EXCLUSIVE: Marjaree Mason Center CEO Nicole Linder stepping down

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The CEO of the Marjaree Mason Center, Nicole Linder, announced she's stepping down from her role as leader of Fresno County's only dedicated provider of domestic violence support services.

She sat down with Action News for an exclusive interview.

Nicole Linder tells Action News her time as CEO has been the honor of a lifetime, choosing to leave on a high note and pass the baton to a new leader.

"I feel like almost a decade is a long time to be in the spot, and now, while we're so strong and really on solid ground, is a good time to plan an intentional transition," says Linder.

While it is not an easy goodbye, Linder says it's an important one.

"I'm looking at lifestyle change. The ability to have a little less 24/7 and some more time with my family. I have kids that I want to spend time with, my husband, and my parents," says Linder.

Linder led the charge to modernize the way service providers address the complex issue of domestic violence.

She grew the non-profit's budget to a financially healthy place and used data to create solutions. Notably, creating a groundbreaking data dashboard that was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was an uptick in domestic violence incidents.

"That data really shone a light on the demographics. They are very different than what we once traditionally understood. That helps us change our messaging. It was really a catalyst behind our rebrand and our logo redesign to ensure that we were communicating and being more gender neutral," says Linder.

One of her greatest achievements was the addition of the new $21 million Isnardi Foundation Building. It houses a 24-hour trauma crisis center, counseling, early intervention, and more.

It serves as a safe haven and a beacon of hope.

"I had never built anything in my life before, so it was a labor of love and learning, but to be able to complete this and feel this resource will be here for generations beyond me," says Linder.

The center is the only comprehensive non-profit dedicated to serving those impacted by domestic violence in Fresno County, which has the highest per capita calls to law enforcement in the state.

Linder says even though she'll be gone, the center's work is far from over.

"What I learned, really, is that the only way we're going to stop domestic violence is by acknowledging it's not a one-size-fits-all," says Linder.

As for when she will be officially departing, that is still up in the air, as the board will hire a transition team and a recruitment firm to choose the next CEO.

Linder says she will stay to do a warm hand-off to her predecessor and always be a cheerleader for the organization.

If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.

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