Fort Worth, Texas — April 7, 2026 — The Women’s Center is pleased to welcome Brenda Rios as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), a key addition to the organization’s executive leadership team as it continues its mission to empower and inspire women, men and children to overcome violence, crisis and poverty. The newly created role of COO reflects the Center’s commitment to strengthening its organizational foundation to meet community needs for decades to come.
As COO, Rios will oversee day-to-day operations of the Center’s Rape Crisis & Victim Services, Mental Health Services, and Employment Solutions; help develop and advance organizational strategy; and partner with teams across development, finance and business operations. She brings a distinguished record of leadership in nonprofit management, operational excellence, and community service – making her a strong addition during a pivotal period of succession and long‑term planning for the organization.
Prior to joining The Women’s Center, Rios served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Presbyterian Night Shelter (PNS). In her tenure at PNS, she worked adjacent to the CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and Program Directors to develop and implement the strategic plan, expand programs, and grow PNS’s social enterprise business.
“Brenda is an exceptional leader whose vision and commitment align deeply with our mission,” said CEO Laura Hilgart. “She is dedicated to maintaining The Women’s Center’s culture of excellence, community collaboration and partnership, employee engagement, and trauma-informed work.”
“We are so excited to have Brenda Rios joining us while Laura continues to lead the Center into 2027, at which time Brenda is expected to step into the Chief Executive Officer role. This gives us the opportunity to maintain seamless continuity in services to our clients while also preserving and building upon the legendary impact Laura’s leadership has made to our community over her many years of service,” said Frank Anderson, Board Chair of The Women’s Center.
About The Women’s Center
The Women’s Center is dedicated to building a community of strong and empowered women and families. Through crisis intervention, counseling, employment services and advocacy, the Center provides essential support to survivors of sexual violence, those experiencing mental health challenges and people seeking to improve their financial stability. Serving more than 100,000 each year, The Women’s Center continues its long-standing commitment to creating a place of hope, opportunity and growth for women, men and children in Tarrant County.
