Susan Wellman retires as President of The

Ophelia Project Board of Directors

June 9, 2005

Erie, PA – After 8 years of leadership, Susan Wellman, Founder of The Ophelia Project, will step down as President of the Board of Directors of The Ophelia Project, to be marked by a breakfast in her honor on Wednesday June 8, 2005 at 8:00am at The Ophelia Project office at 718 Nevada Drive in Erie, PA.

She will remain very actively involved in local and national public speaking, writing, and fundraising efforts of The Ophelia Project, but she will no longer retain a decision-making role.

Wellman founded The Ophelia Project in Erie, PA in 1997, and since inception, it has grown to be a national leader in the area of program development, research and awareness in the field of relational aggression.  Nationally, Ophelia speakers such as Wellman conduct professional trainings and implement school-based programming that is aimed at creating safer social climates for youth across North America.

Mary Pipher, Ph.D. authored Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls in 1992; the book was the catalyst for Wellman to launch The Ophelia Project after reading it in 1996.  Of Wellman’s retirement, Dr. Pipher commented, “Sue Wellman has made a great contribution to girls and their families all over America.  She is a high energy idealistic person who has truly changed the world.”

Current board member Michael Krahe Ph.D., executive vice-president of Human Leadership and Development at Erie Insurance Group, Inc., will take over as the president of The Ophelia Project Board of Directors.

Of his appointment, Krahe said, “I am honored to serve such a fine organization with a cause that speaks to so many. I am also honored to help assist a fine group of Board Members and professional staff members who have done such an outstanding job of taking Ophelia to where it is today. And I am confident of Ophelia's future success and strength.”

The Ophelia Project continues to focus on the issue of relational aggression, garnering national attention from Dateline NBC and New York Times Magazine.  Most recently, The Ophelia Project partnered with Lifetime Television for Women to present the film “Odd Girl Out”, a dramatic portrayal of one girl’s struggle to navigate the harsh world of adolescent friendships.

The issue of relational aggression is meaningful not only to adolescents, but the adults who care for them.  Krahe continued, “Ophelia speaks to my heart and I believe it speaks to the hearts ofeveryone on the issues that girls face in today's world. As a father of 2 children (a girl and boy) I understand the kinds of hurt the world and others can bring to our children. As parents we need to step up and confront these issues head on and work to create a culture that is emotionally, physically and socially safe.  Ophelia is about helping all of us step up into that space and make a difference. I am glad to be part of what Ophelia stands for.”

Other recent additions to the Ophelia Project board are Andy Glass, Director of the Erie ounty Department of Health, Gary Witosky of Cleveland, OH, Dawn Coburn Joy of Coburn Consulting, Mike Latimer of Eriez Magnetics.