About
Raised on the Gulf Coast in a low-income community, I developed resilience and a passion for justice early in life. My journey has taken me from grassroots organizing to designing national policy initiatives, always centering collaboration. Through Collaborative Justice Solutions, I bring lived experience—which you can read more about here—and professional expertise to create safer, healthier, and more just communities.
Throughout my career, I’ve been deeply committed to advancing social justice, with a focus on criminal justice reform, harm reduction, housing, and economic justice. During my time at the Vera Institute of Justice, I was part of the herculean efforts–supported by the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge–to safely and sustainably reduce the jail population in New Orleans. The city’s incarceration rates were among the highest in the nation, and through our work, we developed a multi-pronged strategy to get and keep people out of jail. We introduced reforms like non-financial pretrial release conditions, expedited screenings, and ability-to-pay assessments for sentencing fees. By working closely with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Coordination and other system actors, we were able to build support for these changes and measure their progress.
One of my proudest achievements was leading the planning and launch of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, which provided a public health alternative to arrest for people struggling with mental illness, substance use, or trauma. This work involved not only designing the program but also training and collaborating with the New Orleans Police Department to shift perspectives on the role of law enforcement in responding appropriately and humanely to people with complex issues. I facilitated difficult but necessary conversations about the failure of arrest and detention to cure social ills and the need for more compassionate, effective approaches. These efforts were recognized by Gambit Magazine’s 40 Under 40, where I appeared alongside key LEAD partner, Chief Nicholas Gernon.
In addition to my work with LEAD, I provided training and technical assistance to initiatives across the country, including to 25 SAMHSA community crisis response partnerships. Through this work, I partnered with local advocates, policymakers, and decision-makers to develop and implement solutions that addressed pressing social issues. My background in community organizing and popular education has been integral to these efforts, ensuring that the people most impacted by these policies are involved in shaping the solutions.
Beyond criminal justice, I’ve been an advocate for reproductive rights, housing, and economic justice, recognizing the interconnectedness of these issues. I’ve spoken publicly on these topics, as well as on harm reduction, in various forums, ranging from local community events to national conferences such as the National Harm Reduction Coalition and the US Social Forum.
At the heart of all my work is a commitment to helping individuals and communities feel powerful and make meaningful progress. Whether through program design, facilitation, or advocacy, I believe that change is possible when we work together, and I am excited to continue building solutions that drive real impact.
For over two decades, I’ve worked with nonprofits and for-profits that share this purpose. My experience as a leader in justice movements spans economics, housing, sexual health and reproductive rights, youth, LGBTQIA+, anti-racism, and the legal system has taught me one very important thing: We are stronger, smarter, more effective, and better when we work together.
Let’s collaborate to find just solutions for the issues you’re facing.