The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is excited to announce the selection of a new Executive Director!

We are fortunate that Marla Davis Bellamy has agreed to join AVP in the position as of Monday, April 13, 2009. Marla brings to AVP a strong educational and practical background as well as a real passion for addressing the violence that affects so many people in our community.

Most recently Marla served as Chief of Staff for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, but her true roots remained in Philadelphia-based programs targeted to reduce violence and improve the health of disadvantaged and underserved populations. Marla's other previous positions include Director of Community Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Executive Director of Say Yes To Health, Inc., and Executive Director of the HMA Foundation.

Marla graduated from the Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, and later acheived both a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law.

We are pleased that Marla is joining AVP to lead us into the future and expect her to sustain our high level of victim services while increasing our effort to reduce violence in Philadelphia!