funding uncertainty, Lisa helped ensure uninterrupted care for survivors and their families.
Hands-On Leadership in Crisis Response and Victim Services Advocacy
Her leadership is not only strategic; it is deeply personal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa helped coordinate the relocation of shelter residents into individualized accommodations to protect their health and safety. During a severe winter storm, staff arrived to find her outside clearing pathways so employees, residents, and emergency responders could safely access shelter. She has also advocated at the city, state, and national levels, traveling to Washington, D.C. to urge lawmakers to protect essential victim services funding.
Purple Ribbon Award Recognition for Leadership in Ending Domestic Violence
The Purple Ribbon Awards from DomesticShelters.org celebrate leaders advancing the movement to end domestic violence, and this recognition reflects the extraordinary impact Lisa Fleming continues to make through her leadership at Rose Brooks Center.
For survivors seeking safety, for families rebuilding their lives, and for the communities working to end domestic violence, Lisaâs work continues to create lasting change.
Please join us in celebrating Lisa Fleming and this well-deserved national recognition! Learn more about the 2026 Purple Ribbon Awards.
