Ohio Victim Witness Association unveils renewed brand identity

The Ohio Victim Witness Association launched a new brand identity on July 9, 2026, to better reflect its role in victim services and advocacy across Ohio. The rollout is aimed at strengthening OVWA’s visibility, partnerships and support for crime victims and the professionals who serve them.

Why it matters: - OVWA’s rebrand is meant to sharpen how the statewide nonprofit presents its mission to victim service providers, allied professionals and crime survivors across Ohio. - The organization says the new identity is designed to support future advocacy, expand partnerships and strengthen services for victims and survivors. - The rollout also signals a broader push to update OVWA’s communications, website and training materials.

What happened: - The Ohio Victim Witness Association announced a renewed brand identity on July 9, 2026. - OVWA said the new brand reflects its commitment to victims of crime, the professionals who serve them and the future of victim advocacy in Ohio. - The organization plans to roll out the brand across its communications, training materials, website and social media over the coming weeks. - More information is available on OVWA’s website.

The details: - OVWA has spent nearly five decades serving as a statewide leader in victim services. - The nonprofit provides training, support, collaboration and advocacy for victim service providers and allied professionals. - The organization promotes equitable and compassionate treatment for all victims of crime. - OVWA said the new brand makes its role clearer as a trusted resource, a convener of professionals and a catalyst for progress in the field. - The brand direction was shaped around three words: uplifting, proud and rooted. - The new logo shows a rising sun behind a bridge silhouette, framed by the shape of Ohio. - OVWA said the image is meant to symbolize hope, connection and its commitment to communities across the state. - The updated color palette keeps familiar tones while adding red-to-pink gradients and cool blue hues. - OVWA said the new palette gives the organization a more nuanced way to communicate its values and purpose. - Executive Director Elyse McConnell said OVWA wants to honor its past while moving forward with renewed energy and confidence. - McConnell said the brand reflects the belief that brighter days are ahead for victims of crime and the professionals who serve them. - In 2025, Leadership Columbus selected OVWA as a Community Impact Project partner. - OVWA was paired with leaders in Leadership Columbus’s Signature Program, a 10-month immersive experience focused on broader thinking, deeper connection and purpose-driven leadership across Central Ohio. - OVWA thanked project team members Hailey Allison, Cassie Ferguson, Natalina Fickell, Jerod Hickey and Kelly Widenhofer for helping shape the brand. - OVWA also thanked Leadership Columbus staff, especially Collin Ries, director of learning and program management, for connecting nonprofit groups with community leaders. - The board and staff used the process to discuss OVWA’s history, current role and future goals. - Those discussions also produced a social media strategy and a roadmap for updating and expanding the website. - OVWA’s mission remains focused on support, training and leadership for victim service providers and allied professionals.

Between the lines: - The rebrand is more than a visual refresh. It appears aimed at aligning OVWA’s public identity with a longer-term strategy for growth, partnership and digital outreach. - The Leadership Columbus collaboration suggests OVWA is leaning on community-based leadership to help modernize how the organization tells its story. - The emphasis on legacy and future-facing language points to an effort to preserve credibility while making the organization more visible and easier to understand.

What’s next: - OVWA will deploy the new brand across its channels in the coming weeks. - The organization is also moving ahead with website updates and an expanded social media strategy. - The brand rollout is expected to support OVWA’s broader advocacy and education efforts statewide.

The bottom line: - OVWA is using a new brand to update its public face and reinforce its role in Ohio’s victim services network.