The South Peninsula Haven House Board of Directors announced last Monday that it has named Melissa (Missi) White as its new executive director effective June 1.

White brings a wealth of collaborative experiences to Haven House reflecting two decades of military service, academic excellence and volunteer out-reach, said board president Terry Thompson.

“I am elated about the opportunity to join the ongoing efforts at Haven House and humbled to be part of a team that has already accomplished so much in pursuit of eliminating domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” White said in a press release.

White served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 23 years and completed her doctorate with Walden University in 2013. Her volunteer experience includes rape crisis first response, online crisis intervention with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, and animal advocacy and rescue. She also has been affiliated with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program at a number of her military assignments.

Haven House provides shelter and advocacy to families dealing with domestic violence and supports survivors of sexual assault and child abuse in their recovery journey. Survivor services at Haven House include a 24-hour hotline, a domestic violence shelter, sexual assault advocacy services, preventative and intervention efforts, and the Child Advocacy Center.