The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Welcomes New Executive Director, Leah Pinney

AUSTIN, TX – Effective today, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) announces Leah Pinney as Executive Director.  The organization’s previous Executive Director, Dr. Ana Yáñez-Correa, will be leading the Criminal Justice program at the Washington, DC-based Public Welfare Foundation.
 
“Leah Pinney was the Board’s unanimous choice for this role, and we are confident that TCJC’s crucial role in justice policy reform will continue uninterrupted – and flourish – under her leadership. I base my opinion on my personal observations of Leah’s outstanding work for TCJC for nearly a decade! The organization is in incredibly capable hands with Leah at the helm,” said TCJC Board Chair William Harrell.
 
Ms. Pinney has been with TCJC for eight years, serving as Finance and Operations Director since 2008 and, prior to that, working as program staff on a wide range of policy issues, both juvenile and adult. TCJC’s new management team will also include Molly Totman as Deputy Director. Ms. Totman joined TCJC in 2004, serving as a project director on public safety issues, and more recently as the organization’s grants manager and senior editor.  She and Ms. Pinney will be joined by a Policy Director who will guide policy staff and spearhead TCJC’s longstanding advocacy efforts to reduce Texas’ over-reliance on incarceration for both youth and adults.  
 
“Texas remains a central state for criminal and juvenile justice reform, and TCJC is a go-to advocacy organization in Texas.  I am incredibly committed to protecting the legacy of this organization.  Now more than ever, smart-on-crime policies are being discussed and advanced at local, state, and national levels.  It is my goal to ensure that TCJC continues to steer Texas towards smart solutions that will create safer, healthier communities for everyone.  I am thrilled, humbled, and honored to lead the TCJC Team,” said Ms. Pinney.
 
As TCJC moves forward, Ms. Pinney is eager to continue the organization’s work with a broad range of partners who share a vision for a better Texas.  For instance, TCJC currently serves as an Executive Committee member of the Texas Smart-on-Crime Coalition, which launched in 2014 to champion reforms that enhance public safety, promote safe rehabilitation, and save taxpayer dollars.  The Texas Association of Business sits alongside TCJC on the Executive Committee; its CEO, Bill Hammond, welcomed Ms. Pinney to her role: “I look forward to working with Leah and her talented team to continue our efforts in pursuit of policies that will right-size the Texas justice system, improve reentry outcomes, and increase efficiencies and effectiveness.”