FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2022
The TexProtects Board of Directors announced that Sophie Phillips has resigned as CEO of TexProtects. Her last day is effective July 20, 2022. The Board has named Jessica Trudeau, TexProtects’ current managing director, as interim CEO.
Dr. Ann Stuart, Chair of the Board of Directors, stated, “Sophie will be missed tremendously. She has been a powerful voice and advocate for child abuse prevention in Texas, and TexProtects’ mission has only flourished and amplified its impact under her leadership. It has been an honor and privilege to watch Sophie build and lead such an incredibly talented team and organization with a mission that is of the utmost importance today. As I reflect on Sophie’s tenure as CEO, I am humbled by what she and the staff have accomplished through education, research, public policy and advocacy. A few highlights include:
- Securing $6.5 million in federal, local, and philanthropic funding to help incubate and launch the Family Connects North Texas initiative to support more than 5,000 families with newborns
- Securing an additional $4.5 million in state funds for early childhood home visiting programs
- Launching the Prenatal-to-Three collaborative with statewide partners to ensure an additional 400,000 infants and toddlers have access to early childhood services and supports by 2026 as an effective strategy for the prevention of maltreatment
- Advocating for a transparent and accountable system where data drives decision-making and codified in state statute for several child protection indicators to be provided monthly, not annually
- Raising awareness of early adversity, trauma, child abuse and prevention strategies by authoring over a dozen op-eds in almost every large news market in Texas
- Equipping the community with resources during the pandemic, including the “Look, Learn, Listen=Prevention” campaign sharing the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and distributing flowcharts of the Texas child welfare system
“Ten years ago, I was given the opportunity to join TexProtects in the ranks of public policy for a mission I care so deeply about – ensuring children are safe, nurtured and have the greatest opportunity for success,” Phillips said. “A mission that is even more personal to me as I have grown my family, welcoming my two sweet boys during my tenure as CEO. I have made the bittersweet decision to pursue a new professional opportunity. Effective September 6, I will learn a new side of the nonprofit business, joining The Morris Foundation as the Director of Operations – a private family foundation in Fort Worth that invests in education, healthcare and social services in the community. I hope to carry all I have learned during my time at TexProtects about promoting environments of health, safety and success for children and families from a state to local level.”
Interim CEO Jessica Trudeau, MPH, is a seasoned executive and public health practitioner. Throughout her 20-year career, she has worked in child abuse, HIV/AIDS, injury prevention, mental health and education. Before TexProtects, Trudeau served as executive director at Momentous Institute and Family Compass.
“We are so grateful for the work we’ve been able to accomplish throughout the history of TexProtects and there is still so much to be done to ensure we have a child protection system that works for children and their families,” Dr. Stuart said. “TexProtects continues to have a strong infrastructure, staff and Board to continue our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Texas children.”
Photos & Resources
Sophie Phillips headshot
Jessica Trudeau biography & headshot
About TexProtects
TexProtects is the only nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in Texas focused solely on the issue of child abuse and neglect prevention. Our goal is to strengthen the resilience of all families, which in turn protects children from the trauma of child maltreatment. We build strong, safe childhoods by developing and driving smart solutions to child abuse and neglect. By informing the public, collaborating with allies on this issue and advocating for strong policy, we get results for children and secure the future of Texas.
Media contact
Meggie Abendschein
Vice President of PR & Marketing
meggie@texprotects.org
512-423-5888 (cell)
