Since December 2004, Darlene Thomas has served as the founder/Executive Director for GreenHouse17.  GreenHouse17, serving 17 central Kentucky counties, is an advocacy agency committed to ending intimate partner abuse and its impact on families and the community.   In her 33-year career as an advocate for survivors of power based violence and their families she is been responsible for direct service, comprehensive program development, and community engagement for social change efforts.  Ms. Thomas provides leadership for multiple community collaborations and committees; provides expert testimony on legal cases; facilitates professional development training at local, state, national, and international forums and provides consultation for organizations who are seeking strategies to reimagine their programs and services.  She has traveled to Constanta, Romania twice as a consultant for governmental and community stakeholders regarding the development and implementation of a domestic violence service delivery system.  Under her leadership, GreenHouse17 programs and services have received statewide and national awards for Innovation including: Commerce Lexington’s Non-Profit Impact Award, Mary Byron Foundation Celebrating Solutions Award, Then Kentucky Non-Profit Network Innovative Award, the Center for Non- Profit Excellency Pyramid Award for Social Innovation and was a Partnership for Freedom/Reimagine Opportunity national finalist.  She currently serves as Past President and Legislative Chair for ZeroV, Kentucky’s Domestic Violence Coalition.