Throughout this year, we will be highlighting individuals or groups that have impacted our work over the last 50 years.

Emily Austin

Former POV Staff member

Emily Austin joined Peace Over Violence in 2008. After graduating from law school, she worked with POV and the California Women’s Law Center on developing school-based teen dating violence response and prevention policy. POV’s dedication to policy advocacy and systems change provided for amazing personal growth and an opportunity to focus on prevention strategies. She became the Director of Prevention and then the Director of Policy and Evaluation during her eight years at POV. She was able to work with the POV team to revise the In Touch With Teens Curriculum, develop the Be Strong curriculum, advocate for state policy changes, and engage on the national stage in the areas of community organizing, prevention, and policy. Also, during her time at POV she had four delightful children.

After leaving POV, Emily joined ValorUS (formerly CALCASA), a national organization committed to advancing equity and ending sexual violence. As the Director of Advocacy, she supported policy work in the state and worked on systems change projects in California in the areas of campus, military, incarcerated/prison systems, and trafficking. In 2019, Emily founded Pivot Advocacy, PC a consulting firm supporting advocacy and systems change to end gender-based violence and promote equity. She continues to work in California and nationally to center the voice of those most marginalized, spread the tenants of trauma-informed care, and challenge systems and institutions to create lasting change to end violence.

"Peace Over Violence was critical in shaping my career and passions for preventing gender-based violence, working with youth, and creating lasting change through policy and advocacy. This organization nurtures the understanding that violence is not inevitable and that we can shift the institutions, systems, and norms to end all forms of violence."