Carmen Pitre
Carmen M. Pitre is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sojourner Family Peace Center. This organization stands as one of the nation’s most comprehensive models for coordinated services supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence. Guided by Pitre’s leadership, Sojourner helps more than 10,000 survivors each year, offering emergency shelter, advocacy, and a broad spectrum of integrated services that promote safety, healing, and long-term stability.Impact on Milwaukee’s Community Response
For nearly a quarter century, Pitre has been a pivotal force in establishing critical partnerships to support people experiencing domestic violence in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. Her efforts have united law enforcement, healthcare providers, courts, advocates, and local organizations to establish systems designed to better support survivors and ensure accountability for those responsible for harm.
Establishing a Nationally Recognized Center
In 2016, Pitre led the creation of the Sojourner Family Peace Center, a nationally acclaimed facility where survivors can access essential services—including shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, healthcare, and law enforcement support—all in one location. The center embodies her belief that collaboration across various sectors results in improved outcomes for survivors and fosters stronger, safer communities.
Organizational Leadership and Merger
Pitre played a significant role in the 2009 merger of Sojourner Truth House and the Task Force on Family Violence, which formed the current Sojourner Family Peace Center. Before this merger, she was Executive Director of the Task Force on Family Violence and held leadership positions with the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as well as the First Judicial District Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative.
Recognition and Awards
Her leadership has been acknowledged both locally and nationally. Among her many honors, Pitre received the 2023 Titan 100 Award for top CEOs and C-level executives in Wisconsin, along with the Doug Jansson Leadership Award from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, celebrating her years of service and influence in the Milwaukee community.
Education
Carmen M. Pitre holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
Personal Commitment and Philosophy
Pitre’s leadership is shaped not only by her extensive professional background but also by a personal understanding of how domestic violence affects families and communities. She maintains that communities thrive when survivors are treated with dignity, receive coordinated support, and benefit from a shared commitment to ending violence.
