Jennifer Dunn takes over as head of London Abused Women’s Centre on Sept. 1

London Abused Women’s Centre acting executive director Jennifer Dunn will drop the “acting” from her title effective Sept. 1, following the retirement of Megan Walker.

Walker announced in January that it was “time to pass the torch” after 24 years with the agency. At that time, the board of directors announced that Dunn had been promoted to associate executive director as she prepared to take over from Walker. Throughout the summer months, Dunn has been working as acting executive director.

On Tuesday, chair of LAWC’s board of directors Shannon Paul officially announced that the end of the transition phase is approaching and Dunn will officially take over as executive director next Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Dunn has been with LAWC for a decade and has most recently focused on the issue of men’s violence against women in sports.

“Working with Megan has been an absolutely grateful experience that I’ve had. I couldn’t imagine anybody else that I could work with, honestly,” Dunn told Global News.

“The past few months have been unbelievably busy as we prepare for the transition but we’ve been working together for just over 10 years and so we know what each other’s style is like and we’re able to work really well together and it’s been really great. I think it’s going to be a really seamless transition.”

Dunn adds that her priority as executive director will be to continue to provide immediate access to service to women and girls in the community, saying there’s “absolutely no reason that there should be a wait-list when somebody is needing support of this nature.”

As part of that goal, Dunn says she’ll focus on funding, awareness and legislation.