Joyful Heart in the News

Maile M. Zambuto has been named Executive Director of the The Joyful Heart Foundation.  Zambuto joins the foundation from Safe Horizon where she served as Chief Development and Marketing Officer from 2000 to 2007.

Zambuto has been working in the field of victim assistance for nearly 15 years, having started her career in her hometown of Honolulu, working to raise funds and create innovative programs in partnership with the Junior League of Honolulu, the Children’s Justice Center and the Children’s Alliance of Hawaii.

Joyful Heart was founded in 2004 by actress and activist Mariska Hargitay with the intention of helping survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse to heal and reclaim their lives.  Hargitay’s awareness of the extent of sexual assault and domestic violence grew out of training for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order SVU.  Since then, more than 1200 survivors have participated in their pioneering retreat and wellness programs, thousands more have taken that first important step to reach out for help through their website, and participation in national educational and media awareness campaigns has planted the seeds of a changed awareness in the lives of millions.

“With Maile joining our staff, we have found someone with not only a profound understanding of these complex issues but someone whose skills will lead the organization to the next level. We are thrilled to have her at the helm,” said Hargitay.

Kossuth Named Clinical Program Director

Joyful Heart has also added Jeannette Kossuth, LCSW as Clinical Program Director. Kossuth has spent the past five years with the The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP), two of which were in the position of  Director of Client Services.

Kossuth holds a Master’s degree and licensure as a Clinical Social Worker. She also has a Master’s degree and licensure in Acupuncture, and is a licensed massage therapist.   She accepted the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) Joan Unger Memorial Award on behalf of the Anti-Violence Project awarded annually to a rape crisis program that demonstrates innovation and excellence in services offered to their community.