Annual Virtual Event

Michelle Beck serves as the Director of North Carolina’s Statistical Analysis Center, known as the Criminal Justice Analysis Center (CJAC), housed within the Governor’s Crime Commission. In this role, she leads statewide efforts to collect, analyze, and disseminate data that inform criminal justice policy and practice. Her work advances evidence-based decision-making by providing stakeholders with accurate, timely, and actionable research across a range of issues, including public safety, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. She was also instrumental in the development of the Justice Data Portal, a public-facing platform offering access to criminal justice data at both the state and county levels (justicedataportal.nc.gov).

She holds both Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees in Sociology from North Carolina State University and brings over 30 years of experience in social research and program evaluation. Her expertise spans quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with a strong foundation in evidence-based practices. Throughout her career, Ms. Beck has served on multiple criminal justice advisory task forces and held research and evaluation positions in several key North Carolina state agencies, including:

• Program Evaluation Division, NC General Assembly

• State Center for Health Statistics

• Department of Correction

• Labor and Economic Analysis Division, NC Department of Commerce

• Administrative Analysis, NC Department of Public Safety

Constance Kostelac, PhD is an assistant professor with the Institute for Health and Humanity, Division of Epidemiology and Social Science at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Director of the Division of Data Analytics and Informatics for the Comprehensive Injury Center. She has over 20 years of both academic and applied research, analysis and evaluation experience related to the criminal justice system on a wide variety of topics and she is now working at the intersection of public safety and public health. Her current interests include violence and overdose prevention activities, various projects surrounding substance misuse, including excessive alcohol use, and the intersection with the criminal justice system. She also focuses on the value of data sharing within and beyond the criminal justice system. Dr. Kostelac has been the lead, research partner or principal investigator on more than 15 federal, state pass-through, and local grants. Prior to joining MCW in 2019 she most recently served as the Director of the Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) where she was on the NCJA Board and Advisory Council as the designee for the State Administering Agency (SAA) and was also the Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) Director for the State of Wisconsin. She is currently serving as a regional representative and board member for NCJA. Dr. Kostelac holds a BA in Criminology and Law Studies and Psychology, MS in Criminology, and an interdisciplinary PhD in Justice Studies.

Jeff Asher is Co-Founder of AH Datalytics. Jeff is a nationally recognized data analyst with expertise in evaluating criminal justice data. Jeff’s work has been instrumental in informing the public discourse on the challenges of using incomplete data to support analyses and inform decisions to solve complex problems.

Before launching AH Datalytics, Jeff worked as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency where he worked on topics for the U.S. Department of Defense, and as an analyst with the New Orleans Police Department. He has conducted countless qualitative analyses to produce comprehensive data products to support decision-making.

Jeff has pioneered the use of data visualizations to display compelling insights into the New Orleans criminal justice system in his role as a public safety consultant for the New Orleans City Council. He has refined his authority as an analyst through ingenuity, creativity, and a strong belief that 21st Century analytics is the key to helping organizations access the information that matters.

Jeff’s work has been published in numerous national publications, including FiveThirtyEight, The New York Times, Slate, and more. Jeff obtained his master’s degree from George Washington University and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas.

Lori Pesci serves as Director of Public Safety for Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, where she leads strategy and policy across criminal justice, homeland security, and public safety initiatives. She also directs the County’s Emergency Management Agency, supporting first responders and community partners in planning for, responding to, and recovering from crises of all kinds.

Ms. Pesci also leads Summit County’s public safety communications initiatives. Her responsibilities include oversight of the countywide radio system, the regional computer-aided dispatch (CAD) platform, and the successful consolidation of multiple emergency dispatch centers into a unified system to enhance efficiency and coordination.

She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University. She earned her Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and attended the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Sam Koch is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD). In this role, she serves as the agency's primary liaison to the General Assembly and Governor's Office, and supports statewide policy, funding, and legislative efforts on key public safety issues impacting individuals and communities across the Commonwealth. Sam spearheaded the development and launch of Pennsylvania's Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grant Program and accompanying technical assistance initiative and has authored multiple state-level plans and reports on behalf of the agency. Sam also helped launch Pennsylvania's Office of Gun Violence Prevention, serving as its inaugural Interim Director. Before joining PCCD in 2019, Sam held policy roles in the Governor's Office and Pennsylvania Department of Education, and has experience in the nonprofit sector with organizations like the Clery Center. She holds a political science degree from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

Daina Moran is the Deputy Director for the State of Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, OCJP.  The Office of Criminal Justice Programs is a division of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, managing state and federal grant funding for the Department and ensuring the funding is granted to local private and public entities, as well as state agencies, to assist the citizens of the state. OCJP manages a systematic, year-round cycle for monitoring trends in Tennessee’s communities, assessing the condition of the state’s resources, setting program priorities, making grant allocation decisions, managing those grant funded projects, measuring performance, and evaluating the results of those decisions. The process helps OCJP set funding priorities, prepare its budget requests, and direct its limited resources to areas that promise the best return for the public’s investment.  As Deputy Director, Daina interacts with a number of boards and state level advisory committees and task forces to assist in efforts to enhance and coordinate programming throughout Tennessee.

During her 18-year tenure with the Office of Criminal Justice Programs, Daina has conducted a number of regional, state and national trainings on a variety of topics related to the criminal justice system, victim services, logic model project design and evaluation and grants management.  Prior to being promoted to Deputy Director, she was the Assistant Director for the Criminal Justice Program Unit.  She served for a year as the Tennessee Interim Drug Court Coordinator and was instrumental in developing the Drug Court Certification Program for Tennessee. 

Daina is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, “Tennessee Government Management Institute” and the 2024 NCJA Executive Leadership Academy.

Prior to State Government, Daina worked in the mental health field for twelve years. She is a licensed as a Marital and Family Therapist with the State of Tennessee.   She has worked with individuals, couples and families in the areas of trauma, domestic violence, mental health and co-occurring disorders.  Daina has served as Chair and Co-Chair of the Nashville Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  

Prior to relocating to Tennessee, Daina was the Clinical Supervisor for the Chemical Dependency Outpatient Services for The David Lawrence Center in Naples, Florida.  This facility provided various levels of treatment from psycho-educational group treatment and case management services to intensive outpatient group services.  She has had the unique opportunity to work with both the self referred and court mandated populations.  

Daina received her bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.  She received her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the State University of New York at Oneonta.  Daina and her husband, Mike, live in Nashville and have two sons studying at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Ron Brooks is a 38-year law enforcement veteran and a national leader on public safety policy issues.  As the executive officer of a successful criminal intelligence enterprise for more than ten years, Ron combined the intelligence, technology, and information sharing resources of the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NC HIDTA) and the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) into one of the nation’s most effective fusion centers. 

Ron applied the national policies and standards that he helped to create as Chairman of the Global Justice Initiative’s Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council (CICC) and as Chairman of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Partners Board to lead the development of a suite of integrated and interoperable resources that enabled new capabilities and relationships to enhance public safety.  Ron also served as the state and local law enforcement representative to the White House Interagency Policy Committee for Information Sharing Access (IPC-ISA).  Prior to his service at the NCRIC, Ron retired as Assistant Chief from the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.  He served from 1998-2013 as President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) representing over 65,000 law enforcement officers in 44 state associations on national policy issues affecting drug law enforcement.  

Ron has received numerous honors for his contributions to public safety and homeland security, including the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal (the highest Intelligence Community award for a non-IC individual) awarded by the Director of National Intelligence in 2012, the Leadership Award from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance in 2012, the Minuteman Award from the National Guard Bureau (awarded twice in 1999 and 2008), the Fusion Center Representative of the Year Award from the National Fusion Center Association in 2012, the President’s Award from the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, the Medal of Merit from the California National Guard in 2005, and the Legion of Merit Medal from the California National Guard in 2012.  He is the recipient of the Medal of Valor from the Redwood City (CA) Police Department.

Van Ingram is the Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Van joined ODCP in November 2004, shortly after it was created with the mission of coordinating Kentucky’s substance abuse efforts in enforcement, treatment and prevention/education.

Van served with the Maysville Kentucky Police Department for more than 23 years, the last six as Chief of Police. He is a former President of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and was named “Kentucky Chief of the Year” in 2001. He is the 2004 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement, as well as, the Melvin Shein Award for distinguished service to Kentucky law enforcement.

Van is a certified law enforcement instructor and has trained officers across the state on a variety of topics, including community oriented policing, case management, and “Kentucky Substance Abuse Issues” for Chiefs, Sheriff’s and command staff. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of substance abuse issues both in Kentucky and nationally.

Tracy Hahn is the Manager of the Center for Sponsored Research and Program Development with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). In this role, Tracy manages criminal justice research that is sponsored by ICJIA. She has overseen research and program evaluations conducted by experts in the field and has worked with the Authority’s Federal and State Grants Unit to develop program performance measures, identify evidence-based practices and document program effectiveness. Prior to her work with the Authority, she assisted in program development under the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Hahn earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Kristen Mahoney is the Director of Policy, Government and Partner Engagement at the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab and Education Lab. In this role, she spearheads the development and implementation of outreach and collaboration strategies to engage elected officials and government agencies at all levels. Her goal is to foster strong, positive, and productive relationships to enhance the Labs’ positive social impact.

Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Kristen held leadership positions at various government agencies. She served as the Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, overseeing an agency responsible for over $4 billion in public safety resources. She also led the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, where she developed and implemented strategies to reduce crime, juvenile delinquency, and serve victims. Additionally, she held key positions at the Baltimore Police Department as the Chief of Technical Services and the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Kristen’s exceptional contributions to public safety were recognized with a 2016 Presidential Rank Award from President Obama for her work on the National Public Safety Partnership. She holds a B.A. from Sweet Briar College and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore.

Paul is currently the Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division for the Wichita Police Department, supervising all detective personnel and leadership over Persons, Property and Special Investigation bureaus, including all personnel assigned to task forces with federal partner agencies. Prior to that, Paul served as the Deputy Chief over Field Services and commanded five patrol Bureaus across the city, supervising over 500 employees. 

Paul has worked for the Wichita police department for over 21 years, serving in a variety of leadership and technical positions ranging from Officer level roles in patrol and the bomb squad, to commanding positions over Professional Standards, Training, Patrol, Special Investigations and as the Executive Officer to the Chief. 

Paul is a graduate from the FBI National Academy, the University of Chicago Police Leadership Academy, Northwestern University School of Police staff and Command, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute. Paul has a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree from the University of Kansas in International studies.

Thelma Jones is the Chief of The Charlie District for the Buffalo Police Department. Prior to her appointment as Chief, she worked as a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Division. Chief Jones has a Master’s Degree in Construction Management from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor’s Degree from Buffalo State University.

Kim Babine is the Interim Executive Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs (MN-OJP). MN-OJP provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, and assist crime victims.

As Interim Executive Director for MN-OJP, Babine leads policy and program development and implementation, as well as operational, fiscal, and personnel administration. Babine joined the office in 2023 as Deputy Director of Programs, providing policy, programming, and funding direction for OJP’s grant programs.

Interim Executive Director Babine has extensive experience in state government, including having served at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). As DEED’s Director of Government Affairs and Policy Director, she oversaw the agency’s budget and policy planning and served as a critical link on public policy matters between agency leadership, the Office of the Governor, and the Legislature. She then transitioned to program and operational management as Director of Community Partnerships in the Vocational Rehabilitation Services division, which administers state and federal funding for employment programs for individuals with disabilities in Minnesota.

Before joining state government, Babine worked in a variety of public services roles including as the senior staffer to the Minnesota Senate’s Finance Committee where she helped manage the state budget legislative process. Babine also worked for The Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Sandy Dixon has been working for victims of crime and the criminal justice system in various capacities in North Carolina since 1991.

She began her career in victim services and advocacy first with the Orange County Rape Crisis Center and then Rape Crisis of Durham.  Ms. Dixon then spent three years in community relations, grant writing, fundraising and volunteer management at Summit House, a residential program serving as an alternative to incarceration for women and their children.  For four years, Ms. Dixon held the position of victim programs planner at the NC Governor’s Crime Commission where she administered Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding.  In 2003, Ms. Dixon became the director of victim services in the NC Department of Correction (NCDOC) overseeing NCDOC’s Office of Victim Services.  After 11 years in that role, following the merger of the NC Department of Correction, NC Department of Juvenile Justice, and NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety into the new NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), Ms. Dixon served as the development and policy analyst for the three state department’s consolidated victim services programs housed in NCDPS’ Office of Victim Services.  Ms. Dixon returned to the Governor’s Crime Commission in 2019 to lead the VOCA and VAWA funds’ planning teams as the lead crime victim services planner.  She works with the Commission’s subcommittees planning for the statewide administration of federal grants, for victim and criminal justice services, to nonprofit and government agencies across the State.  

Ms. Dixon received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992.  She has served as co-chair of the American Probation and Parole Association’s Victim Services Committee and served as the victim advocate expert on the NC Sexually Violent Predator Determination Board for 11 years.

Additionally, she is a graduate of the NCDOC Correctional Leadership Development Program.  She has also been a member of the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault Board of Directors, the Association for the Reform of Marital Rape Laws, the National Association of Victims of Crime Act Assistance Administrators, the National Association of Violence Against Women Act Administrators, the National Institute of Corrections’ Post-Conviction Victim Services Providers Network, the National Association of Victim Assistance in Corrections, and the NC Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging as the NC Department of Public Safety representative.

Monika Johnson-Hostler is a lifelong advocate and policy leader. She is the executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA), Monika leads the survivor-focused charge for the 60 rape crisis centers and a host of first responders across the state. Advocacy, education and legislation are the key tools used to ensure that survivors have access to free, confidential, comprehensive healing services. Under Monika’s guidance, North Carolina passed the sexual battery law in 2003, became among the first states in the nation to pass a protective order for sexual assault and stalking, and established the first statewide Human Trafficking Task Force with the North Carolina Attorney General.  Monika currently serves on the Governor’s Crime Commission.

In addition to working on behalf of survivors in North Carolina, Monika is also a federal policy advocate.  Monika is the CEO & President of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), the voice in Washington for the 56 state and territorial sexual assault coalitions and 1,000 rape crisis centers working to end sexual violence and support survivors. During her tenure as board president, Monika has co-authored several portions of the federal Violence Against Women Act, including a specific provision for a sexual assault services program with an current authorization of $40 million. 

Monika served on the Wake County Board of Education from 2013 to 2024, including two terms as Chair. During her time on the Board, she worked to address key issues such as retention and recruitment by championing increased staff pay to $16/hr. She also focused on expanding early education, leading to the establishment of Pre-K classes in every elementary school, as well as the opening of the district's first Pre-K center. Under her leadership, her district saw significant improvements, with four new schools built and four more renovated. Monika's commitment to the well-being of students also resulted in an increased number of counselors to improve the student-to-counselor ratio, ensuring better support for students' mental health and emotional needs.

Monika was recently elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, bringing her extensive experience in advocacy, policy, and education to the state legislature. As a legislator, she is committed to advancing legislation that expands victim protections and improves services for survivors, with a focus on critical areas such as education, housing, medical care, and mental health. She works to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to the resources and support they need to thrive and heal from trauma.

Monika is a proud graduate of Fayetteville State University and holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), further strengthening her ability to advocate for effective policies and positive change in the community. Monika resides in Raleigh with her husband, Bobby, and they have one daughter who is currently in college.

Khalil Cumberbatch is Director, Engagement and Partnerships, for the Council on Criminal Justice. He is a nationally recognized formerly incarcerated advocate for criminal justice and deportation policy reform. Along with Chief Policy Counsel Marc Levin, he runs the Council’s Centering Justice initiative. Before joining CCJ, Cumberbatch served as Chief Strategist at New Yorkers United for Justice and as Associate Vice President of Policy at The Fortune Society. Pardoned by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014, he earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from CUNY Lehman College, where he was honored with the Urban Justice Award for his work with underserved and marginalized communities.

Marc Levin is Chief Policy Counsel for the Council on Criminal Justice. He began the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s criminal justice program in 2005 and in 2010 developed the concept for the Right on Crime initiative, to which he serves as Senior Advisor. Levin was named to the “Politico 50” and has testified frequently on criminal justice policy before Congress and state legislatures. Levin received his undergraduate and law degrees with honors from the University of Texas and clerked on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Heather Rice-Minus is the president and CEO of Prison Fellowship. Heather first joined Prison Fellowship in 2013, and in her most recent role of executive vice president, she led teams that build partnerships with churches, help strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children, foster partnerships with donors at every level, and advocate for restorative criminal justice reform. In a previous role as the head of Prison Fellowship's advocacy team, she was a leading voice behind the passage of the FIRST STEP Act.

A sought-after public speaker on the intersection of faith, justice, and incarceration, Heather has addressed audiences at national conferences and events including Wilberforce Weekend, Q Ideas Conference, and more. She has also contributed to Christianity Today, Slate, CBN News, The Marshall Project, PBS' Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, and many other media outlets.

Previously, Heather managed prison reform advocacy efforts at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and taught English in East Africa.

She graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a degree in liberal arts and social work. After earning her J.D. from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, she became a member of the Virginia State Bar, a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network and Faith & Public Life Ideas Council, and a Colson Fellow.

She resides in Southeast Washington, D.C., with her husband and two daughters.

Amanda Hall is Senior Director of National Campaigns for DREAM. In this role, Amanda leads strategic efforts to shape national drug policy within expansive coalitions and advocates for the voices of those directly impacted. Amanda brings extensive expertise and a passionate commitment to her work at Dream.org. Within the organization, she focuses on coordinating and driving national campaigns aimed at transforming the justice system. Collaborating closely with teams, Amanda provides leadership and guidance in executing nationwide initiatives. Her primary objective is to empower directly impacted leaders within the Dream.org network, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources, support, and knowledge to drive meaningful change on a national scale. 

Prior to her contributions at Dream.org, Amanda was a Policy Strategist at the ACLU of Kentucky, where she emerged as a prominent figure leading the Kentucky Smart on Crime coalition. The Smart on Crime coalition is a broad coalition that works together to advance common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, empower communities, and champion cost-effective sentencing alternatives. Amanda is also the co-founder of the ACLU of Kentucky Smart Justice Advocates. The first of its kind advocacy group, consisting of directly impacted Kentuckians, who work on state and local criminal legal systems issues. Through tireless coalition building, impassioned advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to amplifying the voices of those directly impacted, Amanda played a pivotal role in propelling substantial bipartisan reforms in Kentucky. Equipped with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville, Amanda combines her academic training with personal experiences within the criminal legal system. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, she tirelessly endeavors to dismantle mass incarceration and cultivate a more just and equitable world for all.

Thomas Strauss is the Director and Principal Research Analyst at the Idaho Statistical Analysis Center (ISAC). Housed within the Pass-Through Grants and Research Department of the Idaho State Police, ISAC partners with local, state, and national agencies to conduct justice system research, policy analysis and program evaluations. Mr. Strauss joined ISAC as a Senior Research Analyst in 2018 and in that role was a contributor to technical reports on a wide range of topics, including justice system performance and needs, services for victims of crime, and juvenile crime. Since becoming ISAC Director in 2021, Mr. Strauss has spearheaded ISAC’s efforts to increase access to justice system data through the use of interactive public-facing data dashboards, research briefs and reports, and public presentations that convey easily digestible information on crime rates, factors influencing crime, justice system and community responses to crime, and services for victims of crime. Mr. Strauss holds a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in State and Local Government (2017) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (2015), both from Boise State University.

Jeffrey Zuback has been very active in the criminal justice data and research environment  for over 15 years. He spent over 13 years at the Governor’s Office Crime Control and Prevention (Maryland SAA) leading the data and research team and served a joint role as the Director of the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center where he was responsible for aligning the policy, statistical analysis and research resources with the Governor’s priorities. He also coordinated, conducted, and managed large scale data analysis projects to inform policymakers on various criminal justice data trends in the State of Maryland. Most recently, he oversaw the development of new data visualization tools, to include the use of Microsoft Power BI, to create innovative criminal justice data dashboards for internal and external customers. He also was hired as the first ever Public Safety Data Officer at the Greater Baltimore Committee where he conducted criminal justice research and data analysis to assist the business community with the development, implementation and measurement of effective public safety strategies for the Greater Baltimore region. He returned to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy in June 2024 to lead the ever growing Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Team and the Maryland SAC.  He received his Masters of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in law enforcement from the University of Baltimore in December 2011.

Kelli Cary, MSSA, LISW-S, has been a leader in the anti-trafficking field for over a decade. As a licensed independent social worker (LISW-S), her experience working with survivors in clinical and advocacy settings fuels her passion for this work.

Kelli is currently the State Anti-Trafficking Director at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services. In this role, she coordinates the Governor’s Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, leading Ohio’s statewide response to human trafficking. Previously, she held executive positions in anti-trafficking nonprofits where she developed programs providing direct services to adult and minor survivors of human trafficking. In these roles, she led multidisciplinary teams, coalitions, policy efforts, and statewide working groups with the belief that collaboration at the local, state, and national level is how we will effectively combat human trafficking.

Kelli also serves on the steering committee for the National Compendium of State-Run Anti-Trafficking Initiatives. She is passionate about developing trauma-informed programs and elevating individuals with lived experience to ensure that services are truly restorative.

Chris Asplen has served as Executive Director of the NCJA since January, 2016. Chris is a former prosecutor, and a national and international expert on the use of DNA technologies. Previously, he served as Director of the DNA Legal Assistance Unit for the American Prosecutor’s Research Institute and the National District Attorney’s Association, as an Assistant United States Attorney and as the Executive Director of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence for the U.S. Department of Justice. In private practice, Chris has advocated for policy and legislative initiatives integrating DNA technology, including post-conviction DNA, into criminal justice systems around the world. He has worked with governments and law enforcement agencies in 35 countries to implement DNA technology to maximize its ability to identify and convict the guilty while protecting the innocent.

A noted national and international speaker he has testified before the U.S. Congress, the South African and Philippine Parliaments and has appeared on, and written for, numerous news outlets. He also serves as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism on the prosecution of nuclear terrorism crimes.

Ms. Bowser was raised in Montana and attended the University of Montana where she received her undergraduate degree in Criminology. She jumped quickly into her career with the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), where she remained for 14 years, working in finance and operations. Upon leaving MHP she became the Director of the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC). MBCC is the state administering agency for criminal justice planning, policy development and grant administration working to reduce crime and victimization statewide.

She believes that partnership, collaboration, trust and follow through are the cornerstones to successfully achieving viable solutions.  When critical buy-in is achieved, worthwhile change and improvements can and will occur.

Ms. Bowser serves on the National Criminal Justice Association Board of Directors.

Hugene Fields is the Director of Finance for NCJA. In this position, He manages budgeting, accounting, and all financial activities of all functions of the NCJA. Hugene coordinates funding management activities on behalf of NCJA and is responsible for communicating financial and operational results to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Prior to joining NCJA, Hugene was a Controller at both the Center for Community Change and Capital Area Food Bank located in Washington, DC. In these roles, he oversaw the day-to-day accounting functions. Prior to working as a Controller, he was a Senior Auditor where he planned, scheduled, and led non-profit audits.

Hugene serves on the Board of Directors for EBED Community Improvement Inc.; a non-profit organization that provides residential and day services for individuals with disabilities. Hugene received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Kellie Rabenhorst is the Director of the NCJA VOCA Center. Prior to joining NCJA, Kellie was the Federal Grants and Programs Director and the Office of Violence Prevention Director at the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, where she had oversight over multiple grant programs from the U.S. Department of Justice. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bellevue University. She is certified in Lean Six Sigma.

Tammy oversees the NCJA Center for Grants Management at NCJA where she provides grants management and administration training across the country. She has also worked with other national organizations to create and deliver trainings for their audiences. She is a certified grant management specialist (CGMS) through the National Grants Management Association (NGMA), and is a certified project management professional (PMP). Tammy has served for over 25 years in various positions within Kalamazoo County Government including founding executive director for the Kalamazoo Criminal Justice Council (a local justice planning agency) and founding director of the Kalamazoo Office of Community Corrections. Tammy obtained her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University.

Cassie Villegas is the Chief of Crisis Services at Solari, Inc., overseeing operations and clinical aspects of crisis services across Arizona, Oklahoma, and Colorado since December 2013. With extensive experience in crisis intervention and service delivery, Cassie has held several key positions within the organization, including Senior Director and Director of Contact Center Operations & Clinical Services, as well as roles focused on quality compliance and management. Previous positions include Juvenile Program Therapist at The Resolution Group and Adult Clinical Liaison Team Lead at Empact-SPC. Cassie holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the University of Arizona.

Jessica Shouse is the Director of Teen & Young Adult Advocacy at The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties. She has supported people with disabilities in various capacities for over 15 years. Jessica spends much of her work advocating on issues related to transition from school to adult services & supports and self-advocacy /self-determination, and the intersection of IDD and criminal justice. Using her experience and leadership Jessica has built several collaborative relationships with local law enforcement agencies, offering trainings such as CIT and consulting on various projects. Jessica serves as a Public Member on the Colorado POST (Police Officer Standards & Training) Board. Jessica holds a Master's Degree in Human Services with a non-profit management & leadership emphasis. Jessica has a very active 13 year old son and two rambunctious Australian Shepards. Jessica was born and raised in Colorado and enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, fishing and dabbling in photography whenever she can.

Abigail S. Tucker, Psy.D. ABPP, is a licensed psychologist in Denver Colorado and is a Board-Certified Police and Public Safety Psychologist. In her current role as trainer, consultant and in private practice she works directly with emergency responders, veterans, victims of crime, criminal and juvenile justice entities and behavioral health providers. Dr. Tucker serves as Adjunct Faculty at both Colorado State University Global in their Emergency Responder and Military Psychology Program and at her alma mater Nova Southeastern University in both their College of Psychology and for the Fischer College of Education and Criminal Justice. Her passion to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use inspired her to become certified in the instruction of Adult & Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) as well as the Public Safety module of Adult MHFA. Dr. Tucker is also a national training instructor for the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project. Dr. Tucker served as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Polara Health in Prescott Arizona and is a co-founder and trainer with Heroes Active Bystandership Training.

Chris Asplen has served as Executive Director of the NCJA since January, 2016. Chris is a former prosecutor, and a national and international expert on the use of DNA technologies. Previously, he served as Director of the DNA Legal Assistance Unit for the American Prosecutor’s Research Institute and the National District Attorney’s Association, as an Assistant United States Attorney and as the Executive Director of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence for the U.S. Department of Justice. In private practice, Chris has advocated for policy and legislative initiatives integrating DNA technology, including post-conviction DNA, into criminal justice systems around the world. He has worked with governments and law enforcement agencies in 35 countries to implement DNA technology to maximize its ability to identify and convict the guilty while protecting the innocent.

A noted national and international speaker he has testified before the U.S. Congress, the South African and Philippine Parliaments and has appeared on, and written for, numerous news outlets. He also serves as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism on the prosecution of nuclear terrorism crimes.

Lon Bartel is the Principal Researcher for VirTra. With over 20 years of law enforcement training experience, he focuses on enhancing officer and trainer performance. Lon is recognized as a subject matter expert in firearms and defensive tactics by the State of Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). He is a founding member and lifetime advisor of the Arizona Tactical Officers Association (ATOA) and an internationally certified instructor with the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). Lon earned his Master’s in Applied Exercise Science from Concordia University-Chicago and his Bachelor’s from Arizona State University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an emphasis on Performance Psychology.

Jennifer Brinkman brings her expertise in working in the field of violence against women to the Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP), with over twenty years of professional experience working in the criminal justice field. As the Director of OCJP, she is responsible for over $60 million in federal and state funds for criminal justice initiatives. Director Brinkman has been with the state for over nine years. Jennifer started at OCJP as Governor Haslam’s first Public Safety Action Plan was underway, which focused on violent crime and domestic violence.

Director Brinkman brings her knowledge of the criminal justice system to the plan through the identification of gaps and available resources to meet those gaps by coordinating local government, state government, and community agencies across the state to leverage available resources to better serve the citizens of Tennessee. In her time at OCJP, Director Brinkman has been responsible for implementing Governor Haslam’s Public Safety initiatives to decrease domestic violence in the state.

Director Brinkman's work includes: increasing the number of family justice centers from 2 in 2012 to nine in 2018; implementing a statewide lethality assessment program with law enforcement; and coordinating statewide stakeholder meetings on violence against women. Before coming to OCJP, Director Brinkman worked for 2 years for the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole where she implemented evidence based programming for offenders under the supervision of the Board. Director Brinkman's work in multiple levels of the criminal justice system demonstrates her commitment to improving outcomes for offenders and victims. Director Brinkman's past work experience includes the YWCA of Nashville and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Chuck Cohen is a Vice President at the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). He is a Professor of Practice in the Indiana University Bloomington Department of Criminal Justice, where he has taught

since 2003. Chuck serves as an Auxiliary Detective with the Indiana University Police Department, providing technical assistance and giving him statewide police authority. In 2020, Chuck was appointed

by the Governor of the State of Indiana to serve as an Indiana Gaming Commissioner.

Chuck is a retired Indiana State Police Captain where he served for over 25 years. He was most recently the Intelligence and Investigative Technologies Commander responsible for the cybercrime, electronic surveillance, technical services, and Internet crimes against children units along with overseeing the department’s overt and covert criminal intelligence functions. Chuck was the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center Executive Director and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Commander.

Chuck speaks internationally on topics including the implications of online social networks in criminal investigations and criminal intelligence gathering, cybercrime, online fraud, money laundering, corruption investigations, and the investigation of skilled criminal offenders. He has trained investigators and analysts on five continents.

Chuck testified to the 114th Congress in 2016 as a subject matter expert on encryption. In 2020, he provided expert testimony related to the Darknet, child exploitation, and human trafficking before the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. Chuck was a member of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Summer Hard Problem Program in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He sits on the IACP Cyber Crime & Digital Evidence Committee and serves as an Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies Cyber Crime Committee Subject Matter Expert. Chuck is a charter member of the International Association of Cyber & Economic Crime Professionals and a member of the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force, Indianapolis IN. Chuck is a published author, including peer‐reviewed material and a cover article for Police Chief Magazine. Chuck was featured on the cover of NW3C’s Informant magazine and a guest speaker on the syndicated radio program “The Badge” on SiriusXM. He was a subject matter expert for a Fox nationally syndicated show regarding criminal activity in online dating sites and for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s national news regarding criminal activity in Virtual Worlds.

Jay Neal was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004 and served until being appointed by Governor Deal to serve as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Transition, Support, and Reentry (GOTSR) effective Nov 15, 2013. Jay led GOTSR, in collaboration with State Agencies and Stakeholders, in the development and implementation of the Georgia Prisoner Reentry Initiative (GA- PRI). In September of 2015 Jay joined the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council as Criminal Justice Liaison and was appointed Executive Director July 1, 2016.

As a freshman Representative, Jay served as Vice-chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and was asked to carry Agency legislation for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He quickly became the “go to” House Member for GBI legislation. Also in his freshman year, Jay authored legislation that reduced the number of meth labs in Georgia by 65% in the first year.

Jay also served on the Children and Youth Committee, Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Appropriations Committee, Insurance Committee, and Juvenile Justice Committee. Jay also served as Co-Chair of the Legislative Behavioral Health Caucus from 2010-2013 and Chair of the House Committee on State Properties from 2011-2013.

In 2011, Jay sponsored HB265 establishing the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians and worked closely with Gov. Deal in pursuing Criminal Justice Reform.

Jay was a leading advocate for Recovery in the General Assembly from 2006 until his appointment and helped establish the annual Addiction Recovery Awareness Day (ARAD) Rally at the Capitol.

Jay joined Penfield Christian Homes (a 6-week Residential Treatment Program) in 2009 and served as Campus Director of the North Campus until Nov. 1, 2013. Prior to his employment with Penfield, Jay was a partner at Weichert Realtors, First Choice and has served for 30 years as a Bi-Vocational Pastor.

In 2017, Jay was certified as a coach, trainer, and speaker with The John Maxwell Team. Jay and Gretchen have been married for 37 years and make their home in Chickamauga, GA. They have two daughters, Jessica Woods and Brittney Tomczak, and 7 Grandchildren.

Kim Babine is the Interim Executive Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs (MN-OJP). MN-OJP provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, and assist crime victims.

As Interim Executive Director for MN-OJP, Babine leads policy and program development and implementation, as well as operational, fiscal, and personnel administration. Babine joined the office in 2023 as Deputy Director of Programs, providing policy, programming, and funding direction for OJP’s grant programs.

Interim Executive Director Babine has extensive experience in state government, including having served at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). As DEED’s Director of Government Affairs and Policy Director, she oversaw the agency’s budget and policy planning and served as a critical link on public policy matters between agency leadership, the Office of the Governor, and the Legislature. She then transitioned to program and operational management as Director of Community Partnerships in the Vocational Rehabilitation Services division, which administers state and federal funding for employment programs for individuals with disabilities in Minnesota.

Before joining state government, Babine worked in a variety of public services roles including as the senior staffer to the Minnesota Senate’s Finance Committee where she helped manage the state budget legislative process. Babine also worked for The Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Kati Habert manages on-site county technical assistance, including county projects, through the Stepping Up Initiative. She previously worked with the National Reentry Resource Center to provide policy reviews and recommendations to state- and local-level grantees focused on reentry, correctional practices, family substance addiction treatment, and co-occurring substance addiction and mental illness. Prior to joining the CSG Justice Center, she worked as a senior associate with the National Association of Counties providing criminal justice technical assistance to counties. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA and MA in criminology and criminal justice.

Abigail S. Tucker, Psy.D. ABPP, is a licensed psychologist in Denver Colorado and is a Board-Certified Police and Public Safety Psychologist. In her current role as trainer, consultant and in private practice she works directly with emergency responders, veterans, victims of crime, criminal and juvenile justice entities and behavioral health providers. Dr. Tucker serves as Adjunct Faculty at both Colorado State University Global in their Emergency Responder and Military Psychology Program and at her alma mater Nova Southeastern University in both their College of Psychology and for the Fischer College of Education and Criminal Justice. Her passion to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use inspired her to become certified in the instruction of Adult & Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) as well as the Public Safety module of Adult MHFA. Dr. Tucker is also a national training instructor for the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project. Dr. Tucker served as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Polara Health in Prescott Arizona and is a co-founder and trainer with Heroes Active Bystandership Training.

Delrice Adams is a justice warrior with over 25 years of directing social service and public health reform efforts. On January 4, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed Delrice to lead the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). ICJIA spearheads and informs on public safety policies, research, and best practices. In this role, Executive Director Adams leverages her expertise in criminal justice, violence prevention, and racial equity to support the agency’s work. Her knowledge informs and enhances public safety priorities, equity grant administration, and evidence-based solutions to violence prevention.

Executive Director Adams institutes a transparent and straightforward approach to the work. Equity, fairness, and opportunity are the priorities of every grant program and policy administered by ICJIA.

A visionary leader trained in trauma-informed approaches, Executive Director Adams co-chairs a first-of-its-kind cross-governmental violence prevention advisory group with county and city officials. She also chairs or administers various state boards and commissions, such as the Ad Hoc Victim Service and Prevention Committee, Domestic Violence Pretrial Working Group, and Violent Crime Reduction Taskforce. Nationally, she is the Chair of the National Criminal Justice Association’s Board of Directors Equity in Criminal Justice Funding and Budget Committee.

Previously, Executive Director Adams held progressive leadership roles at the Cook County Justice Advisory Council and the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health Office of Violence Prevention and Behavioral Health. In these roles, she was responsible for the restorative justice and violence prevention initiatives. A trained peace circle keeper, Executive Director Adams’ successes are grounded in her love for and strong ties with the community.

Executive Director Adams received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and holds a master's degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. In  July 2022, Adams was selected into the highly competitive National Criminal Justice Association Leadership Academy for Executives where she represented the great state of Illinois.