SPRINGFIELD, IL – Wednesday,
the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault (PCASA) announced the hiring of
Brigid Leahy as its new Executive Director and Barbara Nowack as the Assistant
Director of Fiscal Operations. 

With decades of experience
in advocacy and organizational leadership, Leahy brings commitment to PCASA’s
mission and clients.

“For fifty years, the
Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault has advocated for and provided essential
services to sexual assault survivors and their families in Central Illinois. As
someone who grew up and worked here, I have admired PCASA’s dedication to our
community. I am honored to lead an organization that aims to make our community
safer and stronger,” said Leahy. “When I was deciding on the next step in my
career, I knew that I wanted to work for an organization whose mission shares
my values of equity, empowerment, and personal autonomy. I perform at my best
when I am serving an organization that provides direct mission-based services,
because I can see the mission made real. This is why I am proud to join PCASA.” 

Prior to PCASA, Leahy
spent more than thirty years advocating for reproductive rights and access to
health care and education, most recently as Vice President of Public Policy at
Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. In addition,
she served as treasurer of the Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC. Often
her work intersected with the issue of sexual assault and abuse. Leahy was
instrumental in passing the Illinois law that requires sexual assault treatment
hospitals to inform survivors about emergency contraception. In addition, she
collaborated with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence to ensure that Illinois sexual
health education includes requirements to teach about healthy relationships,
consent, and personal safety. 

Nowack comes to PCASA from
the Sangamon County Advocacy Center where she served as Grants and Finance
Manager. 

“PCASA’s commitment to
survivor centered services appeals to me and is a perfect next step for me,”
said Nowack. “It is satisfying to know that my work supports our counselors and
advocates in assisting people who have experienced trauma. I have immense respect
for our team of counselors, advocates, and educators who are devoted to helping
survivors find security and healing.” 

Nowack worked for numerous
organizations including the Simmons Cancer Institute, the American Lung
Association of the Upper Midwest, and the Illinois Hospital Research and
Education Foundation. 

“As we celebrate PCASA’s
fiftieth anniversary, we are excited to have Brigid as Executive Director and
Barbara managing fiscal operations. Through Brigid’s past work, we know that
she will be a champion of the movement to end sexual assault and a staunch
supporter of sexual assault survivors. Brigid’s experience with management,
budgeting, fundraising, and relationship building will be crucial as PCASA
moves forward,” said Leanne R. Brecklin, Interim President of the Prairie
Center Against Sexual Assault’s Board of Directors and Associate Professor of
Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Illinois Springfield. “In
addition, Barbara’s involvement in non-profit organizations and proficiency
with grant management will help us ensure that PCASA has a solid financial
footing which is essential for PCASA to continue to provide high quality,
survivor centered services.” 

The Prairie Center Against
Sexual Assault supports survivors of sexual violence, promotes healing and
prevention, and creates social change throughout Central Illinois. It is
dedicated to serving as a voice for compassion and justice for victims and a catalyst
for social justice in eleven Illinois counties: Cass, Christian, Greene, Logan,
Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott. It has
offices in Jacksonville, Springfield, and Taylorville. PCASA assists men,
women, children, and families through the trauma of sexual violence by
providing crisis intervention, medical advocacy, and trauma counseling. It
operates a 24/7 hotline: 217-753-8081. PCASA advocates for
victim rights in the law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Its
prevention education programs focus on reducing the likelihood of sexual
victimization, particularly in the lives of children and adolescents.