Team

at Rutgers University, where she served as a liaison between the dean and all personnel involved in school operations. She also assisted with academic recruitment and appointment operations. At Resnicow and Associates, she oversaw and coordinated diverse projects for the president and collaborated with the senior executive team to implement robust organizational systems. Oby holds a BA in information technology and informatics from Rutgers University—New Brunswick. 

campaign strategies for local initiatives in New York State. She also worked as a client advocate for the East Baton Rouge Office of the Public Defender and as a teaching fellow for Princeton in Asia. Anna graduated from New York University with an MPA in public and nonprofit management and policy, specializing in public policy analysis. She also has a BA in political science and social policy & practice from Tulane University in New Orleans.  

evident in programs like Justice Reinvestment, Justice Counts, and Lantern. Before her role at the CSG Justice Center, she served as a visiting fellow for the Office for Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice. Grace directed the Victims of Crime Act program for the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy in Washington, showcasing her understanding of victim services and work as a State Administering Agency. Her leadership included directing the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and she began her advocacy as a volunteer at the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, more than 25 years ago. Grace holds a BS in gender studies from the University of Utah.

to a probation/parole agent. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, she spent 24 years as the director of a multicounty community supervision agency in western Minnesota. She has been highly involved in state legislative work, providing guidance and testimony on numerous initiatives including the passage of Justice Reinvestment in Minnesota. She earned a BA in sociology/criminal justice from South Dakota State University and completed the Humphrey Policy Fellows Program at the University of Minnesota Center for the Study of Politics and Governance.   

efforts to archive the effects of mass incarceration in the United States through oral accounts and writings of those impacted by the criminal legal system. Esteem also served as a public health commissioner for Alameda County, California, focusing on the relationship between incarceration and community health. Esteem received a BA in rhetoric and a BA in political science from UC Berkeley and an MPH from Brown University. 

legal coordinator, he worked on settling lawsuits filed against the NYC Department of Education and worked closely with different agencies such as the Mayor’s Office, Administration for Children’s Services, and the Law Department. He received his BA in English with a minor in criminal justice from the University at Albany. He also received his MA in political science with a concentration in international affairs, global justice, and foreign policy from Brooklyn College. 

and reentry programs with the Virginia Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice. In Virginia’s adult courts, he conducted background investigations and wrote reports to promote equitable sentencing practices. Jowan was also previously a juvenile parole officer, collaborating with families and courts to identify alternatives to detention and state commitments. Jowan has a BS in criminal justice with a concentration in justice administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a paralegal studies certificate from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.

Policing Equity, working to redesign public safety by replacing punitive systems with care-focused approaches. Her work has significantly contributed to reducing racial disparities in policing outcomes nationwide and to protecting, supporting, and empowering marginalized communities. With extensive experience in public health and strategic implementation, she is an expert in co-designing community-driven initiatives, public health interventions, and justice-centered programs. Juanisha holds a BS in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MPH from Benedictine University.  

in the juvenile justice sector in many capacities, including as a court designated specialist for the Kentucky Court of Justice and an intensive supervision officer for the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Kendra brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in recidivism reduction and reentry efforts, as well as informal diversionary sanctions. She earned her BS in forensic anthropology from Western Carolina University and her MS in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati. 

defender departments implementing a collaborative defense model, as well as to state administering agencies developing strategic plans in compliance with Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program requirements. Amir also brings experience with research and has analyzed numerous criminal legal data sets with the goal of providing data-driven recommendations to policymakers, community stakeholders, and other system partners. Amir approaches his work with a community-based perspective to ensure the best outcomes for those whose lives intersect with the criminal justice system. Amir earned his MS in criminology from the University of Cincinnati.

work programs. Ruth also was the first executive director of the University of Chicago Health Lab and the first research director for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department of Corrections. She has a BS in International Political Economy from Georgetown University, as well as an MPP and MDiv from the University of Chicago. 

years. This included serving as the vice president of agency programs for a community-based agency providing multiple types of correctional and behavioral health treatment to formerly incarcerated people under community supervision. David was also a clinician at Somers State Prison and Meriden-Wallingford Hospital in Connecticut as well as a consultant with a national criminal justice technical assistance provider. A licensed professional counselor and certified forensic counselor, David earned his BA from Franklin College and his MS at Butler University.

joining the CSG Justice Center, Madeleine managed Oregon's Justice Reinvestment grant program, which focused on strengthening community-based supervision and services to increase local alternatives to incarceration. She also previously worked as a policy staffer in the Oregon and Alabama legislatures. Madeleine earned a BA from Portland State University and an MPAP from American University. 

and careers technology grant programs. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, Jan led operational efforts across various industries, including financial consulting and property management. Jan earned a BA in criminal justice and an MPA specializing in operational oversight from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

a comprehensive assistance program for crime victims and witnesses. Chandrika also previously served as a parole officer in Georgia, where she assisted individuals with successfully transitioning back into society following incarceration. Chandrika earned a BS in psychology from Georgia State University and her MSW and Certified Public Manager certification from the University of Georgia. 

where she researched and verified economic trends and employment and wages changes across industries. She also worked for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety as a probation/parole officer aiding individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. She earned her BS and MS in criminal justice from North Carolina Central University and has also studied at the University of California, Irvine. 

research manager at Campaign Zero, whose goal is to achieve zero police violence in the U.S. At Campaign Zero, Rhonda led a team of researchers in developing a database of over 350 community-based organizations that provide crisis, behavioral, mental health, and crime intervention services to underserved communities. Rhonda holds a BA in political science from Carlow University, an MA in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and an MA in educational leadership, politics, and advocacy from New York University. 

disorder treatment program in the Upper Midwest, working toward community alternatives to incarceration and second chance efforts that included drug sentencing reform, family reunification legislation, expungement reform, and re-establishment of the Ombudsman for Corrections office. Gina serves on the Hennepin County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board and was appointed by the commissioner of corrections to the Interstate Compact Commission. Gina has a degree in construction electricity and is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.  

and measure research-driven criminal justice policy and practice changes through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Previously, Sara was the director of resource development at an alternative-to-incarceration nonprofit, focusing on grant writing, program development, and building organizational capacity through data collection and program evaluation. Sara earned her BA from University of Pennsylvania and her MPA from New York University.  

and Advocacy at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center in Ohio. With years of advocacy and leadership experience, Shanell also has expertise in critical thinking, crisis intervention, strategy development, and collaborating with community leaders. Shanell has a master’s in criminal behavior from Tiffin University and completed a certificate in “Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice” at Harvard University.  

designed to support project team success. He earned his MA in criminal justice and research from SUNY University at Albany School of Criminal Justice and his PMP from the Project Management Institute. 

also managed Iowa’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative project and helped lead efforts to improve responses and transparency regarding sexual assault evidence in the state. Robert has also been a consultant with the State Administering Agencies Support Team and the OVC VOCA Center. Previously, Robert served in the Des Moines office of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin in several roles. Robert received a BA in business administration from Grand View College.

of Representatives and then as deputy director of a House subcommittee on criminal justice. She later served in the executive branch in senior positions at the U.S. Department of Education and the Peace Corps. After 15 years of federal service, Amy returned to Indiana to serve in leadership roles in policy at a think tank, in state government, and in local, regional, and national nonprofits. She later led the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, which operated a highly respected expungement Help Desk. Amy graduated from Denison University with a BA in political science, which included a year of study at Harvard’s Kennedy School. She earned her JD from Indiana University School of Law. 

detention alternatives initiative coordinator for Pierce County Juvenile Court, where he oversaw most of the data collection and reporting practices. He was part of efforts to reform juvenile probation practices, moving away from a traditional sanction-based model and instead developing an incentive-based model that aligns with today’s research around adolescent brain development. In addition to working locally, he worked on many reform projects in the state of Washington, all while aiming to reduce reliance on secure detention and instead develop community-based programs to meet the specific needs of youth across the state. Cody earned his BA in criminal justice from Washington State University.  

and quality assurance. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, Jennifer worked as the research and continuous quality improvement administrator at Oriana House, a large community corrections agency in Ohio. In this role, Jennifer implemented and oversaw the training and coaching of staff on the use of effective interventions for people in the criminal justice system. Jennifer has also provided training and coaching services as an independent consultant to community corrections agencies throughout the U.S. Jennifer holds a BA in justice studies from Kent State University and an MA in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.

and allow agencies to tell the stories of their work. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, Sarah was a public defender in Maricopa County, Arizona, where she represented indigent clients in Early Resolution Court. She also served as a public defender in St. Lawrence County, New York. She earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from New York University. She is admitted to practice law in New York. 

where she handled a wide array of criminal cases. Estrella received her BA from Wesleyan University and her JD from Fordham University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey. 

associate at the National Institute of Justice, where she was the lead investigator on projects related to the criminal justice response to crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native women. Alison also has experience conducting research on corrections, including topics such as prison violence, reentry, recidivism, and restorative justice. She earned her BS in public policy and administration from James Madison University and her MS and PhD in justice, law, and society from American University. 

to the Kansas Legislature. In that capacity, he crafted detailed reports and engaging presentations to help legislators and stakeholders easily understand complex budget and policy issues regarding mental health and social services. Matthew has a BA in linguistics from the University of Kansas and received his JD with dean’s honors from Washburn University School of Law. 

adoption and repeal of state and local public health policies on health outcomes. Myles also worked as a regulatory researcher in oncology clinical trials, reviewing study protocols and project management. He earned his BHS from University of Kentucky and his MPH in health policy and management from New York University. 

director of Washington Appleseed, a legal advocacy organization dedicated to generating research-based public policy impacting underserved populations in Washington state. As executive director, she developed and directed multiagency projects on topics ranging from early childhood nutrition to community reentry from prison. Katie earned her BA in anthropology from the University of Virginia.

and defense attorneys. Ashley also worked as a research assistant at the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, interviewing criminal justice leaders and producing written materials for the first national clearinghouse on correctional oversight bodies. She holds a BA in sociology from Rice University and an MPAff from the University of Texas at Austin.   

a role in bringing meaningful changes to the justice system, such as voting rights for the formerly incarcerated and anti-employment discrimination for individuals with a criminal record. He was previously the director of a local community center that created programs to engage youth at risk of justice system involvement. Also an attorney, Paul has worked in the New York State Supreme Court, in the U.S. Congress, and for a corporate law firm. He received his BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his JD from New York Law School. 

relationships with legislators to advance CATE’s policy goals to decriminalize trafficked victims. She has engaged in direct service and volunteer work in many St. Louis communities, providing administrative support at a women’s safe house and mentoring youth from the Clinton-Peabody neighborhood. Meghna received her BA in sociology from Washington University in St. Louis and her MSW from the Brown School of Social Work and Public Health, with a concentration in social impact leadership and a specialization in policy.  

governments regarding cannabis regulatory action, producing government educational materials, and delivering research concepts digestible for the greater public. Over the years, she has assisted numerous stakeholders in the public health and behavioral health fields to establish strategic communication campaigns, provide predictive analysis, and deliver insightful research products. She holds a BS in communications from Tennessee State University and an MSW in health and mental health from Clark Atlanta University.  

of Court Administration. From 1997 to 2005, he was general counsel for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), responsible for prisons, probation, and parole. He also was general counsel to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice—the governing body for TDCJ. Prior to that position, he was the executive director of the Texas Punishment Standards Commission, general counsel to the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, director of the Senate's redistricting staff, and a briefing attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Carl holds a BA from the University of Cincinnati, an MA from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. 

Court in Washington State and as a community corrections officer for various field offices throughout the state. She was the presenting community corrections officer for all violation hearings in Spokane; she also administered assessments and counseled clients about community resources. Additionally, Sephria served as a paralegal and as the administration/legal department head as yeoman second-class petty officer (E-5) for the United States Navy. Sephria holds a BA in justice with a minor in anthropology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is currently pursuing an MA in criminal justice at Seattle University.

eighth-grade math teacher in the Mississippi Delta and later in administration as the dean of community life working to amplify community input in the public education system. Her most recent role involved coordinating college in prison programs in Tennessee. She also has extensive experience with reentry and working with people to create meaningful plans after incarceration. Laramie continues to engage with nonprofit organizations that promote educational equity and work towards disrupting systems of harm. She has a BS in communications and international studies and an MEd in community development and action from Vanderbilt University.

at Casey Family Programs, where she coordinated services to youth, young adults, and families involved in the child welfare system. Earlier in her career, Michelle was a mitigation specialist with the King County Office of Public Defense. In that role, she transitioned between the felony, mental health, and juvenile court systems to develop individual sentencing alternatives. Michelle received her BS in psychology and criminal justice at Seattle University and her MSW from the University of Washington.

implementing evidence-based programs, led prevention initiatives, and started a youth justice advisory board for Pennsylvania. She also worked as a criminal justice systems planner with victims’ services, a youth advocate project manager, and a bilingual family service specialist. She was appointed a 2012 Youth Justice Leadership Institute Fellow through the National Juvenile Justice Network. Maddy holds a BA in psychology and criminal justice from Rutgers University and an MPS in organizational leadership from Central Penn College. 

a local Minnesota nonprofit, where she developed and oversaw wellness and community programming for people in recovery, those impacted by the justice system, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Beth also brings experience as a reentry case manager, working closely with individuals recently released from incarceration. Additionally, she served for several years as a board member of the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition, advocating for legislative and policy efforts to support second chances. Beth holds a BS in family social science from the University of Minnesota and a MPP from Northeastern University. 

joining the CSG Justice Center, Lorretta worked as a project manager with the Program for Research and Outreach on Gender Equity in Society (PROGRESS), a university-based organization where she trained and educated young girls and women to value their voice in negotiations. She also worked as a fundraiser for political candidates on the local, state, and federal levels. Lorretta has a BA in political science from Canisius College and an MA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. 

information to staff through consistent resource development and leading of staff trainings. Additionally, she works on projects centered on risk and needs assessment communication and implementation guidance. In previous roles at the CSG Justice Center, Lahiz developed networks of community services for people returning to the community after incarceration, provided technical assistance to recipients of Second Chance Act grants, supported projects centered on improving risk communication in corrections and reentry of people convicted of sexual offenses, and worked to expand the Reentry Services Directory. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, she interned at the New York State Assembly as a legislative assistant, as well as with Albany County’s Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center (CVSVC), acting as a victim advocate at Albany Criminal Court on behalf of CVSVC, and at SUNY Albany’s University Police Department (UAPD), also participating in UAPD’s Advisory Committee. Lahiz received a BA in criminal justice from SUNY University at Albany and is completing her MA in forensic psychology at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

career in the nonprofit sector with a focus on organizational operations. She holds a BA from Hampshire College and an MA from New York University. 

of Corrections where she led development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions. In this role, Erin provided extensive training and technical assistance for risk and need assessments, continuous quality improvement, program evaluation, staff coaching, and program redesign. Erin holds a BA in psychology and a BA in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin and an MPA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

be easy for decision-makers across the country to use that data to make informed decisions that advance public safety, equity, and fairness. Before joining the CSG Justice Center, Laura was the director of research and innovation at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to that, she worked in the Boston (MA) Police Commissioner’s Office of Research and Development. Laura holds a BA in sociology from Bates College, an MA in criminology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in criminology and justice policy from Northeastern University. 

matters across internal and external teams and lends her expertise on matters such as automation, onboarding, and Publisher usability. Previously, she worked for American Prison Data Systems as a support associate, where she visited jails and prisons throughout the country and ensured access to educational and rehabilitative resources. She also worked in law enforcement as a community service officer and a crime analyst, providing geographic and statistical analysis to support crime reduction efforts. Stephanie has a BA in criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an MS in criminal justice from Long Island University. 

Department in North Carolina, aiming to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system. She used evidence-based practices to provide youth with the necessary tools to reduce delinquency. Amber also specialized in data analytics and provided up-to-date diversion data for various stakeholders, such as the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Amber has a BS in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an MS in criminal justice from Saint Leo University. 

systems and created school principal professional development sessions. Madison also previously worked with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, where she collaborated with their media relations team on tracking state responses to COVID-19 in prisons and drug policy approaches. Madison has a BS in criminal justice from Towson University and an MPP in social and education policy from George Mason University. 

relating to medical care costs for the county jail system and the youth home detention facility. Ellen also worked as the Brooklyn director for a New York State Senator, and as a special assistant to the state director for a U.S. Senator in Chicago. Ellen holds a BA in Latin American history and sociology from Middlebury College, and an MA in public policy from Duke University.

The Core. As a community activist, the founder of District 5 Coalition, a development consultant for the SC Progressive Network, an organizer at WREN & SC United Coalition, and more, Kelli is dedicated to the betterment of her community. She holds a degree in business management from Miller Motte College.  

Center, Cara worked on multiple local election campaigns throughout Virginia to promote voting awareness. Cara earned a BS in political science and criminal justice from Old Dominion University. 

Levin’s outreach director in Michigan. Stephanie was a Family Advisor Board member to the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), where she advocated for humane treatment of incarcerated people and to increase family connectedness within MDOC. Stephanie holds an MSW concentrating in social policy and program evaluation from the University of Michigan and a BA in psychology from Wayne State University.