Welcome Pierre Berastaín, SAFE’s New CEO

Written by Lila Brolsma

Dear SAFE supporters,

I want to share news that fills me with both gratitude and excitement: Dr. Pierre Berastaín will join SAFE as our next Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2025.

This is a pivotal and meaningful moment for our organization and for Austin. Pierre is a dynamic leader who will guide us through a period of renewal while building on SAFE’s strong history and foundation. His experience, empathy, and mission-centric vision will directly support the evolving needs of survivors in our community. I’m confident he will strengthen services, broaden partnerships, and help SAFE meet our community’s growing needs with innovation and resolve.

About Pierre

Pierre brings nearly two decades of executive leadership across national nonprofits, philanthropy, and higher education—all deeply rooted in survivor-centered service and systems change. He most recently served as Regional Director for North America and Interim Global Executive Director at the Centre for Public Impact, a Boston Consulting Group–founded organization advancing effective and human-centered governance worldwide. Before that, Pierre held senior and executive roles at organizations you may know well: Caminar Latino–Latinos United for Peace and Equity, Harvard University’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, and the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) in Washington, D.C., where he led major expansions in housing operations and survivor support systems.

National Perspectives on SAFE’s Leadership and Impact

Pierre’s appointment has drawn recognition from national leaders in the violence prevention field who understand both the impact of SAFE’s critical work and the strength of Pierre’s exceptional, proven track record in this work.

Rosie Hidalgo, former Director of the Office on Violence Against Women and Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence and Special Assistant to the President, shared: “The SAFE Alliance’s integrated model—encompassing advocacy, housing, forensic medical care, prevention, and healing services—is a powerful example of the comprehensive, survivor-centered programs that are so critical in supporting survivors and children with dignity and creating just and safe communities. As The SAFE Alliance embarks on a new chapter, it is wonderful to see that Pierre will bring his depth of experience, strong commitment to equity, and visionary leadership to support the organization in advancing its mission, benefiting both the Austin community and the broader movement to end gender-based violence.”

Lynn Rosenthal, former White House Advisor on Gender-Based Violence and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has known Pierre’s work for years: “His leadership is grounded in compassion and a sophisticated understanding of both community-based needs and national policy. SAFE chose an extraordinary leader for this next chapter, and I’m confident he will strengthen not only the Austin ecosystem but the broader national movement to end gender-based violence.”

What This Means

Pierre will lead our team of 300 dedicated staff members as we continue providing safety, stability, and comfort to more than 1,000 people every night, over half of whom are children. These individuals receive care and support through our integrated model of shelter, housing, counseling, legal advocacy, medical care, prevention programming, and 24/7 crisis response.

Your generosity brings this healing and hope to life. I’m confident that Pierre’s leadership will help us deepen this life-changing work and inspire even greater collective commitment to creating a safer community for everyone.

Please join me in welcoming Pierre to SAFE. His leadership marks an exciting new chapter for SAFE, and we are thrilled to see the progress and possibilities that will unfold under his guidance.

With gratitude,