Phyllis A. DeMott has served as Executive Director of A Safe Place since 1994 and in that time has overseen several expansions in services, including a successful capital campaign which resulted in the construction of a twenty-unit transitional living facility for victims of domestic violence. This facility provides on-site counseling and life skills work designed to assist victims in rebuilding their lives and becoming self-sufficient while increasing the amount of affordable housing available for victims.

From 2005-2007,  Phyllis DeMott also served as President of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a 52-member coalition addressing the issues and needs of domestic violence victims throughout the state. Phyllis DeMott holds a master’s degree in Social Service, as well as Law and Social Policy, from Bryn Mawr College. In addition, Ms. DeMott has a master’s of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in psychology from Eastern College of St. David’s, Pennsylvania.

Before working at A Safe Place, Phyllis DeMott served as Director of the Night Ministry’s Open Door Temporary Youth Emergency Shelter in Chicago for two years, assisting in the development and implementation of a social work component for that shelter. Prior to being hired as Director Phyllis DeMott worked for the agency as a Social Worker, networking with shelters and other local social service agencies in preparation for developing the new social work component of Open Door.

In addition to her work with A Safe Place and Open Door, Phyllis DeMott has worked as a family therapist for families in crisis; designed and directed an afterschool program for children; and volunteered on a committee that designed and implemented a camping program for children with physical handicaps. Prior to her work with social service agencies, Phyllis DeMott worked as an editor for Judson Press.