Dr. Marcu is a dedicated advocate for gender equity, harm reduction, and the anti-violence movement, with a career spanning nonprofit leadership, higher education, and global resettlement. Her work centers on addressing gender-based violence, dismantling systemic barriers, and advancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches across diverse settings. Certified in change management and victim advocacy, Dr. Marcu is passionate about fostering equity-driven strategies that empower individuals and communities.Dr. Marcu regularly presents on equal access, victim protections, barriers, and opportunities across sectors. Originally from Romania, she now calls Des Moines, Iowa, home, where she serves as Director of Membership and Research Strategy with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and as a board member of ArtForce Iowa, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through art.