Anne Friesen has been named executive director of the local domestic violence agency Friend to Friend.

Friesen formerly held positions as manager and then director of Haven House, Friend to Friend's women's shelter for abused and battered women and their children in Moore County.

A 1981 graduate of The O'Neal School in Southern Pines, Friesen has lived in the Sandhills for 38 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in film and media arts from the University of Kansas, and a degree from the honors program of the New York University Film School.

Subsequently, she worked as writer/producer/director for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, and later as founder and owner of Dogwood Productions, where she produced more than 40 films and videos, including collaborations with child psychologist John Rosemond for Parent Power Productions.

During this time, she was a featured guest on NBC's "The Today Show," CNN's "Showbiz Today" and assorted local North Carolina news shows, for her award-winning video productions. Throughout, Friesen's focus has been to help couples build stronger marriages and to equip parents with skills to become better parents.

Friesen will attend the Duke University Nonprofit Management Program this fall, which explores eight essential areas of nonprofit management through courses taught by scholars and instructors within the nonprofit arena.

In addition to her work at Friend to Friend, Friesen has always demonstrated a commitment to serving her community in a volunteer capacity. Her volunteer community service work includes Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Sunday School teacher of adults and children; Friend to Friend volunteer; migrant workers' families volunteer; Grandma's Closet for Foster Children volunteer; The O'Neal School board of directors; Moore County N.C. Symphony board of directors; Penick Village volunteer; and Sunrise Theater Preservation Society board of directors.

"Friend to Friend is extremely fortunate to have someone of Anne"s caliber leading our organization," said Jeff Gollehon, president of the Friend to Friend board. "She proved her rare management skills while >significantly improving >our shelter, and we have no doubt she will continue >with those same results as our executive director."