CRJ - Key Persons
Abigail Strait joined CJI in August of 2015 while finishing her graduate degree and came on full time in June 2016 after graduation. Abby has worked on many projects during her time with CJI and currently manages a team implementing criminal justice policy changes made through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Abby is driven by a desire to work with jurisdictions to increase fairness, justice, and community safety. Abby holds a Bachelor's degree from Hamline University in Minnesota and a Master's degree in Public Policy from Brandeis University in Massachusetts; during her graduate program she concentrated on criminal justice policy analysis.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Adam Pittman is a sociologist with years of experience researching crime and the criminal justice system. At CJI, Adam uses quantitative and qualitative analyses to study police-community relations. Prior to joining CJI, Adam studied the community context of prisoner re-entry as a research assistant at UMass Boston. Adam is committed to applied research that informs criminal justice policies and practice that make the system more equitable. Adam is currently a doctoral candidate in the Sociology Department at UMass Boston. He holds a MA in Sociology from UMass Boston and a BA in Sociology from the University of Akron.
Adrian Rocha joined CJI in 2019. His main focus is conducting research and evaluating legislation, policies, and practices related to people involved in (and transitioning out of) the criminal and juvenile justice systems, as well as assisting in the development and delivery of presentations regarding evidence-based corrections practices. Prior to joining CJI, Adrian worked with families, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and other community members and stakeholders in Mississippi and Louisiana on issues related to educational equity, youth incarceration, and access to behavioral health services. He is committed to informing and shaping systems that are responsive to a community's need and prioritize public safety. Adrian holds a BA in political science from Texas Lutheran University.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Alison Silveira first entered the criminal justice field by way of the legal world, over time shifting her focus to the use of quantitative methods to analyze criminal justice policy. Alison leads the data analysis phase of CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, analyzing trends in corrections to develop data-driven, evidence-based strategies that inform state criminal justice policy. Alison previously worked on projects for the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department and the Public Policy Institute of California's corrections team. She is committed to conducting rigorous quantitative analysis to guide states through the process of better understanding and reforming their criminal justice systems. Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Human Rights from Barnard College and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley.
Amanda Coscia joined CJI in June of 2019 as a Policy Analyst. Amanda began her career in Washington, D.C. working with criminal justice practitioners and policy makers at the county, state and federal levels. Amanda works to support the policy development phase of CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, helping states utilize data-drive strategies to enhance public safety. Amanda is passionate about strengthening communities and improving the criminal justice system through the use of evidence-based policy reform. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College in Communications.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Brooke House
Andrew has been with CRJ since 2009. He is currently the Program Director at Brooke House and serves on the Data Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Andrew previously was a Program Monitor Supervisor and then Assistant Director at Brooke House. Prior to CRJ, Andrew worked with children at the state facility The Italian Home for Children and at the Bridge Day Care and Bridge After School Program. Andrew attended the University of Hartford in Connecticut, majoring in Education and Minoring in Sociology. During his time in Connecticut, Andrew volunteered at inner city schools in downtown Hartford. He was nominated several times for a Community Service Award given by the University.
Job Titles:
- Director of External Affairs
Andrew Page has more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including an extensive background in criminal and juvenile justice policy reform and in direct work with formerly incarcerated people. Andrew oversees CJI's external relations and business development. He also represents the organization with stakeholders, funders, and partners. In his last position at The Pew Charitable Trusts, Andrew launched partnerships with policy leaders in a dozen states that resulted in comprehensive, evidence-based sentencing and corrections reforms through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Prior to that, Andrew was part of senior management at substance abuse treatment programs and organizations that provided transition and re-entry services for formerly incarcerated people. Andrew holds a bachelor's degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University and a master's degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Community Strategies
Angelo Maroun began working for CRJ as a Residential Counselor in 2003. He became a Director in 2016. He has received two CRJ Stars for exemplary work in 2006 and 2012. Before joining CRJ, Angelo worked for Boston Higashi School and Strategies to Independence (STI a department within BAMSI).
Job Titles:
- Chief Inpatient Adult Psychiatry / Tufts Medical Center / Vice - Chair, Public Sector / Department of Psychiatry
Ashley Melanchook has been working in state and federal public policy for five years. At CJI, Ashley provides support to the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, South Dakota's Task Force on Community Justice and Mental Illness Early Intervention, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative. Ashley is committed to reforming the juvenile justice system and reducing recidivism in communities and states across the country. Ashley graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Science in Government, a Master of Public Administration, and a Master of Science in Political Science.
Job Titles:
- Director of Justice Initiatives
- P.M
Barbara Pierce has more than 20 years' experience in adult and youth justice and consulting at the county, state, and federal levels. Barbara leads a multi-site effort to assist states with the implementation of comprehensive criminal justice policy reforms through Justice Reinvestment, coordinates projects to improve criminal justice responses to those with mental health issues, and directs CJI's Restrictive Housing projects to safely reduce the use of segregation in prisons and jails. Barbara's innovative approach to segregation reform has been featured in corrections publications and presentations to national audiences. Barbara is committed to improving the trajectory of criminal justice policy and practice through strong and diverse partnerships and the real-world application of research to achieve better public and institutional safety outcomes. Barbara received her Master's degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern Maine and has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Providence College.
Becky Berkebile has over seven years of experience in the criminal justice field with expertise in criminal intelligence, program implementation, and community outreach and is committed to implementing evidence-based reform to improve the criminal justice system. At CJI, Becky supports implementation efforts through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, reform in community corrections, and BJA's Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program. Prior to joining CJI, Becky worked for the Governor of Maryland on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative with a primary focus on collaboration with stakeholders to obtain performance metric data to enhance data driven decisions. Becky also worked in Pennsylvania, using her prior experience in criminal and narcotics intelligence to develop and implement effective statewide programs and policy to combat the opioid epidemic. Becky holds a BPS in Criminal Justice from Elizabethtown College and a MA in Criminal Justice from the Pennsylvania State University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer, Health Plans / Martin 's Point Health Care Director
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Human Resources
Cara is a human resources professional with more than two decades of experience in all HR functional areas including recruiting, onboarding, training and development, employee relations, compensation, benefits and HR compliance. As a human resources leader and strategic partner, Cara has aligned HR initiatives with organizational goals and priorities to attract, develop and retain a talented workforce in support of an organization's mission and vision. Cara is a mission-driven leader and has spent the majority of her career working at non-profit health care organizations, most recently serving as Chief Human Resources Officer at HopeHealth in Providence, RI. Cara is committed to, and is an advocate for, developing inclusive leaders and building strong organizational cultures. Cara holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Bridgewater State University and has completed the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SCP) and IFC - Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credentialing.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator ( NH )
Charles has over 10 years' experience working in the Health and Human Services area field and is currently the Community Participation Coordinator for Community Strategies in Keene, NH since 2012. Charles began his career in Bangor, ME working in the Public Relations Department for the Children's Miracle Network. He then spent several years working in marketing and advertising in Washington D.C. In 2008 Charles began working as a CREC educator for Special Education students in the Hartford, CT school district. Charles graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Business.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Adult Policy
Colby Dawley has focused primarily on CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative project, assisting states reform their criminal justice system to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Colby leads a team that reviews a state's criminal justice system, makes policy recommendations, and helps with drafting, passage, and implementation of reforms. Before joining CJI in 2010, Colby worked for several criminal defense attorneys, gaining a thorough understanding of the justice system and developing her passion for legal research on federal and state criminal laws. Colby is committed to assisting states in the development and implementation of criminal justice reforms that align with the research on what works to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and improve outcomes for offenders. Colby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science in Crime and Justice Studies from Suffolk University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Deb joined CRJ as President and CEO in September 2020. She has over 25 years of experience in management and executive leadership through her work with The Providence Center, Rhode Island Hospital, and South Shore Mental Health Center in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Before coming to CRJ, she led many innovative programs and services at the intersection of healthcare delivery, integrated behavioral health, and primary care to address recovery services across Rhode Island, including partnering with police departments to embed clinicians in response teams and to provide clinical services in the Providence Schools. She has both a nursing degree and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Rhode Island.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dominique McCoy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as the clinician at Sargent House. She is also an instructor for Treatment Culture and Trauma Informed Care at CRJ. Dominique has been working in the Social Justice and Human Services field for over 15 years. Dominique, graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Minor in Women Studies and has a Masters in Social Work with a certificate in Trauma Practice from Simmons University.
Dr. James Greer comes to CRJ with over 45 years of behavioral health experience. Dr. Greer is currently employed as a child psychiatrist at Community Care Alliance in Woonsocket, RI after serving as the Clinical Director of Child and Family Services at the Providence Center for over 38 years. Dr. Greer has decades of experience connecting with the communities CRJ supports, including within the RI Prison system as well as serving individuals with developmental disabilities at the Groden Center. Dr. Greer holds academic appointments at Brown University Program in Medicine, Northeastern University, University of St Joseph, and Johnson & Wales University, and he is boarded in both adult and child psychiatry. He holds a BA in Humanities from Providence College, Pre-Med from Rhode Island College, an MD from Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara, an externship from Brown University, Internship General Psychiatry Residency, and a Child Psychiatry Residency from Tulane University. He is fluent is Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Lead Research Scientist and Co - Principal Investigator / National Center for Medical - Legal Partnership / the George Washington University / Emeritus
Erin Allain joined CJI in March 2018 and brings years of experience in research and teaching on the criminal justice system. At CJI, Erin works on the NIC Transition from Jail to Community Initiative and the training team. Erin previously worked with victim advocacy programs in addition to being a Program Monitor at CRJ's McGrath House in Boston. More recently, she assisted with research projects at UMass Boston, including a Shannon-grant funded project focused on collaborating with community partners and law enforcement to prevent youth and gang violence. Erin is currently a doctoral candidate in the Sociology Department at UMass Boston. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Crime and Justice Studies from UMass Dartmouth and a Master of Science in Crime and Justice Studies from Suffolk University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Reentry Services
Ernie Goodno has more than 30 years' experience in the criminal justice field, previous serving as CRJ's Director of Reentry Services. He previously served as program director of Hampshire House, serving on the Senior Management Team as well as the Training Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Ernie previously spent more than 20 years in law enforcement, providing investigative and community policing, and working to reduce reoffending in the state of New Hampshire. Ernie is a four-time recipient of CRJ's CEO Award for individual and group accomplishments as well as CRJ's Star Award for individual achievement. Ernie currently serves on the State of New Hampshire's Judicial Conduct Committee and the Southern New Hampshire University's Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
Frank Stiefel has worked at the community, city, and state level to reform the criminal justice system and improve services for formerly incarcerated individuals in Camden, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Frank supports the implementation of comprehensive juvenile justice reform legislation as part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative. Frank is driven by the impact that criminal justice reform can have in transforming communities for the better. Frank holds a Bachelor of Arts in African/African-American Studies and Political Science from Elon University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from New York University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Innovation, Implementation, and Development
Gabriella Priest oversees Brooke House, Sargent House, Watson Academy, Operation Integrate, Government Relations, and special projects for SJS. Gabriella has worked at CRJ since 2009, with Quality Assurance for SJS, and policy and implementation work for CRJ's Crime and Justice Institute division. At CJI, Gabriella led juvenile justice policy reform in Utah, Kansas, West Virginia, and Kentucky. She had also worked on adult criminal justice reform in Georgia and Oregon, on juvenile justice implementation, and in higher education, the legal field, and state and federal government. Gabriella, who graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, was named one of "Suffolk University's Top Graduates of the Last Decade" in 2015, serves as Vice President of Suffolk's College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board of Directors, is a member of the Sociology Advisory Board, and is an adjunct faculty member for the Sociology Department.
Job Titles:
- Acting General Counsel ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
Gina Abbondandolo joined CJI in September 2015 as an Administrative Assistant and has since become the Administrative Coordinator. She applies her technical and organizational skills to attend to CJI's administrative infrastructure. Gina also provides support in bookkeeping, financial analysis and project assistance. She has previously worked in administrative settings within financial institutions before making the transition into the criminal justice field, combining her interest for criminal and social justice with her administrative experience. Gina holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Criminal Justice Administration.
Gracie Burger joined CJI in July 2017. Her main focus is assisting with the implementation of an effort to improve criminal justice responses to individuals with mental illness in South Dakota. Prior to joining CJI, Gracie did legislative education and research in the juvenile justice system and case management for previously incarcerated individuals. Her direct service experience has motivated her to understand the nuanced challenges associated with criminal and juvenile justice policy at all levels of government. Gracie's educational background encompasses a variety of justice interests, including developmentally appropriate sentencing, recidivism reduction strategies, and alternatives to incarceration. Gracie is committed to improving outcomes for individuals and communities through inter-agency collaboration and evidence-based practices. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Development Studies from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Nursing
- Registered Nurse
Heather Keegan began working at CRJ as a Registered nurse in 2006. She became the Director of Nursing services in 2010. She has received two star awards as well as the CEO award. She attended and graduated from the pilot Emerging Leaders program and is a M.A.P. instructor. Before joining CRJ Heather worked for Strategies to Independence, Bradley and Butler hospital and was the clinical coordinator of the developmental disabilities unit at Arbour Fuller hospital. She holds a Nursing degree from Bristol Community College and attended Rhode Island College.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Behavioral Health
Holly Fitting comes to CRJ with over 28 years of community behavioral health experience. At CRJ, Holly oversees an array of behavioral health programming including domestic violence educational groups, intimate partner violence support and family assessment intervention response, residential programs, our RISE support program for women, and treatment and recovery services for our Massachusetts Reentry programs. Fitting launched a new behavioral health center for CRJ in New Haven, CT in 2022 and will soon launch another facility in New London, CT in 2023. Prior to coming to CRJ, she was the Vice President of Addiction, Residential, and Recovery Services at The Providence Center. At the Providence Center, she was a founding leader of Anchor Recovery Services, where Fitting helped develop the first recovery community centers for those struggling with addiction. Holly holds a Bachelor's degree in communications and a Master's degree in counseling from Rhode Island College. She is dually licensed in mental health and addictions in both RI and CT.
Job Titles:
- Associate Justice ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Associate Justice ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Brooke House
Howard Jardine has over 30 years' experience in the juvenile and criminal justice fields, and is currently the Program Director at Brooke House. He also serves on the Programming Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Howard previously directed two youth programs at CRJ and has worked as a counselor and senior program supervisor, and as a community monitor at a day reporting center. Howard has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Eastern Nazarene College.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Community Strategies
Janet began working at CRJ in 2003 as a Residential Counselor and was later on promoted to Assistant Manager, Manager, Program Coordinator and finally to her current position, Assistant Director. During her tenure at CRJ she has received the HRO of the Year Award, and in 2006 and 2007 she was recognized for her outstanding performance. In 2009 she received the CEO Award of Excellence. Before coming to CRJ Janet was the owner and operator of Happy Kids Daycare for six years. She also worked for TLC Nursing. Janet graduated from Shrewsbury High School and attended Quinsigamond Community College.
Jasmine Jackson joined the Crime and Justice Institute in February 2017. Jasmine supports CJI's work advancing juvenile justice reform through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. She has been working in the field of criminal justice as a juvenile justice practitioner for four years. Jasmine has experience working in the areas of court investigation, probation and re-entry at the state level. She enjoys providing volunteer services to delinquent and at-risk youth through mentorship, facilitating pro-social workshops and developing community service events. Jasmine has a zeal for juvenile justice reform and believes recidivism can be reduced by the implementation of evidence-based practices. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Benedict College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.
Job Titles:
- Contract Oversight Manager
Jeff Korsak has been with CRJ since 2014 and is currently Contract Oversight Manager within the Social Justice Services division. He previously served as Program Director at Houston House and Assistant Director and Case Manager at Horizon House, and he participated on the Data Committee. Jeff, who graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Forensic Mental Health from the Sage Colleges, is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society and a previous volunteer counselor at the Albany Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center.
Jen Christie has more than 15 years of experience working in criminal and juvenile justice, with a focus on education, training, and research. Jen leads training and implementation efforts for legislative reform initiatives for both the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative. In her previous work, Jen has taught and trained students, researchers, and criminal justice staff on policing, corrections, evidence-based practices, trafficking, and theoretical criminology and sociology. Jen is focused on improving the criminal and juvenile justice systems through education, research, and utilization of current knowledge. She holds a BA in Sociology from Kansas State University, a BA Honours in Criminology and MCrim from Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) and completed the course work and qualifying exams for a Ph.D at Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Sargent House
Jennifer Sirois has 15 years of experience in the juvenile and criminal justice fields as well as child welfare. Jennifer is currently the Program Director at Sargent House and serves on the Training Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Prior to her role at Sargent House for CRJ, Jennifer spent 12 years in the juvenile justice field working in conjunction with the Department of Youth Services. She was the Project Manager for the Northeast Region and has worked with CRJ for a total of 10 years in Day Reporting and reentry programs. Jennifer graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Job Titles:
- Senior Trainer and Policy Specialist
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Jesse Revicki has been working in the criminal justice field for nearly 10 years, focusing on data analysis, pretrial technical assistance, and quality assurance. Jesse is the lead analyst for several CJI validation studies of pretrial assessment tools and pretrial implementation technical assistance projects. Jesse recently authored a publication detailing the implementation options and challenges available to cities and counties when pursuing pretrial reform based on best practices, and developed a quality assurance system that has been adopted by the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch. He is committed to helping jurisdictions ensure the pretrial process is as fair and efficient as possible without compromising public safety. Jesse holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University.
Jessica Hickman has focused her career on victim services within the criminal justice system, specifically working with offenders, victims, and children who have been involved with, experienced, or witnessed domestic violence. Jessica splits her time at CJI between the Phase II Justice Reinvestment Initiative and supporting Pretrial Technical Assistance in various states. Over the years in direct service, Jessica has seen the impact trauma and interactions with the criminal justice system can have on both victims and offenders. She is passionate about improving the justice system for all parties involved and is committed to effective, evidence-based policy reform. Jessica holds a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University.
Joanna Abaroa-Ellison joined CJI in 2019. She began her career working in law enforcement and corrections in programmatic as well as data and research capacities. Joanna splits her time at CJI between policing and policy projects, working to improve public safety and the delivery of justice throughout the United States. Joanna is committed to using data-driven policies and practices to reduce disparities and the negative impact of the criminal justice system in the lives of those who come into contact with it. Joanna holds a BA in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and an MSW in Macro Social Work from Boston College.
Job Titles:
- Vice President ( Retired )
John brings a lifelong dedication to criminal justice reform and human services to his role overseeing CRJ. He joined the Crime and Justice Foundation (now CRJ) in 1974 as supervisor of case managers at the Deer Island House of Correction, and became Chief Executive in 1985. John has consulted to federal, state, local, and foreign criminal justice agencies. He serves on the board of the Providers Council and is past president, and is a director of Inner City Weightlifting. He is past president and a founding member of Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and past president of the International Community Corrections Association. John served on Massachusetts' Special Commission to Study the Commonwealth's Criminal Justice System (2012), Governor's Commission on Criminal Justice Innovation (2002), the Governor's Advisory Council on Corrections (1989) and the Governor's Advisory Council Youth Services (1999).
Job Titles:
- Adjutant General ( Retired )
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Coolidge House
Joseph Jarvis has been with CRJ since 2009 and is currently the Program Director at Coolidge House. He also serves as the Data Committee Chair of SJS's Operation Integrate. Joseph is the CPI instructor for SJS Division and a CRJ Star Award recipient. Joseph has served as the Program Administrator, Assistant Director, and Maintenance Technician at Coolidge, and as a Shift Supervisor and Program Monitor at Hampshire House. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Johnson State College.
Julie Finn has been with Community Resources for Justice for more than 15 years and works to improve criminal justice programs, policies, and services. She previously worked in CRJ's Crime and Justice Institute division, and in 2015, she began to work closely with the Social Justice Services division to provide technical assistance and project management for CRJ's "Operation Integrate" initiative. This initiative was a collaborative effort between CJI and SJS, bringing the expertise of the two divisions together to enhance the use of evidence-based practices in CRJ's programs to do what works and what matters to reduce the risk of CRJ clients re-offending. Julie manages implementation efforts related to data-driven decision making, risk/need assessment, and training and coaching to support staff development in best practices. Julie is certified to provide CJI's Effective Case Management, Graduated Responses, and Core Correctional Practices trainings. Additionally, she is trained to facilitate the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute's Cognitive Behavioral Interventions: A Comprehensive Curriculum and to administer the Ohio Risk Assessment System tools. Julie is committed to working with external and internal partners to improve systems and processes and to understanding the challenges of implementing research-based practices in the field. Julie graduated from Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Sargent House
Justin has been with CRJ since October 2019 and is currently the Program Director at Sargent House. Justin has been working with at-risk youth with complex trauma backgrounds since 2000. Justin's extensive experience includes working with latency-aged children, adolescent youth, and young adults. Justin has worked in settings in Boston, Metro Boston, and New Hampshire. Justin was an integral member of leadership team that managed a 166-acre residential and education program for children and youth with a wide range of educational, emotional, and behavioral challenges. More recently, Justin was the Program Director in a co-ed 45-day group home with a goal of rapid stabilization and integration into home or a less restrictive setting. That program served youth struggling with emotional challenges because of trauma and/or family conflict, and behavioral challenges including truancy, elopement, and substance abuse. Justin is a graduate from Springfield College with an undergraduate degree in Human Service and a master's degree in Management and Organizational Leadership.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
- Policy Specialist
Justine Fowler joined the Crime and Justice Institute in January 2019. Justine supports CJI's work advancing juvenile justice reform through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Prior to joining the staff of CJI, Justine worked for over seven years as the lead research analyst for Pennsylvania's Juvenile Court Judges' Commission, a government entity responsible for the oversight of juvenile justice in the state. In that capacity, Justine was responsible for the development of reports and presentations for state and local stakeholders related to trend analyses, gap analyses, system resource utilization, the evaluation of implemented evidence-based practices, and outcome measures. Justine also completed the state's recidivism work, a process she developed during her time as a Stoneleigh Foundation Fellow. Justine holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mansfield University and a Master of Art in Criminal Justice from Penn State University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Technology, CVS / Director
Katie Hoglund joined the team at CJI in July 2019 with over 8 years of experience in the criminal justice field. At CJI, Katie focuses on adult justice policy analysis and reform at both the state and federal levels. In her last position, Katie served as Chief of Compliance and Integrity for the Maryland Division of Pretrial Detention and Services, where she ensured compliance with safety standards for Baltimore's six pretrial facilities, through the development of policies and procedures, data monitoring, and operational integrity. Prior to that, Katie was a Senior Analyst at Abt Associates, focusing on project work related to human trafficking, the DEA's response to high intensity drug trafficking, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Katie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a master's degree in Criminology, and from the University of Maryland with dual bachelor's degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Katie Zafft has over 10 years of experience working in criminal justice policy evaluation and implementation. Katie's professional research experience includes both quantitative and qualitative data analysis at the local, state, and national level to evaluate a wide range of criminal justice topics, including the intersection of law enforcement and drug policy, community supervision strategies, drug court implementation, sentencing guidelines, and felony theft statutes. Her work for The Pew Charitable Trusts' public safety performance project involved evaluating state criminal justice policy reforms to advance research-based strategies in sentencing and corrections. Katie is passionate about the development and use of criminal justice data systems to inform implementation of criminal justice policies and practices. She holds a BA in Psychology from St. Catherine's University in St. Paul, Minnesota, an MA in Criminology from the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland.
Kelly Waltman has over 20 years of justice system experience, including victim advocacy and community corrections work at the local level, and in more recent years state-level policy and reform work. Kelly helps advance CJI's Restrictive Housing Improvement Project by providing project management and consultation; she is also part of CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative team and assists with pretrial justice work. Prior to joining CJI, Kelly served as the Director for Pennsylvania's Center for Juvenile Justice Training and Research. During her tenure she led the development and implementation of the state's online learning platform for juvenile justice practitioners, in addition to advancing the agency's research profile and serving on several statewide committees and advisory groups. Kelly is passionate about using research to guide justice reform and promoting fundamental fairness and equity. In addition to her practitioner-related work, she has over a decade of experience working in academia, serving as a criminal justice faculty member for multiple institutions. Kelly holds a B.A. in Psychology from Messiah College, an M.S. in Administration of Criminal Justice from Shippensburg University, where she earned the Dr. Anthony F. Ceddia Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Juvenile Justice, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Temple University.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, LightHouse
Kimberly joined CRJ in 2020, and is the Director at the LightHouse Residential Reentry Center. Kimberly brings over 30 years of social service experience to CRJ, overseeing residential programs for a variety of populations, including individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, children and adults in the behavioral health system, youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice system, and victims and survivors of domestic violence. Kimberly received her Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from the University at Buffalo, her Master's degree in Human Services Administration from Buffalo State College, and her Doctorate in Health Administration from D'Youville College. Kimberly also serves on the Board of Directors of a refugee resettlement agency and on the Advisory Committee for a theater for individuals with disabilities. In 2020, she was awarded an Exemplary Service Award for her work in human services by D'Youville College.
Job Titles:
- Office Coordinator ( Mass. )
Kris is our Office Coordinator for Community Strategies of Massachusetts. She is a key administrative contributor and an effective liaison with IT and Facilities. Before becoming Office Coordinator, she was Program Manager for our Leominster Program. Kris has been recognized by CRJ with awards in numerous occasions for her outstanding performance. Kris graduated from Clinton High School, with concentration on business courses.
Leah Samuel joined CJI in 2015. She provides research and project support for a variety of projects, including both phases of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative - policy development and implementation - with a focus on statutory analysis and legislative drafting. Prior to joining CJI, Leah worked as an investigator for the Orleans Public Defenders Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is motivated by the transformative power of good data in national and state-level conversations around corrections. Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley in Economics and Development Studies.
Leila Khelfaoui has dedicated many years of employment to working with at-risk youth and children with behavioral challenges. Leila works to support the implementation of comprehensive juvenile justice reform legislation as part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative. Leila's educational background encompasses a variety of criminal and juvenile justice interests such as justice-involved youth, community-based interventions and administrative segregation. Leila is motivated by juvenile justice reform that focuses on evidence-based practices and producing positive outcomes for the youth and families. Leila holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Justice, Law and Criminology from American University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Policy & Campaigns
Len Engel has been working on criminal and juvenile justice policy issues for more than 25 years and today leads CJI's work in both areas. Since joining CJI in 2005, Len's focus has been on policy analysis and legislative and regulatory reform. He has directed criminal justice reform projects in South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Oregon, South Dakota, Mississippi, Utah, Maryland, and Alaska as part of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative of the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Pew Charitable Trusts. With leaders at Pew, Len helped create a Justice Reinvestment approach that assists states in developing data-driven, evidence-based strategies that improve safety, reduce the unnecessary use of incarceration, and redirect resources to recidivism reduction policies and practices. Before joining CJI, Len worked in the Massachusetts State Senate, as an ombudsman under contract with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, and as a practicing lawyer.
Job Titles:
- Associate Department Director for New Hampshire
Leslie started working for CRJ in 2004 as an Assistant Director for Community Strategies in New Hampshire. In 2014 she was promoted to Associate Department Director. Before coming to CRJ, she worked for the Developmental Disabilities Council as the Coordinator of Research and Planning and was intimately involved developing trainings for Direct Support Professionals, and statistical data collection for the state of New Hampshire. Leslie has spent her life advocating for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and ensuring that to their fullest ability they are living independently and are active members of their community. Leslie has a Master's Degree from Springfield College School of Human Services in Organizational Management and Leadership.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Brooke House
Lisa Chute has been with CRJ since 2009. She is currently the Program Director at Brooke House and serves on the Data Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Prior to her current position, Lisa worked in several CRJ programs in various roles. Most recently, Lisa has served as Program Director of McGrath House. Before that, her roles included Case Manager at McGrath House and the Assistant Director at McGrath House and Coolidge House. Lisa graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Lisa served on the Manchester Healthcare for the Homeless Advisory Board as Treasurer from 2014-2016. Lisa received the Integrity award from CRJ in 2018. She also received the Unsung Hero award in 2010 for performing lifesaving measures on an individual while at a family outing.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Senior Policy Specialist
Lisa Margulies is an attorney with extensive experience at the frontlines of the criminal justice system and poverty law. Lisa helps state governments examine their statutes and practices to develop evidence-based policies to improve their criminal and juvenile justice systems. Prior to joining CJI, Lisa served as an Assistant Public Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, where she represented low-income clients in criminal and juvenile cases and received multiple awards for her service. Lisa's experience in direct service has helped her to understand the multifaceted and nuanced challenges associated with criminal justice policy and solidified her commitment to improving the criminal justice system on a national level. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Education from City University of New York, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a Toll Public Interest Scholar.
Madeline Warren has more than seven years of experience in criminal justice as a practitioner at the county and state levels working with offenders in the fields of corrections, prisoner reentry, and pretrial services. Madeline leads implementation of legislatively-mandated criminal justice reforms as a part of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Her research and publications focus on effective pretrial interventions, risk assessments, and victimization trends among minority populations. Madeline is committed to assisting criminal justice agencies to utilize evidence based practices to maximize limited resources and public safety while creating an environment for change for offenders. Madeline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado - Boulder and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Maja Vlajnic joined CJI's data team in 2019 and works primarily with adult corrections and community supervision. She brings to the role an extensive background in scholarly research on criminal justice, as well as interdisciplinary experience in analytical work. In addition to her academic experience, she has worked on projects exploring the impact of forensic evidence on sexual assault case progression, investigating commodity misinvoicing in international trade data, and collecting and analyzing qualitative data on hate crimes. Maja is currently a doctoral candidate at Northeastern University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BA in English and a BA and MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Watson Academy
Marcy Rosenthal has more than 25 years' experience in education and training within the juvenile and criminal justice fields and is currently the Program Director of Watson Academy, serving as the Project Manager of the Training Committee of SJS's Operation Integrate. Marcy provides training to SJS staff rooted in evidence-based practices, including EPICS (Effective Practices in Correctional Settings) and ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System).
Marcy previously spent 16 years in the Educational Coordinator role at CRJ's juvenile justice program, working with teens referred by the Department of Youth Services before taking on her current role as Program Director. Marcy graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and is currently a certified educator and is also certified as a First Aid/CPR Instructor through the American Red Cross.
Margot Isman has varied experience in systems improvement consulting working with organizations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their monitoring and evaluation systems. Margot supports CJI's work on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative project as well as the Mental Health Task Force in South Dakota. Previously, Margot served as the Managing Director of Vera Solutions, providing technical assistance to non-profits on the implementation of data collection and analysis systems, and as a Legislative Aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Margot is committed to improving the effectiveness of criminal justice systems through evidence-based policies. Margot holds a BA in History from Stanford University and a MA in International Affairs from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Job Titles:
- Contracts & Business Manager
Martha Gilford has over 20 years of experience in the public sector with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, first as a social worker in child protection and later in the Finance and Business Administration arena. For the last 7 years she has focused her work in the fiscal departments of several mission driven nonprofit agencies and most recently managed the state and federal contracts for a Domestic Violence agency. She is committed to using her knowledge of federal contracts and budgeting to support the work of the Institute. Martha has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Services and Minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of New Hampshire.
Matthew began his work with CRJ in 2009 and has held various positions at programs in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He previously served as a Program Director at Coolidge House and McGrath House in Boston. He sits on various CRJ committees including the SJS Operation Integrate Assessment Committee and the CRJ Retention Committee. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from Clark University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of External Affairs
Megan joined CRJ in January of 2023. In her role as Director of Communications, Megan leads CRJ's internal and external communications strategy, focusing on media relations, digital media, project management, and improving internal communications structures. Megan is a mission-driven communications professional with more than a decade of experience in nonprofits, politics, and advocacy. Megan holds bachelors' degrees in communications and political science from Northeastern University and a master's degree in politics and public policy from Northeastern University.
Melinda joined CJI in October 2018 after a year as a part-time intern. Melinda maintains the Coming Home Directory, CJI's Boston area reentry resource guide, and provides support to the Shannon Community Safety Initiative in Fall River. Melinda is committed to improving the lives and promoting the rights of people involved in the justice system while emphasizing the importance of data driven policies. Melinda graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Environmental Studies and a double minor in Sociology and Biology.
Michael Kane has been working in the criminal justice field for more than 10 years, with a focus on applied research. Mike leads a variety of efforts for CJI, including acting as site lead and managing CJI's Justice Reinvestment at Local Level efforts, and overseeing the pilot testing of a domestic violence risk assessment tool for a state probation agency. Mike has experience working with a wide variety of criminal justice stakeholders, with a particular focus on corrections and community corrections, in research, technical assistance, and consulting capacities. Mike is committed to improving criminal justice systems through structured assessment, application of research, collection of data, and analysis. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northeastern University and a Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- in 1997 As a Residential Counselor
- Senior Director, Massachusetts
Michelle joined CRJ in 1997 as a Residential Counselor. She was promoted to the position of Program Manager in 2000. In 2004 she moved to an administrative position for Community Strategies. In 2009 she became the Director of Business Administration, working on contracts and budgets. In 2012 she was promoted to the position of Associate Director, and in 2014 was again promoted to the position of Senior Director. She currently oversees the operations of 25 residential programs, 27 shared living placements, nursing and administrative services at CS. Before her employment with CRJ, Michelle worked for the Institute of Professional Practice, the Rockport Shoe Company and the Internal Revenue Service.
She completed the Clark University Masters Certificate in Human Services Management Program in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Western Mass. Reentry Center
Misty has been with CRJ since 2019 and is currently the Program Director at Foundation House. Misty previously spent over 17 years in the human services and criminal justice field in Western Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. During that time, Misty worked with survivors of domestic violence, forensic reentry programming, juvenile reentry programming, and dual diagnosis stabilization programming. Misty graduated from American International College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology.
Job Titles:
- Kuwait Air Defense Program Director / Raytheon / Director
Molly Robustelli joined CJI in February 2017 as a Research Assistant, having previously spent a period of time as a part-time intern. Molly assists in the production of the Coming Home Directory, a reentry resource guide for the Boston-area, in addition to supporting the policy development phase of CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative projects. Molly is committed to reforming the justice system through the use of data-driven approaches that reduce the reliance on incarceration, while also creating safer and stronger communities. Molly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in Government and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Horizon House
Monique has been with CRJ since 2020 and is currently the Program Director for Horizon House. She 11 years of experience in Human Services primarily working with homeless adults and at-risk youth. Monique has held several management positions and has led several teams at non-profit agencies in Upstate New York. Monique holds a Bachelors in Human Services and is expected to obtain a Masters in Criminal Justice with a focus on Homeland Security and Emergency Management in 2020.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Noah Atchison joined CJI in July 2019. He supports CJI's pretrial work where he analyzes pretrial outcomes and performs risk assessment validation. He also assists states implementing reforms through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative with performance measure development more broadly. Before joining CJI, Noah worked at the Brennan Center for Justice on a long-term study of the fiscal impact of criminal fines and fees. As part of this role he managed data collection and analysis, as well as organizing court watching, survey development, and stakeholder outreach. He is committed to developing comprehensive and ethical means of tracking outcomes in the justice system, and to improving data transparency as part of broader criminal justice reform efforts. Noah holds a BA in Economics from Reed College.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Quality and Compliance
Oyeyemi began working for CRJ in 2003. He previously held the positions of Residential Director II, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator in CRJ's Community Strategies programs in Massachusetts and served on the Positive Behavioral Support (BPS) leadership team. He holds an MBA with a focus on analytics from Bryant University and a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in general business from the University of Rhode Island. Oyeyemi graduated with the highest distinction (Summa Cum Laude) and is a lifetime member of 3 honor societies: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Sigma Lambda, and The International Honor Society in Psychology (PSI CHI).
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Vice President
As CFO of Community Resources for Justice, Peter will be responsible for financial and operations management, including supporting the finance, technology services, and facilities teams. Peter will also partner with the executive team to drive CRJ's next stage of expansion and service delivery.
Peter joins CRJ from Dimock Community Health Center, where he held numerous leadership positions during a highly successful 22-year career at the Boston-based community health provider. Under his leadership as Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance at Dimock, Peter increased their cash and reserve funds, successfully restructured debt, and streamlined financial operations to reduce cash shortfall. His work oversaw massive building renovation projects, an IT upgrade, and leadership on their marketing and philanthropy efforts. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter served as interim Chief Executive Officer, where he led and oversaw all patient and employee initiatives to guarantee care at Dimock could continue safely. Peter holds an MBA and BA in Economics from Boston College.
Job Titles:
- Principal / Patch & Associates LLC / Director
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Human Resources & Culture
Pierre is a seasoned human resources professional with 17 years of benefits and HR experience. He Joined CRJ in January 2017 as a Benefits Manager. In September 2018, he was promoted to the Assistant Director providing key supervision and direction to the HR department, as well as developing and implementing programs that support the goals, objectives, and mission of CRJ and the individuals we serve. He was promoted to Vice President for Human Resources and Culture in 2021.
Pierre has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Salem State University and is in the process of pursuing his Masters in Human Resources Management at Northeastern University. Pierre has also earned both the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (CP) and Senior Certified Professional (SCP) certifications. The certification represents an applied learning in the areas of strategic planning, leading an HR function, fostering influence in the community, analyzing performance metrics, and aligning HR strategies to organizational goals.
Quentin joined CJI in September of 2017. Before that he spent five years at the Essex County District Attorney's Office, where he worked as an ADA in the Appeals, Superior, and District Court Divisions. He has litigated many jury trials in the District and Superior Courts, and has argued dozens of criminal cases before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Drawing on his extensive experience as a practitioner, he is committed to improving the effectiveness, fairness, and safety of criminal justice systems through the use of evidence-based policies. He has a JD from Northeastern University School of Law, and a BFA from New York University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Vice President
Rick joined CRJ in 2008. He has more than 10 years of experience as a chief financial officer for large not-for-profits. Prior to CRJ Rick served in a similar capacity at the Massachusetts Medical Society, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the National Fire Protection Association. In the for-profit sector he held a number of financial management positions with Raytheon Company, including controller of their publishing division, D.C. Heath; corporate audit manager; and manager of budgets and financial controls. At CRJ Rick is responsible for finance, human resources, information technology, and facilities management. He holds a B.A from Boston College and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer / LPN Holding Company, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Sam Packard has conducted criminal justice research for the past four years, focusing on a wide array of topics including reentry services, community policing, and state-level policy reform. Sam leads the data analysis phase of CJI's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, analyzing trends in corrections to develop data-driven, evidence-based strategies that inform state criminal justice policy. Sam graduated from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Legal Studies and from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Science in Criminology.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Field Education / Graduate School of Social Work
Job Titles:
- Vice President & Associate General Counsel / Raytheon / Director
Sarah Lawrence has more than 15 years of experience in research and policy analysis in the field of criminal justice. Sarah leads an assessment of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services' Collaborative Reform Initiative looking at program implementation at seven police departments across the country. Sarah has experience as a research partner with a variety of criminal justice agencies including police departments, sheriffs' departments, and state departments of corrections. Sarah is interested in improving justice systems by bridging the worlds of practice and research. Sarah graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and holds a Master's in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel, Casner & Edwards / Emeritus
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Community Strategies ( Mass. )
Shannon Newcomb began working at CRJ in 1998 as a Residential Counselor and in 1999 became a manager. In 2003, she left CRJ temporarily to stay at home with her children. In 2010, Shannon returned to CRJ as a Program Manager and in 2016, she was promoted to Assistant Director. During her years at CRJ, she received the employee of the year award and have become a Human Rights Trainer and a CPR Trainer. Shannon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Becker College. Prior to CRJ, she worked as a Behavioral Specialist for Homestead, out of Woonsocket R.I. CRJ has been Shannon's professional home since graduating from college.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Crime and Justice Institute
Spurgeon Kennedy has over 40 years experience helping adult justice systems implement fair, legal, and effective practices that respect the rights of justice-involved individuals and the safety of local communities. Spurgeon has provided technical assistance and support to local, state, and national justice systems and organizations on issues such as improving bail decision-making, implementing outcome and performance metrics, developing pretrial services agencies, alternatives to incarceration, system mapping, pretrial diversion, and work- and caseload analysis. He also has served as a facilitator and training faculty member for agencies at the federal, state, and local level. Spurgeon holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master's degree in Public Administration, both from the George Washington University. Spurgeon also is the current President of the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA).
Job Titles:
- Investment Committee Member, Head of Founder 's Research Team
Job Titles:
- Shared Living Director / Human Rights Coordinator ( Mass. )
Suzanne is the Shared Living Director and Human Rights Coordinator. She has been with CRJ since October of 1997. She has had many roles within the agency including Residential Counselor, and Assistant Director. Suzanne has received the CEO award on two occasions during her time with the agency. She continues to advocate for the individuals through her role as the Human Rights Coordinator.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Assistant Director, Community Strategies ( Mass. )
Tammy began working for CRJ in 2011 as a Program Manager. In 2013, she became Program Coordinator. Tammy was promoted to Assistant Director in 2016. Before coming to CRJ, Tammy worked for the Institute of Professional Practice, the Perkins School, and Southern Worcester County Rehabilitation Center (now Life-Skills, Inc.).
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director for Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire
Terry has worked in CRJ's clinical department since 2001 and is currently the Community Strategies Director of Clinical Services. Previously, Terry worked as a psychologist for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services for over twenty years. Terry is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He graduated from Kalamazoo College and received a Master of Arts from Northeastern University.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Juvenile Justice Initiatives
Tessa Upin began her career in juvenile justice reform at the county level and has expanded her work to state-level policy reform, primarily assisting state and local juvenile justice agencies to design and implement data and research-driven policies. Tessa leads implementation of comprehensive juvenile justice reform legislation as part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative. She previously worked for the state of New Jersey at the Juvenile Justice Commission and was awarded the New Jersey Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Innovation for her work on statewide implementation of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). Tessa is driven by the positive impact juvenile justice system reform has on youth, families, communities and states across the country. Tessa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Science in Criminology.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President / WS Development Associates LLC / Emeritus
Tia Tallman began working for CRJ in 2000 as a Direct Support Professional in New Hampshire. She became Program Coordinator in 2003. Tia was promoted to Assistant Director in 2012. She received the CRJ CEO Award in 2005 for her outstanding performance. Before coming to CRJ, Tia was a stay at home mom. She has been formed as a professional in her field through practice and training at CRJ.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO / Katahdin Industries, Inc. Treasurer
Valerie Meade has worked in criminal justice for over 20 years, with expertise in the areas of cognitive behavioral interventions, case management, model fidelity, and continuous quality improvement, and extensive experience with adult and juvenile populations on community supervision, in correctional facilities, and in substance abuse treatment. In her current role, Valerie assists states throughout the country with implementation and sustainability of Justice Reinvestment policies. Valerie was named Community Corrections Employee of the Year for the State of Kansas in 2012 for implementing sustainable evidence-based practices and Supervisor of the Year in 2017 for supporting staff through culture change to foster evidence-based practices. Valerie is committed to improving the quality of criminal justice programs and interventions through collaboration and implementation of sustainable research-based strategies that lead to improved public safety. Valerie graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Job Titles:
- Data and Policy Specialist
Vienna Thompkins joined CJI in May 2018. At CJI, Vienna supports implementation efforts for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative, as well as contributing to pretrial justice work. Prior to joining CJI, Vienna conducted research and data analysis for a study pertaining to the use of fines and fees across nine counties and three states, in addition to supporting an economic impact of mass incarceration study and reporting on national crime trends. Vienna is committed to developing creative, data-driven solutions to issues in the criminal justice system, and to improving the management and accessibility of data for the benefit of internal and external stakeholders. Vienna graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Economics and a Master of Public Administration, with a Certificate in Data Analytics.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator ( NH )
Wendy joined CRJ in 2007. Before becoming our Program Coordinator, she was a Director Support Professional for CSNH, Program Monitor at our Social Justice Services Department, and Assistant Manager at CSNH. In 2015, Wendy received the CRJ's Star Award for Outstanding Performance. Prior to working for CRJ, she worked for First Merchant Payment Systems, and Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank. Additionally, she worked as an independent private consultant for about 19 years. Wendy completed an Associate Degree in Management from Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Vice President
Wendy joined CRJ in 2021. She is a Certified Public Accountant with 25 years of experience in Accounting and Finance in a broad range of industries. She has served in a variety of management roles of increasing importance, including three years serving as CFO of Turning Point, Inc., a human services nonprofit organization. She began her career within Financial Services holding various security trading licenses for such companies as AIG, Smith Barney and Oppenheimer. After transitioning to focus on corporate finance, Wendy led teams for large global companies, including Osram Sylvania, Bennett & Co, and PerkinElmer. Wendy graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and from the University of Denver with a Master of Science in Finance.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Developmental Services
Bill serves as Vice President for CRJ and leads the Community Strategies division of the organization. Bill brings nearly three decades of experience working with individuals and families in the community. He has extensive experience in program operations; initially as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, followed quickly by roles of increasing accountability including director-level responsibility for program operations and human resources. Bill received a bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and earned a masters of social work degree from Boston University. He has completed post graduate clinical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as a certificate program in non-profit human service management from Clark University.
Job Titles:
- Senior Data and Policy Specialist
Yamanda Wright has extensive experience in designing and implementing empirical evaluations of juvenile justice policies. She supports both the data analysis and system description phases of CJI's juvenile justice initiatives. Trained as a developmental psychologist, Yamanda previously served as Director of Research at Texas Appleseed, where she examined state laws and local policies that disproportionately affect under-served youth, such as school district practices that contribute to the over-representation of low-income youth in school-based citations and arrests. Her published work has also received the American Psychological Association's prestigious Kenneth B. and Mamie P. Clark Award. Yamanda holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in psychology from Stanford University.