Herschella Conyers is a nationally recognized expert in juvenile defense. She is recently retired as Lillian E. Kraemer Clinical Professor in Public Interest Law and the Director of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic's Criminal and Juvenile Justice Project. Before joining the Law School, she served as an assistant public defender, supervisor, and deputy chief in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender from 1986 to 1993.

Veronica Williams is the Founder and President of Mothers Against Wrongful Conviction (MAWC) in Lake County, IL.

Rev. Carson is the Assistant Vice President, External Affairs, and served as the Director of Essential Skills and Community Relations for Richland Community College in Decatur, IL.

Mr. Reed is a retired researcher whose credits include the earliest documentation of the racial injustice in automatic transfer policies. He was a founding board member of JJI and has served as Board Secretary and is currently Board Treasurer.

Ms. Anderson is a prominent advocate for justice policies grounded in principles of human rights and restorative justice. She serves as the Outreach Director for Restore Justice.

Joshua Brooks MPA, is the Executive Director of the Justice Continuum in the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention at the IL Dept. of Human Services, and is the former coordinator for the Restorative Justice Hubs in Chicago.

Charles “Chick” Hoffman was formerly a capital defense attorney and a leading member of the board of directors of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  He continues his involvement both on a pro bono and advocacy basis to ensure all persons, including children, have just and humane treatment under the law.

Mr. Keenan-Devlin is the Executive Director of the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.

Mr. King is an Executive with Creative Artists Agency. He was formerly a Senior Development Associate with Audent Global Asset Management and prior to that with Swiftarc Ventures. A native of Evanston, he is deeply committed to justice for all children and young adults in Illinois.

Mr. Rodriguez is the former Executive Director of Enlace Chicago - he is an experienced community activist and non-profit leader as well as Alderperson and Democratic Committee-person of the 22nd Ward, City of Chicago.

Mr. Sullivan is a retired partner of Accenture, Ltd., the international business consulting firm.

Hon. George W. Timberlake was the Chief Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois, and the immediate past chair of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, as well as a past appointee to the Redeploy Illinois Juvenile Oversight Board.

Ms. Wallace served three terms in the IL General Assembly and is a champion for children’s rights.

CEO at Chicago Area Project

Founder and Interim Executive Director

Elizabeth Clarke, J.D., is the founder, immediate past president and board treasurer, and current Interim Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI). In addition to JJI, Clarke co-founded the Midwest Juvenile Defender Center, and the North American Juvenile Justice Network, and was a founding member of the National Juvenile Justice Network. Prior to JJI, Ms. Clarke worked in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office and the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Pat is thrilled to serve as the Director of Policy and Operations to implement JJI’s strategic plan. Prior to this role he worked for the State of Illinois as Director of Outreach and Constituent Services for State Senator Laura Fine, and the City of Chicago as Public Safety Liaison for Alderman Harry Osterman. Having graduated from Columbia College with a degree in acting in 2010, you may have seen Pat on stage or TV in shows like The Bear. He also hosts a civic minded talk show, ‘Good Evening’, where he’s interviewed the likes of Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker.

Annazette Collins was an Illinois legislator for 12 years - she served in both chambers as an advocate for Juvenile Justice and as an advocate for children who were in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. Annazette was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Juvenile Justice. After leaving the legislature she started her on consulting business, Kourtnie Nicole Consulting, where she lobbied for 10 years. Annazette has a Master’s and Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.