Elizabeth Wessels Martin

Elizabeth Martin is the President/Chief Empowerment Officer for The Center for Women and Families, serving victims of domestic, interpersonal, and sexual violence in 7 counties in Kentucky and two counties in Southern Indiana. Elizabeth has an extensive career in senior management, developing programs and expanding services to meet the needs of children and families who have suffered trauma related to violence, oppression, racism, and poverty throughout the state of Kentucky.

She is a longtime resident of Louisville and a graduate of Kent School of Social Work - University of Louisville, where she earned a master's in the science of social work. Her social work career began in 1987 at Northern KY. Comprehensive Care Center in Covington, KY, where she was on the planning team developing community-based and outpatient behavioral programs. She later worked in the inpatient unit with young adolescents. When Jefferson Hospital in Southern Indiana opened in 1986, she was recruited to assist with opening its first adult psychiatric unit. She later developed the extended care psychiatric unit for adolescents. Elizabeth obtained her license in clinical social work in 1995 while working with convicted adult male sex offenders in her outpatient private practice. She held a clinical license in Kentucky and Indiana and had private practice in both states, specializing in women's issues and trauma work with adults and children.

From 1996 to 2012, Elizabeth held executive leadership positions at Brooklawn Child and Family Services and Sunrise Children's Services. Before becoming the President and CEO of The Center for Women and Families, Elizabeth was recruited as the Vice President for Business Development for Care Guide Partners, an affiliate of Hosparus Health, Inc.