2026 Evening of Hope Honoree – Myra R. Elliott Award
A dynamic and transformational Human Resource professional, Kimberly Moussavian has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor to senior executives regarding HR operations, employment law compliance, and employee relations matters. During a career that has spanned decades, Kimberly has served in a range of human resources, organization development, talent management and consulting roles at not-for-profit and global consumer-centric organizations across a variety of industries.
Center for Hope & Safety is extremely fortunate that Kimberly chose to share with us her wealth of knowledge, considerable expertise, and passion for shaping successful teams and inclusive cultures as we navigated an era of change and challenge.
Connected to Center for Hope & Safety’s Board of Trustees by the late Teaneck Mayor, Lizette Parker, Kimberly served from October 2015 to February 2025. It was a pivotal moment in our organization’s history, during which we experienced a transition to new leadership, the creation of our first legal services team, and the expansion of programs well beyond our original mission of providing emergency shelter. As former Board President Jeff Forster recalls, “Kimberly’s leadership experience, astute legal insights, and expertise in human resource matters were a powerful combination for accomplishing good.”
Kimberly was an active and influential member of the Communications Committee, the Governance Committee and the Human Resources Committee, which she chaired from 2018 to 2023. She provided support and guidance to leadership during this important transition period, and her strategic thinking helped move the organization forward in best meeting its mission. She was instrumental in developing an HR Generalist position and helping to professionalize HR within the organization. Her expertise on employee compensation, including health insurance benefits, was invaluable. And she provided astute review of HR policies and helped implement successful employee engagement practices.
Leading with quiet strength and deep compassion, Kimberly was never shy about connecting others to Center for Hope & Safety and its mission – from inviting us to join in the Grand Opening of her family’s bagel shop to bringing countless friends to events and sharing information via her social media networks. During the pandemic, she discussed employment challenges for women on a panel with other HR experts. She also arranged for Center for Hope & Safety to provide education on domestic violence at Saddle River Day School, where she served as Alumni Association Treasurer. Kimberly continues to provide ongoing financial support to help us sustain services and programming.
Ann Piccirillo, Chairperson of the Board, served on the HR Committee with Kimberly and called her “a trusted mentor, guide, and friend. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and intentional approach consistently shaped both the work of the organization as well as the culture.“
Kimberly’s commitment to Center for Hope & Safety and the communities we serve has left a lasting impression. It is our privilege to present her with the 2026 Myra R. Elliott Trustee Award in honor of her leadership, compassion, generosity, and dedication to improving the quality of life for those affected by domestic violence.