Skip to content
Get started
Get started
Register

2026 We the Defenders Speakers

Alba Marron
Alba Marron is a Lead Legal Secretary with the Yuma County Public Defender’s Office, bringing ten years of dedicated public service to Yuma County. Her career began at the County Attorney’s Office, where she spent two and a half years before transitioning to public defense support. She actively serves on the Victim Services Committee, working to assist victims and raise community awareness about available support resources.

Sessions at this event:

Anana Harris Parris
Anana Harris Parris is a visionary entrepreneur, author, and consultant who pioneered strategic self-care as a vital form of social justice through her roles as founder and CEO of the Self Care Agency, LLC, founder of the SisterCARE Alliance, and co-founder of the Wellness & Justice Group, LLC. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate and legal operations, including seven years as Director of Business Operations and Community Affairs for the Davis Bozeman Law Firm, she provides expert infrastructure development, leadership training, and operational guidance to organizations nationwide, including the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Author of Self Care Matters: A Revolutionary's Approach and creator of the first official Self Care Day Proclamation recognized across the Southeast, Parris has earned prestigious accolades such as the Southern Center for Human Rights Gideon's Promise Award and a U.S. Attorney General’s Office Community Service Award for her transformative advocacy. 

Sessions at this event:

Anthony Munoz
 Anthony Munoz is a dedicated parent advocate specializing in dependency and neglect cases. As a proud father and family-oriented individual, he understands the importance of strong family bonds and the positive impact they have on a child's well-being. This personal commitment to family is reflected in his work, where he passionately supports fathers navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. Known for his compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication, Anthony treats every family with dignity and respect. He works tirelessly to empower parents facing difficult circumstances, helping them overcome challenges and strengthen their relationships with their children. Driven by a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference, Anthony has earned the trust and respect of the families he serves through his advocacy, professionalism, and commitment to keeping families connected and supported. 

Sessions at this event:

Archana Prakash
Archana began her public defender career in 2005 in New York City. She is currently a Senior Supervising Attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services, where she maintains a small caseload and focuses on training and trial supervision. She began her public defense career at The Bronx Defenders and spent over a decade at Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem. Over the course of her career, she has served as a staff attorney, supervisor, and manager, and helped create the homicide practice at The Bronx Defenders. She has tried cases ranging from violations to homicides and has represented thousands of clients across New York City. Archana is on the faculty at the National Criminal Defense College and the New York State Defenders Association Basic Trial Skills Program and regularly teaches at public defender trainings nationwide. She also spent three months in Palestine with the International Legal Foundation, training and mentoring public defenders. Prior to becoming a public defender, Archana spent two years litigating civil claims related to wrongful convictions. After graduating from law school, she clerked for the Honorable Myron H. Thompson in the Middle District of Alabama. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Cornell University. 

Sessions at this event:

Arlene Anderson
 Arlene Anderson is a Trainer with the Public Defender in Maricopa County, Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. Arlene is recognized for her expertise in creating dynamic and impactful trainings for all levels of staff state-wide. Beyond her organization, Arlene extends her knowledge and passion for learning to a wider audience. Arlene currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Public Defense. As a presenter, Arlene brings a unique blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and empathy, making her a highly sought-after speaker and facilitator in her field. 

Sessions at this event:

Camille Frazier
Camille Frazier is a Social Caseworker III with the Broomfield Department of Human Services, where she has worked since 2021. She has more than 15 years of experience in social services, child welfare, behavioral health, case management, and youth-focused programming. Her work has included supporting children and families involved in the child welfare system, developing community-based programs, and collaborating across behavioral health, court, and community systems.She holds a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Health Administration from the University of Arizona Global Campus. She is particularly passionate about working with underserved and marginalized populations that are often overlooked or disproportionately impacted by social systems, and is committed to advocating for greater equity, understanding, and meaningful support for the individuals and families she serves. 

Sessions at this event:

Chelsea Hawkins
Chelsea Hawkins is the Mitigation Supervisor for the Kent County Office of the Public Defender in Kent County, Michigan. With a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, specializing in Interpersonal Practice, and a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in women and gender studies from Michigan State University, Chelsea brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics to her role. In addition to her academic credentials, Chelsea holds a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Addiction (CAADC) certificate and a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) certificate.Chelsea began her career at a residential re-entry center for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, finishing as the Clinical Manager of the facility. In January 2022, Chelsea and her team spearheaded the creation of the Kent County Holistic Defense program at the Office of the Defender. Since its establishment, the program has provided invaluable support to over 1500 clients in Kent County, advocating for a more holistic understanding of the legal system at large and the people who it affects most. Chelsea leads one of the largest mitigation programs in Michigan and sees it as an immense privilege to share stories that are so often unheard. With a heart for those entangled in the criminal legal system, Chelsea remains steadfast in her commitment to effecting positive change and promoting equity and justice in her community. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. 

Sessions at this event:

Chris Page

Chris Page is a dedicated father and seasoned advocate with extensive personal experience navigating the multifaceted challenges within the family policing system, juvenile justice, and adult criminal justice system. Having traversed these complex systems himself, Chris brings a profound understanding of the barriers faced by clients, particularly marginalized populations, within legal and social service contexts.

Currently, Chris serves as the sole Black male contractor with the Washington State Office of Public Defense’s Parents Representation Program, functioning as a Social Service Worker. In this capacity, he provides comprehensive support to parents involved in child welfare and related legal proceedings, offering advocacy, case coordination, and education tailored to empower families and strengthen engagement with the justice system.

Chris’s unique blend of lived experience and professional expertise positions him as a powerful voice in public defense, where he champions culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches aimed at fostering trust, equity, and effective collaboration between clients and legal teams. His work not only enhances defense strategies but also advances systemic efforts to create more just and supportive environments for families impacted by legal intervention. 

Sessions at this event:

Corey Smith

 Public defense organizations cannot become sustainable simply by teaching employees to be more resilient. Burnout, disengagement, turnover, communication failures, and declining performance are frequently predictable consequences of organizational design.

The central premise of this talk is:

The health of a public defense organization is not measured by how much its people can endure. It is measured by whether the organization enables them to perform excellent, meaningful work without being consumed by it.

Drawing from the NAPD Sustainability Principles, neuroscience, systems thinking, psychological safety, behavioral economics, trauma-informed practice, and transformational leadership, the talk demonstrates how leaders can redesign organizational conditions that influence performance, belonging, health, and professional longevity.

The message is not that public defense work can be made easy. The message is that difficult work does not have to be made unnecessarily harmful. 

Sessions at this event:

Daniel Potter-Engelskirger
Daniel Potter-Engelskirger, LCSW is the Supervisory Mitigation Specialist for the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. He previously led the social work practice at the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington. Prior to his defense work, Daniel's clinical practice included HIV prevention and care, outpatient behavioral health, school social work, and end of life. He has served as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Washington School of Social Work. He is passionate about transitioning clinical social workers into mitigation work, open water swimming, and his Mini Australian Shepherd, Charco.

Sessions at this event:

Donavan Bailey
 Dr. Donavan Bailey is a Licensed Social Worker and Mitigation Specialist. Heserved in this capacity for the past 20 years with Colorado, Minnesota, and Arizona. Heis also an adjunct social work adjunct professor and frequent trainer for the NationalAssociation of Public Defense (NAPD). His past work experience includes work as ayouth counselor, police officer, and residential treatment supervisor. As an extension ofhis career, he has prioritized extending his work in the community, serving on variouscommittees and boards. He holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and aDoctorate in Education from Winona State University. He is also Masters in Social Workcandidate at Capella University. 

Sessions at this event:

Doniece Douglas
Doniece Douglas, LCSW, is the founder and CEO of Justice Unchained, a mission-driven organization focused on human trafficking education, training, advocacy, and trauma-informed professional services. With more than 18 years of social work experience in behavioral health, child welfare, hospital case management, crisis intervention, and family advocacy, she brings clinical expertise and deep compassion to her work with survivors, families, professionals, and communities. Her work examines how trauma, coercion, and exploitation can shape behavior, communication, and involvement in social service and justice systems. Through Justice Unchained, Doniece provides trauma-informed education and resources that help professionals and communities recognize trafficking indicators, respond in ways that reduce further harm, and collaborate more effectively across systems. She is committed to prioritizing the dignity, safety, and autonomy of trafficking victims and survivors while honoring their lived experiences. 

Sessions at this event:

Dyllan Leonard
Dyllan Leonard is a dedicated legal professional currently serving as an Investigator for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender Connecticut Innocence Project Post Conviction Unit within the Greater Hartford area. Combining an educational background from the University of Phoenix with a sharp focus on criminal defense and advocacy, Dyllan plays a vital role in upholding justice by conducting thorough, objective, and detailed legal investigations. Dyllan is also prior law enforcement and a military veteran, bringing a wide variety of expirience to people in need. 

Sessions at this event:

Elizabeth Byrd
Elizabeth Byrd is a dedicated social worker with a deep commitment to social justice and holistic, client-centered advocacy. A Santa Cruz native, she returned to her hometown with a passion for serving the community that shaped her, particularly its most vulnerable members. Elizabeth earned her undergraduate degrees in Justice Studies and Sociology from San José State University and completed her Master’s in Clinical Social Work at the University of Texas, where she was a Title IV-E Child Welfare Education Collaboration Scholar. Her early career included direct service in child welfare in both Central Texas and Santa Cruz County, as well as conducting comprehensive case reviews for child welfare cases. These experiences gave her a deep understanding of the systemic challenges families face and inspired her to pursue broader, integrative approaches to support and advocacy. Her leadership and dedication were recognized in 2018, when she received the Texas Department of Family and Children’s Services Award of Distinction for Region 7, and again in 2019, when she completed the Leadership Challenge Program. Most recently, she graduated from the Bay Area Social Services Consortium Executive Development Program in 2024, where her capstone focused on strategies for social worker recruitment and retention in public welfare roles. Elizabeth currently serves as the Director of Holistic Defense at the Santa Cruz County Public Defender’s Office. In this role, she ensures that clients receive not only robust legal advocacy but also access to critical services such as mental health care, housing, and other community-based supports. She approaches her work with the belief that justice must consider the full context of a person’s life. Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth enjoys reading, spending time at the beach, and hiking in the redwoods—activities that keep her grounded and connected to the natural beauty of Santa Cruz, the region she calls home. 

Sessions at this event:

Jeni Benavides

Jeni Benavides is thrilled to work with the NAPD as an Executive Assistant. She previously served as the Training Coordinator with NAPD helping to organize training events and is excited to now apply those skills to the organization as a whole.

Prior to her work with NAPD her background focused on theatre, education, and activism. Jeni served as the Education Director at a local community theatre, and taught introduction to theatre part time at the University of Kentucky. She earned her bachelor’s in theatre performance at the University of South Carolina, and her master’s in theatre at the University of Kentucky. As an artist, Jeni has focused on physical approaches to performance and documentary theatre, which became integral to her work with The Girl Project (TGP), now Voices Amplified, an arts-meets activism program designed to inspire, educate, and empower high school aged students to challenge the misrepresentation of women in American media culture through performing arts education.

She is a novice rock climber and taco enthusiast, and you can ask her about her cats any time you’d like. 

Sessions at this event:

Jheni Cruz
Jheni Cruz is a Policy Associate at the New York County Defender Services, where she oversees the community engagement internship and works on legislative and policy campaigns at the state and city level. Prior to transitioning to her current role, she worked as a paralegal. She holds a Master's degree in International Relations with an emphasis on Political Science and Policy Analysis from Yonsei University, South Korea. 

Sessions at this event:

Jody Fountain
Jody and her husband Kevin have been fostering for 10 years. Jody’s background is in education as an elementary and middle school teacher, bilingual teacher and ESL teacher. Prior to settling in Colorado and marrying her husband 13 years ago, she taught and lived in Costa Rica. Their family of 11 stays busy traveling to new places, exploring Colorado with their trailer, and all the things that come with raising 9 kids. Jody loves working with kinship and foster families to provide them with the support and fun experiences they need and deserve. One of her favorite parts of fostering is partnering with families of origin to encourage them on their path to reunification. One of Kevin and Jody’s proudest accomplishments is helping 15 kids reunify over the years. 

Sessions at this event:

Jon Lyon

Jonathan “Jon” Lyon is currently the Investigator Resource Coordinator, past Member Support Coordinator, and the national survey investigator for the National Association for Public Defense. Since the pandemic he has led more than 200 meetups for investigators both nationally and internationally. Jon is the president of Lyon Legal Logistics to help attorneys in and out of court with Discovery and technology and has assisted attorneys in multiple federal court jurisdictions.

He is also a legal investigator for McClain Investigations. Jon began his investigative background working in a PI firm and then for 12 years for the Office of the State Appellate Defender of Illinois. His primary focus has been on post-conviction death penalty cases. In addition, Jon worked for LexisNexis as an award-winning national trainer of the Case Map suite of software. He also worked for Lockheed Martin as a contractor supporting government attorneys and investigators with software and electronic discovery support needs.

He is a Certified Defense Investigator through DePaul's Center for Justice in Capital Cases and a Certified Trainer through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. He has taught at the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College, Cardoza, DePaul, Kent, Iowa, and University of Michigan law schools. He has also taught at the National Defense Investigator Associations Annual Conferences, National Association of Legal Investigators annual conference, National Association for Public Defense, The Innocence Project, NACDL, Federal Defender's winning strategies conferences, Life in the Balance, American Society of Criminology, US Army, Intellenet and numerous state and county public defender conferences.

It is not unheard of for Jon to be invited back to conferences. Jon was most recently interviewed on "Public Defenseless" episode #99. Jon is the Creator/Webmaster for the internationally utilized website www.internetsleuth.net. 

Sessions at this event:

Jonathan Friley

Jonathan joined NAPD in June, 2017 to administer NAPD’s membership database, manage listservs, and assist and advise on other technological issues and solutions. Jonathan is currently the Public Defender Corporation (PDC) Administrator for Public Defender Services in West Virginia. As PDC Administrator, Jonathan is responsible for overseeing eighteen independent non-state agencies, consisting of approximately two hundred fifty employees across twenty-four offices and comprising a total budget of around 19.2 million dollars. In addition to his PDC duties, Jonathan participates in brainstorming sessions and moot court with the Appellate Division, assists in organizing the annual conference, and serves as the internal tech consultant for the office. Jonathan graduated from WVU College of Law in 2008, where he was active in the ADR Society (President), Phi Alpha Delta (President), OUTLaw, and other organizations. He is a vocal advocate of process improvement methods (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma), Just Culture, Crucial Conversations, and other topics that have labeled him the office management geek, a title he lovingly embraces. In his spare time, Jonathan likes to travel, is a budding photographer, and is an avid gamer.

Kasandra Washington

 Kasandra Washington is the founder of FFO Investigations and one of Louisiana's rising voices in criminal defense investigation and mitigation.

With over a decade of experience across the state's public defense ecosystem — including the Orleans Public Defenders, the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights, and the East Baton Rouge and 15th Judicial Public Defenders Offices — Kasandra has built a career around one conviction: that truth, pursued with diligence, can change lives.

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate and licensed private investigator, she has specialized in complex mitigation work, capital cases, and juvenile defense, with a particular focus on youth impacted by the Montgomery and Miller rulings. In 2021, she served as Chief Investigator at the 15th Judicial Public Defenders Office before launching FFO Investigations in 2023 to bring specialized investigative services to clients and defense teams throughout Louisiana.

In Fall 2025, Kasandra was named a graduate of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business program — a recognition of her entrepreneurial vision and commitment to building a more just Louisiana.

Kasandra's work is guided by a simple principle — Truth. Justice. Diligence. We Investigate What Others Overlook — and a deep belief that every person deserves someone willing to fight for the full story. 

Sessions at this event:

Kelly Trujillo

Kelly Trujillo is a public defense mitigation specialist and licensed independent clinical social worker/supervisor with over a decade of experience working alongside individuals and communities navigating the disruptive, discriminatory, and often dehumanizing state and federal legal systems. She is committed to disrupting systems of oppression that disproportionately target intentionally marginalized communities and approaches mitigation as a collaborative process between herself and the individuals she is privileged represent. Through storytelling, she and her clients clients explain how they have come to be where they are today and what is possible for their future.

As a trained Narrative Therapist, Kelly has provided individual and family therapy; group therapy; and clinical supervision through her private practice. To learn more about Narrative Therapy, please visit their website. Kelly also hold a Masters of Social Justice and Human Rights with a focus on participatory action research and nonprofit management.

Sessions at this event:

Kingston Farady
 Kingston Farady is a career defense investigator with over 17 years of experience in trial-level and post-conviction work. He began his career as a mitigation specialist handling habeas corpus investigations for the State of California and later worked at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office and The Bronx Defenders, where he served as a supervising investigator in the homicide practice. He now serves as the Special Assistant for Investigations at the Statewide Appellate Support Center at the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, providing training, consultation, and strategic support to public defense teams across New York. He is also a co-developer of New York’s first professional standards for the defense investigation function and founder of the state’s first defense investigator listserv. 

Sessions at this event:

Kristen Garrett

Kristen Garrett is a Mitigation Specialist with the Kent County Office of the Public Defender in Kent County, Michigan, where she has worked since January 2022. She was one of the first social workers to help establish the office’s mitigation program and has helped integrate social work into the criminal legal system through a more holistic approach to advocacy.

Kristen holds bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Psychology from Hope College. Before joining the Office of the Public Defender, she worked at Bethany Christian Services as a Foster Care Supervisor, where she gained experience working with children and families affected by trauma, complex family systems, and adverse experiences.

Since joining the Office of the Public Defender, Kristen has written more than 100 mitigation memorandums, highlighting clients’ histories, experiences, strengths, and circumstances to support effective advocacy. She has a particular interest in working with juveniles and individuals who have experienced significant trauma. Her work is trauma-informed and focused on providing meaningful context about the people behind the charges. Kristen works closely with clients, families, attorneys, and community professionals to better understand the experiences that have shaped each person’s life. She believes that understanding a person’s history is an important part of understanding their present circumstances and that everyone deserves to have their story heard.

Outside of work, Kristen enjoys spending her free time with her family and her two golden retrievers, Jack and Tucker. 

Sessions at this event:

Lisa Lamarre
Lisa Lamarre is a Paralegal with the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office and loves helping indigent clients navigate the post-conviction criminal legal system. She has spent the majority of her career in the criminal defense arena, gaining experience in areas such as appeals, public defense advocacy, and restorative justice. While Paralegal support in appellate work is her primary job function by day, Lisa also enjoys volunteering as an adult literacy tutor, reading and watching Shakespeare plays and Anime. 

Sessions at this event:

Leila Morgan
Leila Morgan is a Supervisory Attorney and Trial Team Leader at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. where she oversees and mentors a team of 7 to 9 trial attorneys of all skill levels. Leila joined FDSDI in 2004 as a trial attorney and has spent the past two decades defending clients charged with a wide range of federal felonies, including drug trafficking, sex trafficking, firearms offenses, assault and immigration offenses. Leila is a proud member of the original team tasked with battling the District’s outrageous “Operation Streamline” program in the summer of 2018. Leila has worked extensively with the collaborative courts in the District, representing clients in both the Veteran’s Diversion and APS Diversion Programs. Since 2023, Leila has served as the Diversion Coordinator for FDSDI. Leila graduated summa cum laude from Central Methodist University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Ethics and Criminal Justice, and her Juris Doctorate cum laude from Fordham University School of Law. 

Sessions at this event:

Lori James

Lori James Ph.D., MSW, LCSW-C is a nationally recognized executive leader, scholar, ordained minister, and sought-after speaker with more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of leadership development, social justice, criminal legal reform, and faith-based advocacy. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD), where she leads a national organization representing more than 27,000 public defense professionals across all 50 states and U.S. territories, advancing equity, excellence, and systemic reform in public defense.

Dr. James holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (2025). Her dissertation, Chains of Grace: The Church’s Call to Minister to Previously Incarcerated Individuals, examines the theological, pastoral, and psychosocial responsibilities of the Church in responding to mass incarceration and reentry, and proposes a trauma-informed, justice-oriented model of compassionate ministry grounded in Scripture, lived experience, and qualitative research. Her work bridges biblical theology, practical theology, social work, and restorative justice, centering the voices of formerly incarcerated individuals alongside clergy perspectives.

In addition to her doctoral training, Dr. James holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Morgan State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), seeking a DSW from Tulane University, studying women in leadership (anticipated graduation 2027).

Dr. James is also the President and CEO of Expand-NOW, LLC, a leadership development and consulting firm through which she provides executive coaching, keynote speaking, organizational development, and faith-informed leadership training to justice-centered organizations nationwide. She has taught at Towson University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and has authored and contributed to scholarly publications in social work, public health, criminal justice, and leadership.

A recipient of numerous honors, including the Gideon Hero Award and recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Dr. James is widely respected for her ability to lead with clarity, courage, compassion, and conviction. Across every space she occupies—classroom, pulpit, boardroom, and community—she remains committed to advancing dignity, restoring humanity, and equipping leaders to serve boldly at the margins.

Sessions at this event:

Maleeka Jihad (MJ)

Maleeka Jihad (MJ) is the CEO of MJ Consulting Firm and the Executive Director of the nonprofit MJCF: Coalition, both dedicated to advancing equity and dismantling systemic racism within legal and social service systems through education, advocacy, and policy reform.

As a nationally recognized Social Science Expert, MJ provides expert support and consultation to organizations and legal teams across the country. Her work centers on program development, case analysis, and expert testimony related to culture, psychology, and evidence-based best practices in support and preservation of families and communities.

She has served as a faculty member at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, teaching courses on racism, privilege, social justice, and law.

MJ is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Development and Change, focusing her research on Black Maternal Health. She has written extensively on the intersections of racism, systemic injustice, and surveillance within social and legal systems. Her work champions family-centered, therapeutic support, and culturally conscious leadership as essential tools for healing and transformation.

Motivated by a deep commitment to liberation and justice, MJ strives to reduce intergenerational trauma and foster lasting change for historically marginalized communities. 

Sessions at this event:

Mara Hickey
 Mara Hickey is an Investigator and Mitigation Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in criminal defense investigations ranging from misdemeanors to federal death penalty trials. Mara currently leads the Investigations Division at the Santa Cruz County Public Defender as Chief Investigator. Before joining the team in Santa Cruz, Mara worked primarily on conflict panel cases for indigent clients throughout the Bay Area and California. Mara is a valuable team member on the most complex cases, working with attorneys and experts to develop and present robust defenses at trial and on appeal. Mara held previous roles at the Office of the State Public Defender, Berkeley Law School, and the California State Bar Office of Chief Trial Counsel. Mara graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz, Phi Beta Kappa with Psychology department honors and is proficient in Spanish. She especially enjoys working with her clients, both juveniles and adults, and helping them and their loved ones navigate the confusing and intimidating experience of criminal prosecution. In her free time, you will find Mara with her dog tending seasonal vegetables and native plants in the garden and spending time with her family. 

Sessions at this event:

Marcia Dukes
Marcia Dukes has over 37 years of experience in criminal defense investigations with the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. She performs Mitigation Investigations and Fact Investigations on Death Penalty trials and post-conviction appeals, lower-level felonies, clemencies, and more representing adult and youth clients. Marcia believes that teamwork is a critical component of providing the best client centered representation. She enjoys bringing knowledge and awareness about criminal defense investigations as a career to high school students, Criminal Justice and Sociology majors, and law school students. For self-care, Marcia enjoys hanging out with her family, scrapbooking, and crafting with friends, traveling, and working with her sorority sisters performing service in her community. 

Sessions at this event:

Maria Sapene
Maria Sapene is the Chief of Litigation Support at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, where she specializes in open-source investigations and digital forensics in trial and habeas cases. She previously worked as a trial investigator for the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. A former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer with training and background in intelligence collection and analysis, she regularly presents at state and national conferences on online and social media investigations, digital forensics, AI, and law enforcement’s use of technology. 

Sessions at this event:

Marina Badillo-Diaz
Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, is an internationally recognized social work educator, consultant, and speaker specializing in the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in social work and human services. She is the Founder of The AI Social Worker and has trained thousands of professionals across the United States and internationally on AI literacy, ethics, policy development, and practical implementation. Dr. Badillo-Diaz serves on the Board of Directors for the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) and teaches graduate social work courses at several universities, including NYU, Columbia, and LSU, where her work focuses on preparing the next generation of AI-literate social workers. Through her consulting, research, writing, and professional development programs, she helps organizations harness AI to enhance practice while protecting ethics, equity, and human-centered care. 

Sessions at this event:

Martin Brodsky

 Martin B. Brodsky, PhD, ScM, CCC-SLP, F-ASHADr. Martin Brodsky is Section Head for Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at Cleveland Clinic and Adjunct Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. A speech-language pathologist for more than 30 years, his clinical experience spans Level I trauma centers, community hospitals, Department of Veterans Affairs and academic medical centers, and practice across intensive and acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient rehabilitation settings.

Dr. Brodsky earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Audiology and Speech Science from Michigan State University, his PhD in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from Johns Hopkins University.

Across his clinical, teaching, and research career, Dr. Brodsky has focused on the ways injury and illness can alter how adults understand language, process and retain information, organize their thoughts, and communicate with others. His work has examined the complex interplay among language, attention, memory, and cognition, and how disruptions in these systems can affect an individual’s ability to follow questions, interpret information, formulate responses, and participate effectively in complex interactions. He is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and serves as both a Section Editor for Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Associate Editor for Dysphagia, international peer-reviewed journals addressing rehabilitation and related aspects of human health and function. 

Sessions at this event:

Mary Ann Scali

 Mary Ann Scalishe/herMary Ann Scali serves as the Executive Director of The Gault Center, where she works with youth defenders and advocates dedicated to promoting justice for all children by ensuring excellence in youth defense. After working as a summer law clerk for the National Juvenile Defender Center in 1996, Mary Ann became the deputy director in 2000 and the executive director in 2017.

In partnership with The Gault Center team and youth defense leaders, Mary Ann delivers youth defense training and technical assistance, conducts state-level youth defense assessments, and facilitates cross-disciplinary efforts aimed at developing resources and policies to strengthen youth defense and access to justice for all youth.

Prior to joining The Gault Center, Mary Ann defended youth in the juvenile division of the Office of the Public Defender in Baltimore City, MD; spent two years teaching high school in Pohnpei, Micronesia; served in the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome, Italy; and taught Baltimore City boys at the Baraka School in Nanyuki, Kenya. Mary Ann holds a JD and MSW from Loyola University Chicago, where she was a CIVITAS Childlaw Fellow.

Mary Ann lives in Baltimore with her husband, their children, and their rescue dog, Cosmo. 

Sessions at this event:

Mary Sainz
Mary Sainz is a Legal Administrative Specialist with the Public Defender’s Office in Yuma, Arizona, where she brings nearly eight years of experience supporting defense attorneys. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and is currently pursuing her master’s degree. Additionally, she serves as a volunteer on the Community Justice Board, working directly with first-time juvenile offenders to help prevent deeper involvement in the justice system.

Sessions at this event:

Megan Morgan
Megan A Morgan (she/they) is an administrative services assistant in the purchasing department of Connecticut's Office of the Chief Public Defender. She is currently a student in the dual master's track program in clinical social work and women and gender studies at Southern Connecticut State University. She was born in Worcester, MA and lives in Connecticut with her partner Carmine, his son Toby, and their husky Geralt. 

Sessions at this event:

Morgan Dorais

Morgan is a 1L at the University of Akron School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and her Master’s in Law, Justice, and Culture from Ohio University. Before attending law school, Morgan worked as a legal assistant for two years, gaining experience in probate, criminal defense, and landlord-tenant law. Her experience working in a small-town law firm fueled her interest in the field and continues to inform her legal education and professional goals.

Sessions at this event:

Nate Bustamante
Nate Bustamante is an entrepreneur, speaker, and child-welfare reform advocate best known as the founder of the Family Impact Project and author of Foster Care to Freedom. Having spent much of his early life in foster care and later navigating incarceration and addiction, Nate brings rare first-hand insight into the systems he now works to transform. His work centers on prevention, family preservation, and building compassionate, human-centered alternatives to traditional child-welfare responses. Nate’s voice bridges lived experience, professional advocacy, and visionary leadership. Through his writing, public speaking, and organizational leadership, Nate challenges conventional narratives about trauma, resilience, and change while advancing a simple but radical belief: families, when properly supported, can heal and thrive together. 

Sessions at this event:

Nicole Heisser
Nicole Heisser is a Louisiana licensed private investigator specializing in criminal defense investigation work. She has more than three decades of experience with capital and non-capital fact investigation and mitigation investigation in state and federal court for pre-trial and PCR. 

Sessions at this event:

Rebecca Carter
Rebecca Carter is a community engagement intern at the New York County Defender Services, where she works with community coalitions and supports policy initiatives. She is also a current undergraduate at Columbia University studying American History, Political Science, and Justice. She hopes to attend law school and become a public defender. 

Sessions at this event:

Renee Brodsky
Renee Brodsky is a career Public Defender. Her interests in social justice led her to an internship with the Public Defender’s office in law school. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and the University of Toledo College of Law. Her experiences in law school focused her career goals, leading to work as a trial attorney with the Fulton County Public Defender’s office in Atlanta, Georgia. As a felony trial attorney, she handled a variety of cases from fraud, juveniles charged as adults, murder and other charges that carried life without parole sentences. She was responsible for all areas of representation from arraignment through an appeal and post-conviction. In 2001 she attended the National Criminal Defense College. After spending 12 years in Atlanta, she and her family relocated to Maryland and in 2008 she moved into training public defenders by accepting a position with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender as an Attorney Trainer. While in Maryland, Renee participated in Gideon’s Promise Train the Trainers program to hone her skills as a trainer. Renee has been with NAPD since April of 2024 as the Assistant Training Director. She now resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, daughter, and dog Louie.

Sessions at this event:

Safa Peera
Safa Peera has been a public defender with the King County Department of Public Defense in Seattle for 9 years. She has practiced criminal law in misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile courts. She currently carries a Class A felony caseload in Superior Court. She was an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy at the University of Washington School of Law and is a recent graduate of the Washington Leadership Institute under the WA Bar Association. She completed her Juris Doctorate in 2017 at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. She was born in Massachusetts but grew up in Saudi Arabia, returning to the US after high school. 

Sessions at this event:

Stephanne Thornton
Stephanne Cline Thornton is a West Virginia native who has worked in and around criminal defense and mitigation for more than 20 years in Georgia, Colorado, and West Virginia. She is currently the Clinical Director for the West Virginia Judicial and Lawyer Assistance Program, and owner of Transform Legal, a consultancy focused on mitigation, training, and sustainability. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Master Addiction Counselor, Stephanne focuses on proper assessment for and access to trauma and substance use disorder treatment to ensure the health and well-being of affected individuals. Stephanne is on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and uses that platform to call attention to the intersection of secondary traumatic stress and legal practice. She approaches her work with clients, lawyers, social workers, and mitigation specialists through a contextualized mitigation lens. 

Sessions at this event:

Tanna Townsend
Tanna Townsend is a Parent Advocate with the Colorado Office of Respondent Parents’ serving parents navigating dependency and neglect cases throughout the Boulder, Colorado community. She combines professional advocacy with lived experience, offering Parents not just guidance, but understanding, compassion, and hope. Tanna believes that parents deserve support without judgement and that healing happens when families are treated with dignity and respect. Her passion lies in helping parents navigate the child welfare system, strengthen their confidence, and reunify with their children. She is also the proud mother of her six-year-old daughter, Weslie, a first grader who keeps her grounded, inspired, and deeply connected to the importance of family. Her role as a mother fuels her commitment to standing beside other Parents as they work to rebuild and restore their lives.

Sessions at this event:

Tara Walker
Tara Walker is a Parent Advocate working with the Colorado Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel (ORPC). Tara is a mom who has struggled with substance use. She had a Dependency & Neglect case in 2017 and during that time also faced several criminal cases in the Denver Metro area. When Tara's D&N case opened, she was devastated, scared, lost and confused. She had no idea what to expect and having all of these overwhelming emotions only pushed her deeper into addiction. In 2018, Tara put herself into a 6 month treatment program and has been sober since. Tara went a year and a half during that time without having a single visit with her daughter. In 2019, Tara filed pro se motions and represented herself in order to be a part of her daughter's life. Today Tara is a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist helping others who struggle with substance use find a better way and a Parent Advocate helping parents navigate the D&N system and allowing their voices to be heard. 

Sessions at this event:

Terri Collins-Green

Terri Collins-Green, LCSW-C is the Director of Social Work for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD). Mrs. Collins-Green has been with MOPD for over ten years. She began as a staff social worker in the Baltimore County MOPD office, was promoted to Regional Social Work Manager, and then Director of Social Work in 2018. She was the recipient of the MOPD’s Jane AddAMs, Believer of Justice Award. Additionally, she serves as a faculty member for the MOPD’s Gideon’s Promise, new attorney training progrAM conducting sessions on Secondary Trauma and Sentencing Advocacy. Mrs. Collins-Green is a Board Member for the National Association of Public Defenders (NAPD). She is a member of the Patuxent Institute Citizen Advisory Board since 2021.

Mrs. Collins-Green is an Adjunct Professor with Morgan State University, School of Social Work, teaching master level courses in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Public Child Welfare. She is a field instructor for social work interns from Morgan University and University of Maryland. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy from Behavioral Tech.

Mrs. Collins-Green has been a Maryland state employee for over 20 years, and has worked in a variety of social work settings which include child welfare, outpatient mental health therapy, residential psychiatric adolescent care, and forensic social work. Mrs. Collins-Green holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Towson University and a MSW from University of Maryland. Mrs. Collins-Green is a motorcycle rider enthusiast during her free time. 

Sessions at this event:

Thomas Stevens

Thomas E. Stevens is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Akron School of Law, where he teaches and researches in the areas of civil procedure, federal jurisdiction, contracts law, and alternative dispute resolution. Previously, Thomas served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government and Paralegal Program at Eastern Kentucky University. Before entering academia, Thomas was a litigator, trial attorney, and equity member at a civil defense firm in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also a trained mediator and has extensive experience navigating disputes as an advocate and neutral. Thomas brings practical litigation experience into the classroom, helping students develop as strategic thinkers and problem-solvers. He prepares students to navigate the changing practice of law, including opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Sessions at this event:

Tracie Jones
Tracie Jones began her mitigation and advocacy work over 30 years ago, working as a group home staff in California for children that had been removed from their parents. After ten years of group home work and returning to school to receive a master’s degree in social work, Tracie worked for a year in the largest mental health facility in the country, which is also known as the Los Angeles County Jail. From there, she went to the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office where she remained for 14 years until her great nieces and nephews lured her to beautiful Colorado. After working as a contractor for both Alternate Defense Counsel and Respondent Parents’ Counsel, Tracie accepted a position on staff with ORPC as the Director of Advocacy and Outreach. Above all, Tracie feels privileged to show up every day and work to amplify the voices of those who have been pushed to the margins. 

Sessions at this event:

Trey White
Investigator Trey White is currently assigned to the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office Major Cases Unit (MCU) since 2024. The MCU focus solely on the highest profile and most sensitive cases in Los Angeles County. These cases are death penalty cases only.Prior to LA County, Investigator White In his 19 years in law enforcement, Investigator White held many positions; he served as a detective assigned to the Metro Vice Narcotics and Intelligence section, as well as a U.S. Secret Service Task officer. He has excelled in both roles, uncovering key information and eliciting confessions to break open difficult cases. Investigator White has been sought out for assistance on several high-profile cases. With the task force, he has uncovered several complex, high-dollar financial crimes and has become a respected subject matter expert in financial crimes, homicides and digital forensics investigation in his region.Investigator White is a recipient of the prestigious IACP 40 under 40 award designed to recognize 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world that demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. Investigator White is also a recipient of Medal of Valor. 

Sessions at this event:

Tricia A. Reese

Tricia A. Reese, MSW, RCSW-I, is a trauma-informed forensic social worker and former Federal Public Defender Mitigation Specialist and Investigator with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of mental health, trauma, social work, and the criminal justice system.

Throughout her career, Tricia has conducted comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments, forensic interviews, psychological and psychosexual evaluations, and mitigation investigations involving complex trauma, mental illness, neurocognitive impairment, substance use, domestic violence, and other significant life circumstances. She has extensive experience reviewing medical and psychiatric records, correctional and military records, and large-scale legal discovery to develop comprehensive social histories and compelling mitigation narratives for state and federal courts.

As a former Federal Public Defender Investigator/Social Worker/Mitigation Specialist, Tricia developed sentencing and mitigation strategies for indigent clients facing complex federal criminal charges and prepared social history materials used in formal sentencing memoranda. Her experience also includes collaboration with attorneys, physicians, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, courts, correctional institutions, and community agencies.

Tricia holds a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Limestone College. She is a Florida Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern and holds specialized certifications in trauma-informed care, anger management, child abuse and neglect, human trafficking, opioid overdose response, and HIPAA compliance.

She is also the author of My Final Verdict: Surviving the Trauma & Demanding My Freedom, reflecting her commitment to understanding trauma, resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of justice.

Sessions at this event: