SILVERDALE, WA, September 20, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dee Koester has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Informed by her own past abusive relationship, Ms. Koester felt motivated to help others. She has been in the anti-violence field for over 35 years. In 2002, after working with 8 tribes in WA State providing social services and working with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, she founded the WA State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault-WomenSpirit Coalition. The Coalition provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to 29 federally-recognized tribes in Washington State. Additionally, in 2013, she founded with the support other tribal coalition executives, the Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence. The Alliance stands as a national, unified public policy voice for tribal coalitions across the US and Alaska on issues prioritized by them (such as parity in funding and equal access to funding streams for AI/AN tribes and tribal coalitions). In 2017, Dee founded the Indigenous Crime Victim Services Referral and Resource Center (ICVSRRC) with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and the juncture of domestic violence and sexual assault, serving WA State Native victims.
Prior to the work managing and developing crime victim, domestic violence and sexual assault service delivery systems (law enforcement, court and community responses), Dee also provided direct services and shelter management services while working for a local county domestic violence and sexual assault program.
Her college degrees encompass an Associates of Sciences degree in Corrections (Peninsula College-1986), a Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis on counseling (The Evergreen State College-1988), and a Master's degree with specialization in Agency Administration and Tribal Public Policy (Nova University-1994).
For her exemplary accomplishments Dee has accepted personal awards and awards on behalf of her organizations. Most recently (2019) chosen as the Charitable Organization of the Year by the WA State/DC Philanthropy Society. Past awards are for outstanding Advocacy and Personal Service Awards.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Koester continues to dedicate her life's work to ensuring Native voices are heard and afforded the respect due them in matters affecting their quality of life, safety and holding systems and perpetrators accountable for their harmful actions.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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