Leadership Institute

Carmen Gomez
Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services
Office of the Commissioner of Probation, MA

Bio:
Carmen Z. Gomez, PhD is a Criminal Justice professional... with over 27 years of experience in the Judicial system. She serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services for the Massachusetts Probation Service. She holds a PhD in Philosophy with a concentration 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 contributions. 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 disruptor and change agent.
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Why Carmen enjoy serving as an LI Mentor:
Susan, Tiffany, and Jen have been a great source of encouragement and knowledge. We have developed a beautiful friendship that I know we will cherish for life. The participants are inspiring and motivating. I have learned a lot from them, and they keep me wanting to be a better leader.

Fun Fact:
I love to dance and celebrate others.

Favorite Quote:
“Strong women don’t compete; they lift each other up”

Susan Gagnon
Director of Adult Community Corrections
State of Maine Department of Corrections

Bio:
In 1997, Susan Gagnon began her career... with the Maine Department of Corrections as a Juvenile Probation Officer. She was promoted to Regional Correctional Manager in 2007, supervising and coaching the probation officers in evidence-based and current correctional practices.

In 2011, she was promoted to Regional Correctional Administrator, supervising a nine-county division within the Department of Corrections comprisedof juvenile probation officers. Susan transferred to the Adult Division of Probation and Parole in 2013, coordinating all functions of a seven-county region, including programming, recruitment, and policy development.

In 2019, Susan was promoted to Director of Adult Community Corrections, managing a sixteen-county division for the State of Maine. As the Director she is part of the Executive Leadership Team for the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and initiatives; supporting the goals and objectives of the department; and providing guidance to the community stakeholders to support the mission of the department.

In addition to these responsibilities, Susan is responsible for the coordination of the Parole Board and Executive Clemency Board in the State of Maine, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and oversees Victim Service. Susan has several special projects that she is passionate about, including the implementation of therapy dogs for her staff, women in leadership and staff wellness. When you see her, ask her about Ruby and Zen, the division’s therapy dogs!
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Why Susan enjoys serving as an LI Mentor:
"As a graduate myself of LI7 in 2021, I wanted to give back to future leaders within the field. LI provides an opportunity to network, hear from national leaders in the field and develop skills necessary for advancement. There have been so many graduates of LI who have gone on to be promoted and give credit to the skills and time they spent in LI. I am blessed to work with the other LI coordinators and our goal is to improve LI with each session."

Fun Fact:
I am a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and my husband and I catch games whenever we can. We are grandparents of three and family is everything to us. I love to travel and being a part of APPA / LI has brought me to places that I had never been before.

Favorite Quote:
“Your leadership is always showing.” – John Lorenzen

Tiffany L. Yacomeni
Branch Chief
Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA)

Bio:
In 2008, Tiffany L. Yacomeni started her career... as a Community Supervision Officer in the Domestic Violence Unit with the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and has diligently worked to promote public safety, support the integration of justice-involved individuals, promote accountability, and support the fair administration of justice. In 2016, Tiffany was promoted to Supervisory Community Supervision Officer and worked in the General Supervision Unit, Transitional Intervention for Parole Supervision Unit, Minimum Supervision Unit, and the Compliance, Monitoring, and Intelligence Center. In 2023, she was promoted to Branch Chief.

Tiffany is an American Probation and Parole Association Leadership Institute Coordinator. The Leadership Institute is a 12-month training opportunity for emerging leaders in the field of community corrections/supervision. Leadership Institute Coordinators administer and facilitate all aspects of the training curriculum. She graduated from the Leadership Institute in 2021. She also contributed to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency’s Supervisory Community Supervision Officer’s Academy by developing and implementing the curriculum.

Tiffany has continued to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves since 2003 and was selected in 2024 as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 50th Aerial Port Squadron.

Tiffany L. Yacomeni holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Frostburg State University and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. She is currently working toward obtaining her Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice Leadership from Liberty University.
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Why Tiffany enjoys serving as an LI Mentor:
I enjoy serving as an LI Coordinator because it allows me to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders. I get to "work with passionate individuals who are eager to develop their skills and make an impact. It's inspiring to see participants grow, gain confidence, and enhance their leadership potential through the LI. Being in this role provides a sense of fulfillment because I can create and organize sessions that empower individuals with the tools they need to succeed. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and bring together different perspectives. I am also fortunate to work alongside three intelligent, compassionate, and dynamic Coordinators who share my values and passion."

Fun Fact:
A fun fact about me is that I have been a member of the United States Air Force Reserves for 22 years (May 2003). I am currently serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader of an Aerial Port Squadron in California.

Favorite Quote:
“Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone.” – Robin Sharma

Jennifer Gray
Chief Deputy Director
Marion County Community Corrections

Bio:
Jennifer Gray graduated from... the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology. Upon graduation, Jennifer began working with court-ordered juveniles in therapeutic group home settings. In 1995, she transitioned to the Washington County Juvenile Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as an Intake Officer. For four years she managed a caseload of Children in Need of Services (CHINS) and juvenile diversion clients.

Upon relocating to Indianapolis in 1999, Jennifer was employed as a Probation Officer with the Marion Superior Court Adult Probation Department. Shortly after she accepted a Behavioral Health position with a local behavioral health provider on the Forensics Team working inside the Marion County Jail providing behavioral health services and substance abuse evaluations. It was this role that led to her career with Marion County Community Corrections in 2005, where she served as Behavioral Health Supervisor. She was promoted to Deputy Director of MCCC in 2008 and to Chief Deputy Director in 2017.

Jennifer graduated from the American Probation & Parole Association Leadership Academy, Class 7, in 2021. She has served as a volunteer Coordinator for the Leadership Institute since graduation. She is a certified facilitator for Appreciation at Work, Thinking For a Change, and the National Curriculum Training Institute’s cognitive behavioral programs, as well as Real Colors.
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Why Jennifer enjoys serving as an LI Mentor:
"I enjoy serving as a LI Coordinator because it’s an opportunity for me to give back to APPA but most importantly to support up and coming leaders in our field. The program was incredibly impactful for me as an LI7 graduate, opening numerous doors for networking, sharing ideas, and learning about other jurisdictions. Every year we strive to build this program and improve, making it a wonderful learning and growth opportunity for the participants."

Fun Fact:
Mom of four and grandma of two adorable little boys. My youngest is a high school senior and is a heart transplant recipient and will be 10 years post-transplant in July. I volunteer for the Indiana Donor Network (IDN) as a Family Advocate to educate and share information on donation and transplantation in high schools and the Indianapolis community. I am in my 4th year of volunteering for IDN.

Favorite Quote:
This one is a hard one because there’s so many great quotes whether its personal or professional! This one is personal to me and one I came across when my son was a baby and my world crumbled with his bleak diagnosis --- “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” - Randy Pausch from his book, The Last Lecture. I referred to this many times and educated myself on my son’s complicated heart defects and became a fierce advocate for his care and treatment.