Women's History Month

Lisa is pointed to as the longest serving current director of a state juvenile justice agency with 15 years as the leader of the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services. She’s done it by doing her best to do the “right” thing – and had a few instances when she thought that might have cost her her job. Her ethic to be truthful to herself and others is not always easy, but essential in establishing confidence, trust and respect in moving towards a juvenile justice system that is fair.

Melissa has rarely, if ever, been known to pass up an opportunity to talk about data. Her passion for turning data into information and she’s shared the insights with everyone from Peter Jennings and Joe Biden to middle schoolers hungry for knowledge.

A youth advocate since she was a teenager, Heidi has helped countless youths do what they are meant to do – heal, learn and grow into healthy, responsible adults.

One of five girls raised in a single parent home in rural North Carolina, Gail became the driving force behind the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), now in nearly 300 counties nationwide.

From starting out as a juvenile probation officer to running the Ferris School, showing up daily and making hard decisions is what Tanya does every day to get the best outcomes for the youths in her care.