Lisa Nitsch

Lisa has worked at that House of Ruth Maryland for over twelve years and is currently the Gateway Project Program Manager.  The Gateway Project is the men’s abuser intervention service of the domestic violence prevention agency.  Lisa oversees the day-to-day operation of the program and coordinates new program initiatives to improve the quality and scope of services.  She was a principle driving force in the philosophical shift and functional redesign of the program from ‘The Batterers’ Program’ to ‘The Gateway Project’ in 2003.  This adaptation of the program focused on supporting men in a change process by encouraging them to set their own personal goals without shame while still holding them accountable for their abusive behavior. 

Mrs. Nitsch currently serves as the Vice President of Women In Fatherhood, Inc.  She is also an active board member of the Maryland Regional Practitioner’s Network for Fathers & Families and a member of the Baltimore City Fatality Review Team.  Lisa serves as Co-Chair of the Maryland Abuser Intervention Program and is their liaison to the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and the Governor’s Family Violence Council. 

Lisa’s focus in the domestic violence field is on evaluating “success” for abuser intervention programs, engaging men in work to end violence against women, and coordinating public systems to best ensure victim safety.  She provides consultation and technical assistance in the area of domestic violence screening and protocol development for fatherhood programs and healthy relationship & marriage programs throughout the United States. Lisa demonstrates strength in creating community partnerships between programs that have historically had conflicting agendas and provides technical assistance in this area to programs across the country.