Introducing Josh Brown, who now leads the organization he’s helped shape for over a decade.
When Josh Brown was first introduced to Fort Bend Women’s Center, he had only anticipated staying a year. Initially brought on to implement a neurofeedback program, his role was meant to be temporary—train the team, build the program, and move on. But something shifted.
That year turned into a decade of service. Along the way, Josh took on roles that stretched across the organization—launching new programs, expanding community education, and ultimately leading as Chief Programs Officer for more than four years. His approach has always been immersive, collaborative, and deeply connected to the people he serves.
“I always wanted to help people. Being there with someone in the most vulnerable time of their life is a privilege – and to work alongside people who also feel that way is very fulfilling.”
Now, as CEO, Josh brings a combination of field experience, trauma-informed leadership, and long-term strategic vision—shaped by years of working side-by-side with staff, survivors, and community partners. His roots in mental health give him a unique perspective. For Josh, the work is about transformation, helping people reclaim safety, dignity, and the power to write their next chapter.
It’s that mission—and the incredible team he works with—that has kept him committed all these years.
Meeting the Growing Demand
Fort Bend Women’s Center offers a full continuum of care: a 24-hour hotline, hospital response for sexual assault cases, emergency shelter, long-term housing, mental health services, job support, education, and more. The goal is to walk with survivors through every stage—whether they need immediate safety or long-term support to rebuild their lives.
In the last year, the Center served over 3,300 people—a record number made possible by expanded staffing, improved systems, and ongoing community support. Still, demand continues to outpace capacity.
“The demand is currently higher than our ability to serve it. Having said that, in the last couple of years, we've worked very hard to increase our bandwidth to the point where we served over 3,300 people last year, which is a huge increase year over year... So we’re well on our way. But there’s still more work to do. The county’s growing. And so just like everybody else in Fort Bend County, we have to keep up.”
A growing need, particularly in mental health services, is one of the biggest shifts Josh has seen. Survivors are often navigating trauma on multiple levels, and the Center has responded by expanding its counseling team and partnering with outside specialists.
But scaling services takes more than people and programs—it takes sustainable funding. As the population of Fort Bend County grows, so does the pressure on the Center’s capacity to respond. While government grants are essential, they often come with restrictions and remain vulnerable to shifting regulations.
“We’re very diversified in how we’re funded, which is fantastic,” Josh explains. “But if we get a shift in regulation for a government grant, it could change how we fund things. And then we’ve got to be very agile and shift.”
That’s where the community comes in. Local support—through donations, events, and organizational partnerships—provides the flexibility and resilience needed to adapt quickly and serve more survivors without interruption.
Josh is focused on the future. One of the Center’s boldest 10-year goals is to ensure that every reported case of domestic violence and sexual assault in Fort Bend County receives a response from Fort Bend Women’s Center. Reaching that milestone will require stronger coordination with law enforcement, hospitals, and other agencies—and a significant expansion of capacity.
“Our goal is to be the model—statewide and national. We want to be a place where people feel comfortable coming, and they can heal.”
To support that vision, plans are already in motion for a new shelter facility near the existing Rio Bend campus, on land donated by The George Foundation.
“If we’re going to serve everybody,” Josh says, “we need to have the capacity to do it right.”
Survivor Empowerment at the Core
At the heart of Josh’s leadership philosophy is the belief that survivors are the experts in their own lives. Staff are there not to dictate decisions, but to offer support, guidance, and options.
“Where we find success is understanding that we are not the experts in people’s situations—they are the experts. So knowing that, recognizing that, and offering opportunities for them to choose what they want to do and how they want to help themselves… that’s success.”
It’s a mindset that aligns directly with the Center’s core pillars: Survive. Revive. Thrive. Josh has no plans to change those—but he does want to bring them more visibly into the community, rallying people around a shared mission of healing and empowerment. He encourages everyone to get involved in ways both big and small: volunteer, donate, learn about trauma, and talk to others about healthy relationships.
A Moment That Defines His Work
One story has stayed with Josh over the years—a reminder of why this work matters and what it means to lead with compassion. He recalls a survivor who, after overcoming abuse and supporting others through cooking at the shelter, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. During this time, she invited Josh and others to her apartment for a final goodbye—and cooked them lunch.
“She said, ‘Don’t ever forget—y’all are… trauma first responders”
Those words stuck. Whenever the work feels heavy, Josh remembers her resilience and her gratitude.
“This is what we’re here to do.”
Moving Forward Together
Josh steps into this role following the retirement of longtime CEO Vita Goodell, who led Fort Bend Women’s Center for more than 20 years with compassion, vision, and unwavering commitment.
Now, as the organization turns the page, Josh Brown brings both continuity and fresh momentum. With over a decade of hands-on leadership, he blends strategic insight with a deeply personal connection to the mission—and invites the entire community to be part of what comes next.
“This is my favorite job. This is always what I wanted to do, and so I’m blessed to be able to come to work every day. Even in the hard times, even with the hard, difficult things, it’s all part of owning this and trying to solve this issue.”
Want to make an impact?
There are many ways to support Fort Bend Women’s Center and stand alongside survivors:
- Volunteer your time to support survivors directly or behind the scenes
- Attend events like the annual Healing & Hope Luncheon to raise critical funds
- Donate to directly fund life-saving services and programs
- Partner with us as a business or civic organization
- Spread awareness on social media and in your circles
- Shop at ThriftWise, where every purchase helps fund essential services