Women Aware recently announced the appointment of Amy Broidrick as a member of its Board of Trustees. With an accomplished career in the pharmaceutical industry spanning 30 years, Ms. Broidrick is currently serving as a strategic advisor to public and private US and international pharmaceutical and biotech companies and start-ups. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Logix Biosciences.

In 2020, Ms. Broidrick was appointed as an independent, non-executive director to the Board of Qualigen Therapeutics, a Nasdaq listed clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing rare cancer therapeutics, where she later served as President, and Board Director from 2021-2023. Prior to Qualigen, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at Viking Therapeutics responsible for US and global corporate and business development functions. Previously, she was Vice President and Head of Global Marketing Excellence and Business Innovation at EMD Serono (part of Merck KGaA). From 2010 to 2012, Ms. Broidrick was Vice President and Head of Marketing and Commercialization at Arena Pharmaceuticals. She also held various roles at Merck & Co., including Global Brand Leader with P&L accountability.

“Amy brings strategic thinking, experience in board service and a personal commitment to improving the lives of victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children to Women Aware’s Board of Trustees,” said Board President Diane Palmer. “Her invaluable experience will help guide and support our goals to expand capacity and advance our mission. Amy joins the board at an exciting time and we are pleased to welcome her.”

Ms. Broidrick earned her B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). She completed studies at Wroxton College, England, and post-graduate coursework at FDU.

“Every adult and child deserves a safe life free of violence, with access to knowledge, shelter, educational services and healthcare,” stated Ms. Broidrick. “I am deeply moved by the positive impact of Women Aware across Middlesex County for many victim-survivors and children by listening and finding solutions, sheltering, and aiming to transform lives on a daily basis. I have seen the ravaging effect of domestic violence in loved ones and want to contribute to support survivors to move beyond abuse toward safe, self-sufficient and productive lives.”

Krystina’s commitment to victim-survivors of domestic violence stands the test of time. Having been involved a domestic violence volunteer for many years, Krystina joined the Women Aware Domestic Violence Response Team in 2022. Her work with victim-survivors of domestic violence is important because she has seen firsthand the impact it has. In terrible situations, Krystina believes even the slightest bit of information can empower a survivor and help move them beyond abuse.

When she meets with victims at the police station, Krystina brings a sense of security and optimism, encouraging them to take advantage of the services Women Aware offers, programs that help survivors to heal, gain their independence, and free themselves from an abusive situation. Krystina believes the best part of her service is advocating for victims. She recognizes that having to work with police officers and within the legal process and court system can be incredibly intimidating. She provides assurance that Women Aware is here to help navigate a difficult situation.

One case stands out in her memory. “There was a young man, approximately 20 years old, who ran out of his house in the middle of January trying to escape his abusive father.  He had no shoes, no jacket and no cell phone.  This victim had no family to assist him. He would Uber to and from work every day and pay to stay at a hotel for the night, because he had no other place to go.  This young man literally had all his chips stacked against him.  If I could have given him a chance and a roof over his head, I would have.  My heart hurt for this young man.” Krystina was glad to be in a position to connect the young man with Women Aware for supportive services.

Krystina’s other interests include crafty do-it-yourself projects in her home. At the end of the day, she enjoys sitting on her patio, enjoying the Zen of the lake behind her house, and admiring the fruits of her labor.

Women Aware recently announced the appointment of Diane Johnson to its Board of Trustees.

After 30 years of service, Ms. Johnson retired from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Victim/Witness Unit, in December 2022. In her role as Victim Witness Coordinator, she managed the support and assistance provided to survivors of crime. She collaborated with local partner agencies, including Women Aware, to ensure comprehensive services were offered to all survivors. Additionally, Ms. Johnson served as a committee member for the Women Aware Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk over the past two years.

“Diane brings decades of experience serving victim-survivors to Women Aware’s Board,” said Board President Diane Palmer. “She is truly a like-minded partner when it comes to providing crisis intervention and long-term supportive services to victim-survivors and their families. We welcome Diane’s enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to moving survivors beyond abuse in Middlesex County.”

Ms. Johnson earned her B.A. from Rutgers University, Douglass College, and an M.A. from Montclair State University. She began her career in social services at Catholic Charities, Partial Care Program, where she worked with at-risk youth and their families.

In her spare time, Ms. Johnson enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting with family and friends, and substituting at Saint Matthias School in Somerset.

“Serving on the Board is important to me. As an advocate for crime victims, I have seen firsthand the abundant services Women Aware provides to survivors and families affected by DV,” said Diane. “Fostering a culture of safety and hope for survivors corresponds to my belief of ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’ I join others on the Board in the ongoing advocacy to promote access to services and support best practices for all DV survivors.”

A dedicated volunteer with Women Aware for over 12 years, Carol parlayed experience as a volunteer peer group leader with Women Helping Women in Metuchen into service as a Domestic Violence Response Team volunteer for Women Aware. With compassion and common sense, Carol conveys to victim-survivors that she is someone who cares about their safety and is willing to listen without judgement. For Carol, safety planning with every survivor is key. Safety planning helps prepare the survivor if the abuser is no longer in the home, but also allows the survivor to be prepared if they return home to the abuser and need to escape in the future.

The best part of Carol’s volunteer service are the people. She feels Women Aware staff support her in every way, from debriefing after a tough encounter to laughing and hugging when they connect at an agency event. Carol speaks highly of the South Brunswick Police Department (SBPD) because they treat victims with compassion and are knowledgeable about the process a victim has to go through; she feels supported and appreciated when she is called out to SBPD headquarters. That being said, the victim-survivors are whom Carol remembers most. “Every time I go to headquarters, it is because a victim has taken a step toward saving their own life.”

Carol will always remember one client.  The victim was brought to police headquarters when police responded to a call. The victim believed it was her neighbors who called police during a particularly loud and abusive episode with her husband. She wanted to shield her son from knowing she was at the police station, yet Carol pleaded with the victim to let the police pick him up for his own safety. She declined, but then found out it was actually her son who had called the police. The victim agreed the police could go to her home to check on her son. While Carol and the victim waited for the police to return with her son, he walked into the police station, accompanied by his father. As the husband tried to convince police he was the victim, Carol reassured her the abuser would not be able to trick the police. “The irony of that day stays with me.”

Carol is proud to be a New Jersey realtor, who enjoys working with first-time home buyers and helping them achieve the American Dream. She also enjoys working with sellers who are transitioning to a larger home or downsizing. Carol loves “old school” R&B music and is a big fan of comedy.