DVSSP News

The Board of Directors of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) has announced the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Lisa G. Hannum, effective Jan. 24, 2024. 

Lisa G. Hannum

Hannum’s retirement date is exactly 19 years after she joined the agency in 2005 as a part-time volunteer coordinator. Hannum was soon promoted to full-time education and training coordinator, and in 2015 she was named DVSSP’s first director of operations. In 2019, Hannum became executive director of DVSSP, and in 2020 her title was changed to CEO. 

Under Hannum’s leadership, DVSSP has grown significantly with an emphasis on the areas of prevention, housing, and community outreach. Hannum also led the relocation of the agency headquarters to Brownsville, PA, which is a more central location for DVSSP’s tri-county service area. 

New CEO

With Hannum’s retirement, Megan Hegedus has been named DVSSP’s new CEO. Hegedus started her career with DVSSP in 2000 as a children’s advocate at the Washington Safe House. Over the past 24 years, she has held a variety of leadership roles across DVSSP's service area of Washington, Greene, and Fayette counties, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer. Hegedus is a native of Cecil Township, PA, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Carlow University. “Megan is well-prepared for this position, having spent almost her entire career at DVSSP, in a variety of roles in different parts of the organization,” said Hannum. “She is a compassionate but strong leader, and she is the right person to lead DVSSP into the future.”

Leadership Team

As part of DVSSP’s leadership change, Alexandra Brooks and Maggie Novotny have both been named Senior Director of Operations. 

Brooks has been with DVSSP since 2013, and most recently served as Director of Prevention. Novotny has been with DVSSP since 2008, and most recently served as Director of Client Services. Brooks and Novotny will share the responsibilities of the COO position, with Brooks overseeing operations in Prevention & Outreach and Novotny overseeing direct service operations.

Additionally, Carol Willison has been named Senior Director of Administration & Finance. Willison began her career with DVSSP in 2002 as an Administrative Assistant, and in 2018, she was promoted to Executive Coordinator, overseeing the agency’s fiscal department. Today, Willison continues with DVSSP in the same capacity, with a title change that better represents her senior position and responsibilities. 

A transition plan has been in place for several months, and Hannum and Hegedus have been meeting regularly to transfer knowledge and review responsibilities to ensure a seamless transition.