Breaking the Cycle: Leadership, Care, and Change

Video Description

In this episode of the Jaél Podcast, Jaél sits down with Liz Roberts, CEO of @SafeHorizonNY , the largest victim services organization in the United States, for a powerful conversation about trauma-informed leadership, survivor-centered systems, and what it truly means to support survivors at scale. Liz Roberts is a social worker with more than 30 years of experience addressing the needs of survivors of violence and abuse. Before becoming CEO of Safe Horizon, she served as a Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, and began her career providing direct services as a grassroots shelter and hotline worker, children’s advocate, and trauma therapist. Her work bridges frontline experience with systems-level leadership. Drawing from decades of experience in victim advocacy and social justice, Liz shares her journey into this work, the evolution of Safe Horizon, and the critical gaps that still exist in how institutions respond to people experiencing abuse, violence, and trauma. Together, they explore the realities survivors face when seeking help, the importance of being believed, and why systems must be designed with dignity, humanity, and accountability at their core. This conversation also examines the emotional weight carried by those working on the front lines of advocacy, the responsibility of leadership in moments of crisis, and the long-term cultural shifts needed to create safer, more responsive communities. This episode is about visibility, responsibility, and the quiet, necessary work of building systems that truly serve those most impacted. 🔍 In this episode, we explore: What it means to lead the largest victim services agency in the U.S. How survivors experience institutional response - and where systems fall short Why being believed is foundational to healing and justice The emotional and ethical responsibility of trauma-informed leadership How advocacy, policy, and human connection intersect The future of survivor-centered systems of care Resources & Support If you or someone you know is living with violence, coercion, or exploitation, confidential support is available 24/7. 📞 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE) 🌐 safehorizon.org — resources, advocacy, and safety planning CONNECT WITH JAEL Website ➡️ http://jaeldepardo.com Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/jaeldepardo/ X ➡️ https://x.com/Jaeldepardo Business & Media Inquiries: 📧 [email protected] 📌 About the Jaél Podcast: The Jaél Podcast features conversations with experts, visionaries, creators, and survivors — exploring resilience, insight, and the journey from challenge to strength. Each episode offers insight, clarity, and thoughtful dialogue designed to help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. 🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on psychology, trauma recovery, personal growth, and empowerment after challenges and abuse. Subscribe ➡️ youtube.com/channel/UCThaaEsisQgEGgTZEclwjmg?sub_confirmation=1 Channel ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@JaélPresents The information on this YouTube Channel and the resources available are for educational and informational purposes only. #SurvivorCenteredSupport #VictimServices #DomesticViolenceSupport #TraumaInformedLeadership #PsychologicalAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #TraumaInformedCare #SurvivorAdvocacy #TraumaRecovery #AbuseRecovery #SystemsOfCare #VictimAdvocacy #SafeHorizon #NonprofitLeadership #SocialWorkLeadership #JaelPodcast #JaelDePardo #SurvivorStoriesPodcast #AdvocacyPodcast #CoerciveControl #SurvivorCenteredSystems #DomesticViolenceServices #BreakingTheCycle #SystemsChangeLeadership