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Theresa joined the OCJC team in June 2022. As Senior Researcher, she joins and tabulates criminal legal system data from multiple agencies to produce data graphics and reports. Theresa aims to generate analyses and findings that are accurate, relevant, and actionable. Before working at OCJC, she was a research associate at the Vera Institute, New Orleans Office. Theresa is a proud alumna of Mills College and earned a Master's degree in educational psychology with a specialization in qualitative, quantitative, and psychometric methods from a midwestern land-grant university. Theresa lives in Algiers with her partner of over 25 years. Most evenings, you'll find her catching the sunset on the levee.

Kate joined the OCJC team in October 2020. As Chief of Staff, her work includes: managing the office's racial justice initiatives and communications, researching best practices related to criminal legal system reform, and conducting special projects in support of the Criminal Justice Commissioner. Kate graduated from Bowdoin College in Africana Studies, and previously worked with advocacy organizations, including the ACLU-NH. A passionate advocate for racial justice and criminal legal system reinvention, Kate loves working for an office that champions systemic reform. On most weekends, you will find Kate walking through Audubon Park or at a local coffee shop with friends.

Commissioner Tenisha Stevens leads the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Coordination (OCJC), the office tasked with promoting an accountable, efficient, and effective criminal justice system in Orleans Parish. Her office fosters cross-agency communication and coordination among all sectors of New Orleans' justice enterprise, providing objective research, analysis, and recommendations that benefit the criminal and juvenile justice systems holistically.

Under Commissioner Stevens’ leadership, OCJC received an additional $2 million from the MacArthur Foundation to continue its jail population reduction efforts, and allocated and secured over $7 million in state and federal grants for the City of New Orleans. Most recently, Commissioner Stevens led a coordinated response, involving many criminal justice agencies and stakeholders, to address the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to policy changes to reflect the needs of the City following the Emergency Declaration, Commissioner Stevens also dedicated $35,000 to address issues related to homelessness of recent non-violent releases from the local jail.

To that end, Commissioner Stevens initiated a hotel and motel voucher program to house individuals in hotel or motels for up to two weeks. Program participants include those that would be homeless upon release from the local jail or would be returning to a home in which they may be at risk of spreading Covid-19 to a loved one. To further assist with the City’s Covid-19 response, Commissioner Stevens supplied over a 1,000 masks to citizens throughout the city to ensure that they complied with the mask mandate, assisted the City in facilitating the use of mobile testing sites, and advises the Mayor of all eviction policies provided by 1st and 2nd City Court as it relates to the eviction ban order.

Prior to joining Mayor Cantrell's administration in 2018, Commissioner Stevens dedicated more than twenty years of professional public service in her careers with the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office and the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office where held the position of Deputy Chief of Investigations.

Commissioner Stevens' decades of experience in the justice system provide her with first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by local justice professionals. In her current role as Criminal Justice Commissioner she is deeply committed to bridging gaps, ending outdated practices and forging more effective partnerships to achieve fair outcomes for everyone whose lives are impacted by our justice system.

Commissioner Stevens received her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Southern University at New Orleans and completed her undergraduate studies at Dillard University. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.- New Orleans Alumnae Chapter. She sits on various Boards and Commissions. She is the devoted mother to Maddie. She is deeply invested in bettering her community so that the next generation can reach their full potential.

Adrienne joined the OCJC Team as the Transition Specialist in September of 2018 and has since moved into her current role as the Interagency Coordination Specialist. She is a part of the Safety and Justice Challenge Team and acts as an inter-agency policy expert and problem solver, addressing administrative and procedural barriers to improve the efficiency of the justice system. Adrienne received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2013, and then went on to graduate from Loyola University New Orleans with dual master’s degrees in Criminology and Applied Theology. Adrienne is passionate about criminal legal system reform and loves learning from people who have lived experience. Adrienne enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her wonderful husband and their son Jack!

Lisa serves as a program manager in the Grant Department at OCJC. Her primary responsibilities include supervising grants and monitoring agencies with grant funded programs. Lisa is motivated by her determination to provide excellent service to every Agency and derives job by looking for opportunities to improve my customer service skills so that each person she interacts with will have a positive experience. Before working at OCJC, she worked at New Orleans Police Department after 21 years in various roles within the Reserve Division, Operations Bureau, Special Events and Management Services Bureau. Lisa received her B.A. from Concordia University as a Management Communications major and Human Resource minor. In 2020, she joined the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale and is eagerly waiting for the Mardi Gras experiences especially riding on the float. Lisa loves spending time with family friends and shopping.

Lori serves as Fiscal Manager in the Grant Department at OCJC. Her primary responsibilities include preparation of fiscal documents, consult with vendors and suppliers for the procurement of goods and services, and process the transaction of these goods and services. Lori brings a passionate spirit to the office and during October you will see her wearing pink every day of the month. During the fall weekends, Lori can be found supporting the Saints!

Danyelle joined the OCJC team as a Special Assistant in April 2023. As a special assistant her duties include providing administrative support to the Commissioner and the staff; performing research and preparing briefings and presentations; supporting staff in preparing and holding meetings with key stakeholders; preparing and managing contracts and invoicing; developing, managing, and implementing clear and appropriate work plans and timelines for special projects as requested by the Commissioner; managing, overseeing, and procuring all office equipment, furnishings, and supplies necessary for the team to function and managing the office’s website and social media presence. Before working at OCJC she worked at Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans in various roles. Danyelle graduated from Southern University at New Orleans with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Danyelle loves to spend time with family and friends as well as travel and make memories with her kids Dylan and Saige.

Dr. LaTasha Atkins joined the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, in June of 2023, as a Crime Victims and Survivor Services Coordinator. Her role is to provide support and ensure effectiveness and coordination victim and survivor services, connecting stakeholders, and leveraging resources to support the support the successful support system of victims and survivors in our community. Dr. LaTasha Atkins, a native New Orleanian, proudly educated in the local public school system and collegiate system; ULM, SUNO and Tulane University perspectively. Prior to joining The Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, Dr. Atkins had the pleasure of servicing both victims and witnesses of crime for 12 years at the New Orleans District Attorney's Office. She is committed  to helping individuals who have suffered and who are suffering from the effects of traumatic events.