Board Chair

Herschella Conyers is a nationally recognized expert in juvenile defense. She is the 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.

Vice Chair

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

Dr. Rodgers is a Director of Criminal Justice at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. and a leading researcher and proponent of restorative justice.

Founder and Board Treasurer

Elizabeth Clarke, J.D., is the founder, immediate past president and board treasurer 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.

Luis Klein was appointed the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Initiative in June of 2021, Prior to June, Luis served as Director of Policy for JJI with a focus on legislation and policy reform for youth in Illinois. Prior to coming on board at JJI, Luis served as the District Director for State Rep. Will Guzzardi, where he developed and executed the representative’s legislative agenda and budget. Luis earned his bachelors degree from Loyola university Chicago and will complete his Masters in Public Policy from DePaul University in June 2023.

Ms. Anderson is a prominent advocate for justice policies grounded in principles of human rights and restorative justice.

Mr. Brooks is the Restorative Justice Hubs Coordinator, Adler University.

Ms. Campanelli is currently the Vice President of Restorative Justice for Lawndale Christian Legal Center in Chicago. Prior to LCLC, Ms. Campanelli was the Public Defender of cook County.

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. Chalmers is the Chief of Staff, 5th District for Cook County.

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

Mr. King is a Senior Business Development Associate for Audent Global Asset Management.

Mr. Main is the Assistant Director of the Illinois Juvenile Defender Resource Center, a division of the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Ms. McDowell is the immediate past Chair of the JJI, and a past President of the Illinois Parent Teacher Association. She is also a past member of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Hon. Sheila M. Murphy is a retired judge from the Circuit Court of Cook County and a current professor of restorative justice at UIC John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

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.

Mr. Rodriguez is the former Executive Director of Enlace Chicago - he is an experienced community activist and non-profit leader.

Mr. Smith serves as Director of Policy at Chicago CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny).

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