Lori Palisin ’95 is the executive director of Safe Journey, a domestic and dating violence services organization in Erie County. For more than 25 years, she has dedicated her career to keeping victims safe, empowering survivors, and educating communities to prevent domestic violence.
A visionary and compassionate leader, Palisin spearheaded the creation of PurpleOne, a national awareness and bystander intervention program that unites communities against domestic violence. Her leadership helped to establish a network of “Safe Places for Domestic Violence”—local businesses trained to recognize and refer victims to help. PurpleOne has received national acclaim, earning a Purple Ribbon Award gold medal and recognition by the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women and in Congressional records as a best-practice model for community prevention.
Palisin also co-founded the Rural Erie County Domestic Violence Task Force and has been a respected member of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, where she served as chair for the Western Region and was recognized for 25 years of service.
A 1995 graduate of Penn State Behrend with a degree in Business, Liberal Arts, and Science and a minor in Psychology, she was a three-sport athlete and a 1998 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. She has continued her passion for sports as a volunteer coach and mentor.
With her unwavering commitment to advocacy, education, and empowerment, Palisin exemplifies the spirit of Penn State Behrend, inspiring lasting change in the lives of individuals and communities alike.