After top departure, an interim director leads Tennessee’s domestic violence nonprofit

Kathy Walsh, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, attends a legislative hearing in May 2022. Walsh left the Coalition last month after WPLN News and the Tennessee Lookout reported on federal findings of whistleblower retaliation at the nonprofit. Tennessee Legislature photo Kathy Walsh, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, attends a legislative hearing in May 2022. Walsh left the Coalition last month after WPLN News and the Tennessee Lookout reported on federal findings of whistleblower retaliation at the nonprofit. Tennessee Legislature photo

By Natasha Senjanovic / Tennessee Lookout January 19, 2023 2 min read

The Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence has a new, interim head, following the abrupt departure last month of its longtime leader.

Jennifer Escue joined the nonprofit organization two years ago as director of programs. Before that, she spent nearly two decades with Catholic Charities of Tennessee, overseeing programs for refugees resettling to the state.

As interim executive director of the Coalition, Escue takes over from Kathy Walsh, who led the organization for nearly 40 years until December. The Coalition is the leading state advocacy and educational organization for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Walsh left just days after WPLN News and the Tennessee Lookout reported that federal investigators from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found she was involved in forcing out an employee, in 2019, who blew the whistle on potential misuse of grant funds.