The Young Women’s Resource Center in Des Moines announced that Kari Hamilton has been hired as the organization’s executive director, beginning Jan. 2. She has more than 12 years of trauma responsive nonprofit experience, six years of which have been in leadership positions. She has held leadership positions at the SAFE Alliance in Austin, Texas, including as senior director of CARES, a multifaceted program focused on interventions for sex trafficking and exploitation. Hamilton is a licensed master social worker. She received a master’s degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport and a bachelor’s degree in family/youth services from the University of Northern Iowa. The nonprofit organization provides support, education and advocacy for participants ages 10-21.