New Hope for Women, Midcoast Maine’s only domestic violence resource center since 1981, according to New Hope, in a news release, has recently added a member to its board of directors and a new staff member to its leadership team.

Jane McDonnell is a digital media leader and innovator with a long history of creating and supporting digital journalism in the commercial, independent and nonprofit worlds. She is currently president of free range media LLC (note: cq) where she advises nonprofit media organizations on long-term strategy, sustainability and scale, fundraising and revenue generation, managing change, digital/tech transformation, board development, cultural
inclusion and diversity hiring.

McDonnell previously served as the executive director of the Online News Association (ONA) where, along with overseeing daily operations, she launched ONA Local, the Women’s Leadership Accelerator. She was also consulting senior editor for the Project for Excellence in Journalism’s 2008 State of the News Media Report, started Public Access Journalism, the first independent editorial company funded by foundations, and served as managing editor at Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

McDonnell currently serves as Board Co-Chair of the national Student Press Law Center and lives with her husband and dog in Midcoast Maine.

Rebekah Shaw is New Hope for Women’s System Advocacy & Outreach Director. Shaw has spent over five years as a domestic violence resource center advocate. Prior to relocating to the Midcoast, Shaw worked as an advocate in Aroostook County. She has been with New Hope for Women for over a year and, in her role as Community and Legal Advocate, has supported survivors throughout civil legal court processes.

Throughout her career, she has provided multi-faceted support to survivors including safety planning, obtaining shelter, and working with community resources including Child Protective Services. She has experience developing and delivering trainings and presentations to a wide variety of audiences.

Shaw is passionate about connecting with survivors and helping others understand the dynamics of domestic violence.

For more information regarding New Hope for Women’s services, visit newhopeforwomen.org or call (207) 594-2128.