Breaking Boundaries for Women: Allies in Action: Redefining Leadership Together

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Jennifer Brady is Criminal Justice professional with twenty-eight years of service with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department as a Corrections Officer, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Witness Advocate, and the Massachusetts Trial Court with the Probation Service. She has served as the Chief Probation Officer in the Hingham District Court for the last nine years. Jennifer has been part of several initiatives and systems changes to advance Evidence Based Practices. She has been awarded three Trial Court Excellence Awards and she is a graduate of the ADL Glass Leadership Institute as well as the Trial Court Leadership Capacity initiative. She sits on the Board of Directors as a Regional Representative for the American Probation and Parole Association. Ms. Brady holds a master’s degree in criminal justice and bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She has been a trainer and national speaker on issues related to leadership, evidence-based practice, and cultural change. Jennifer has been part of numerous committees that have contributed to the agency’s advancement. She has an established quality performance record and the skills to utilize variable and applicable leadership and management styles to serve teams efficiently. She is committed to professional development and creating a strong culture that impacts employee performance and engagement that creates an environment of dignity and respect for the individuals and communities we serve.

Carmen Z. Gomez, PhD is a Criminal Justice professional with over 27 years of experience in the Judicial system. She serves as Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services for the Massachusetts Probation Service. She holds a PhD in Philosophy concentrating in Law, Policy, and Society. She has served as an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities and as a consultant to local, state, and federal entities, providing expertise in the areas of leadership capacity, DEI, sex crimes, and serial killings. She serves as an APPA Leadership Institute Coordinator. She also serves on the National Association of Probation Board of Directors, Executive, Enroot, Cambridge Community Services, and the Governor’s Criminal Record Review Board. She is a current American Probation and Parole Association member and the Co-Founder and Member of the Foundation for Non-Violent Action. She is the lead organizer of the Massachusetts Trial Court Cultural Appreciation Week and the Co-Chair of the Trial Court’s Equity Subcommittee. She has organized the Massachusetts Trial Court’s first annual Women’s History Month Celebration since 2021 and is the Co-Chair of the APPA’s Women’s Symposium. She is committed to advancing women’s rights and securing recognition for their contribution. She is a national speaker in Racial Justice, Women’s Rights, Leadership Capacity, and Wellness. She is the recipient of the 2024 American Probation and Parole Association Carmen Rodriguez Member of the Year Award, the 2020 Amplify Latinx Latina Leader in the category of Government and Public Policy, the 2019 Martin Luther King Spirit Award, the 2018 Mutual of America Community Partnership – Rosie’s Place, 2017 Mutual of America – United States Mint Liberty Coin, 2017 Excellence Award Massachusetts Trial Court, 2017 Women of Distinction, 2015 One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in Massachusetts, 2012 Excellence Award Massachusetts Trial Court, and Distinguished Alumna in Liberal Arts, Humanity, and Education. She has devoted most of her life to public service, civil rights, wellness, leadership, and community engagement. She is dedicated to creating and supporting systems that embrace diversity, equality, inclusion, accessibility, and a fair and just legal system. She is a professional disrupter and change agent.

Dr. Alexandra Walker is the Director of Community Relations and Strategy for the Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation (ACJI). With more than 25 years of experience in the field of reentry and behavioral health, she offers a diverse background in evidence-based practices, training, program development, implementation science, and treatment modalities. As a practitioner in the field, Alex worked on a myriad of federal, state, and local justice initiatives and research projects and most recently was the Vice Chair of the Colorado Parole Board. Alex brings a wealth of experience in both community based and institutional corrections and is well versed in the development, implementation, and measurement of implementation related and decision-making tools and is committed to helping organizations reach fidelity to their highest impact practices and programs. At ACJI, Alex’s super power is dreaming big! She co-founded ACJI to harness the science of implementation to develop exceptional leaders and nurture thriving organizations. ACJI's mission is to drive innovation, elevate voices, and achieve organizational excellence through the strategic use of benchmarks and data, all aimed at shaping a better future for people and communities. This work involves prioritizing staff engagement, psychological safety, and intentionally designing healthy organizational cultures. Alex spends her days providing tools, strategies, research and evaluation supports to organizations at the federal, state and local level. She coaches executive and emerging leaders on personal and professional development principles as well as implementation and staff engagement efforts.