Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.
Liz Ortenburger
***Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, including strangulation and survivor experiences. Listener discretion is advised.
As the CEO of SafeNest, Nevada’s largest nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence, Liz Ortenburger has transformed a struggling organization into a multifaceted force of hope and healing. What began as a $3.7 million nonprofit teetering on financial uncertainty has grown under her leadership into a robust, mission-driven enterprise — one that blends compassion with smart business acumen.
Unshakable Resilience
Liz’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience. As a survivor of domestic violence, she transformed her personal experience into a lifelong mission to support others, eventually becoming the CEO of SafeNest. But her strength didn’t stop there. In the midst of leading critical initiatives to protect and empower survivors, Liz faced another daunting challenge — a cancer diagnosis that required a bone marrow transplant. Even as she navigated treatment, she remained deeply engaged in her work, advocating for SafeNest and its mission until the very moment she left for the hospital. Her ability to persevere through both personal trauma and serious illness speaks to a resilience that not only defines her leadership, but also inspires everyone around her.
One Safe Place
In 2024, Liz secured $9 million in historic state funding to bring “One Safe Place” to life — a wraparound resource center modeled after the Mayo Clinic, offering everything from legal help to counseling in one location. She’s also driven initiatives like Camp Hope, a healing experience for children affected by violence, and launched “Brewing Bold,” a survivor-run coffee subscription program, reflecting her deep-rooted belief in economic empowerment.
But Liz’s journey hasn’t come without trials. A highly publicized investigative series tried to cast doubt on her leadership. Through it all, Liz responded with transparency and grace, emphasizing her platinum status on GuideStar, SafeNest’s clean audits, and the critical importance of confidentiality and survivor dignity.
Takeaways From This Episode
- Build hope by design: Liz champions the HOPE score, a scientifically validated measure that tracks a person’s belief in their ability to shape a better future. It’s not just a metric — it’s a mindset shift.
- Own the infrastructure: Liz’s approach to sustainability includes owning real estate and creating business models that support SafeNest’s operations long-term, freeing up donor dollars for direct services.
- It’s about access and dignity: Whether it’s co-locating services or training survivors for workforce re-entry, Liz focuses on solutions that empower people to reclaim their lives.
- Lead with both head and heart: Liz blends MBA-level business thinking with a deep sense of mission — a rare combination that turns nonprofit work into transformative change.
Watch the entire Podcast episode for the full discussion with Liz Ortenberger as we delve deeply into her experiences and perspectives. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
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