KieshaPreston.com
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If you’re looking to collaborate or need an experienced speaker, consultant, or CUES Trainer committed to driving progress and empowering women, I’d love to connect. Let’s discuss your project and explore how we can create impactful change together. Contact me today!

Who I've Worked With

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Relevant Professional Experience

RTI International
Research Consultant - Contract     07/2024-Present

In my role with RTI, I assisted a nonprofit research organization in conducting a study on the removal of firearms in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic abuse.
  • Collaborated with over 50 survivors and various stakeholders, including law enforcement, legal professionals, and victim advocates, to gather diverse perspectives and insights.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) both independently and in combination with Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), contributing to policy recommendations for improved victim and community safety.
  •  Facilitated discussions and focus groups, honing skills in stakeholder engagement, communication, and relationship-building.
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First Person Perspective LLC
Founder and Director of Public Policy     06/2020-Present

As the Founder and Director of Advocacy at First Person Perspective, I draft legislation, lead strategic initiatives, provide training, and offer technical assistance to numerous organizations and federal agencies supporting domestic violence survivors. 
  • Drafted and successfully advanced legislation that removes housing barriers for over 22,000 victims and survivors of economic abuse, in Virginia, each year.
  • Presented in over 50 speaking engagements including White House Round Tables and Congressional Briefings to raise awareness and drive policy change.
  • Drafted policy recommendations for the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development that impact over 10 million individuals per year
  • Co-led 2 workgroups on intimate partner violence and policy issues, resulting in the development of comprehensive strategies and action plans.
  • Spearheaded lobbying efforts at all levels of government, advancing key policy priorities through targeted advocacy campaigns.

National Network to End Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence and Housing Justice Consultant -Contract    03/2020-07/2024

Within NNEDV, I focused on the intersections of housing justice, economic justice, gender-based violence, and technology- facilitated abuse. My work involved identifying and addressing barriers to services for victims, utilizing an intersectional, trauma- informed, and culturally competent approach.
  • Collaborated with 3 Federal agencies to identify gaps in services and propose policy changes.
  • Guided more than 200 victim service providers and policymakers in adopting intersectional, culturally competent approaches to support survivors.
  • Lead and facilitated training sessions, capacity-building for over 2000 local programs as part of the Comprehensive Collaborative Approach to Housing for Survivors Technical Assistance Project.
  • Advised on policy improvements to enhance housing options for survivors in 50 US States and Territories. 
  • Advised NNEDV internally on best practices, with an emphasis on advancing racial equity.

Collaborative Solutions
Housing and Gender-Based Violence Consultant -Contract    01/2023-03/2024

As a consultant for collaborative solutions I identified best practices and solutions to improve equitable housing access for survivors of intimate partner violence, addressing issues across race, identity, and ability.
  • Authored comprehensive end-of-project report for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) on creating sustainable, equitable housing models, contributing to national policy recommendations and improving housing access for millions of survivors.
  • Co-facilitated annual Safe Housing Access and Equity Workgroup with Domestic Violence Housing Technical Assistance Consortium partners, engaging over 30 stakeholders each year.
  • Equipped 30+ organizations with tools to implement housing and homelessness prevention best practices by providing training and technical assistance.

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
Data & Performance Strategy Consultant -Contract    03/2022-03/2024

At CSH, I collaborated with The Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a data and performance strategy for Victim Service Providers and Continuums of Care, enhancing coordination and services for domestic violence survivors facing homelessness.
  • Engaged with over 50 stakeholders, including survivors, service providers, and policymakers, to ensure that diverse perspectives were incorporated into project outcomes, fostering a more inclusive approach.
  • Developed and drafted 10 policy recommendations for HUD based on feedback and data analysis, aimed at enhancing service delivery and addressing identified barriers.
  • Planned and conducted 5 listening sessions with individuals who have lived experience to gather firsthand insights and feedback.
  • Analyzed data collected from listening sessions to identify best practices and inform policy improvements.

Futures Without Violence
Training and Development Consultant -Contract    04/2019-03/2024

As a consultant for Futures Without Violence I contributed to several key projects aimed at addressing gender-based violence and supporting survivors.
  • Assisted in the creation of a "Train the Trainer" curriculum for the National Workplace Resource Center, educating workplace leaders on addressing gender-based violence and enhancing their capacity to support employees effectively.
  • Co-developed, co-produced, and co-hosted the federally funded podcast "Warmline," creating content that offers valuable resources and support for individuals affected by violence and professionals in the field. Raised awareness about critical issues related to gender-based violence, reaching a national audience
  • Trained as a CUES (Confidentiality, Universal Education, Empowerment, and Support) Trainer, an evidence-based strategy to educate all patients about healthy and unhealthy relationships, the health impact of intimate partner violence (IPV), and   available national resources. 
  • Participated in the Survivor Leadership Healthcare Cohort, identifying gaps in healthcare services for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence with an emphasis on intersectionality and cultural competency.
  • Conducted thorough evaluations of the workplace and healthcare sections of the Futures Without Violence website, providing strategic recommendations to improve accessibility and support for survivors​
Leadership

  • 2024 Futures Without Violence Survivor Healthcare Leadership Cohort 
  • 2023 Survivor Advisory Committee Co-Chair, Finability
  • 2023 Governing Body Member, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
  • 2022 Crisis Advocate, SARA Roanoke
  • 2021 Board Member, Kirk Family YMCA
  • 2020 Virginia State Legislative Coordinator, Amnesty International USA
  • 2020 Advisory Committee Member, TAP Domestic Violence Services

Select Speaking Engagements

  • 2024 National Network to End Domestic Violence (Conference Presenter) Tech Summit
  • 2024 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Keynote Speaker)  Economic Justice and Housing Summit 
  • 2024 White House Gender Policy Council (Round Table Panelist) Listening Session on Economic Abuse
  • 2024 Futures Without Violence (Panelist) Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors in Healthcare Settings Congressional Briefing
  • 2024 OVW (Panelist) Breaking Barriers: Advancing Equity in Coordinated Entry Systems for Survivors - A Panel Discussion.  
  • 2023 National Human Services Data Consortium (Conference Presenter)  Centering Privacy and Confidentiality to Build Successful Partnerships with Victim Service Providers 
  • 2023 Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services (Panelist) Safe Housing Options for Survivors Roundtable 
  • 2023 Hollins University (Workshop Facilitator) Purpose and Power: Women Shaping History
  • 2023 Hollins University (Guest Respondent) Hollins University Playwright's Festival
  • 2023 - Legal Momentum (Guest Speaker) A State by State look at Employment Rights For Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence Webinar
  • 2023  Kering Foundation (Keynote Speaker) Caring For Women Dinner
  • 2023  Hollins University (Guest Speaker) Leading Equity, Diversity, and Justice Conference
  •  2022 University of Pennsylvania (Guest Speaker) Policy Initiatives to Prevent Abuse and Violence
  •  2022 Roanoke College (Guest Speaker) Black Lives Matter Seminar
  •  2020  Survivor Summit Conference (Panelist) Beyond 9 to 5: Promoting Financial Security and Stability for Survivors
  • 2020 National Network to End Domestic Violence Congressional Briefing (Panelist) ​
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