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.
Read more

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!
Read more

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

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.
Read more

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:
As the mother of a heart recipient, I am a fierce proponent of organ donation and transplantation and active volunteer for Donate Life Indiana. In my spare time, I love spoiling my three grandchildren!

Favorite Quote:
“Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind.” - Brene Brown

David Taylor
Division Director, Intensive Probation & Fugitive Apprehension Unit
Maricopa County Adult Probation, Maricopa County, AZ

Bio:
David Taylor earned a... Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento in 2004. While attending Sacramento State, he began his career in community corrections with the Sacramento County Probation Department, serving as a Probation Assistant in the department’s juvenile detention facilities. After graduating, he was promoted to Deputy Probation Officer, where he held several roles, including shift leader at the Sacramento County Boys Ranch, before transitioning to Juvenile Field Services.

In 2010, David relocated to Arizona and joined the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department as a Probation Officer. In this role, he supervised standard field caseloads in the Central Phoenix area. He later specialized as a Standard Sex Offender Officer and subsequently managed a Sex Offender Intensive Probation caseload.

David was promoted to a supervisory position in 2016, where he initially led a Standard Field Unit and later a Sex Offender Field Unit. During his tenure as a supervisor, he emphasized the implementation of Core Correctional Practices and became actively involved in training and mentoring staff in evidence-based supervision strategies.

In 2020, David was promoted to Division Director, overseeing the department’s Community Transition and Support Division. In this capacity, he managed prison and jail reentry units, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) supervision units, and the department’s Education Services. In 2022, he transitioned to lead the Intensive Probation Supervision units as well as the Fugitive Apprehension Units for the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department.

Currently, David oversees eleven units within his division. Eight units supervise more than 1,000 individuals on Intensive Probation Supervision, while the Fugitive Apprehension Units actively pursue more than 10,000 outstanding probation and pretrial warrants. He also oversees the department’s implementation of Core Correctional Practices to ensure staff have access to the most effective evidence-based tools and resources to support the individuals they supervise.
< br> In 2023, David graduated from the American Probation and Parole Association Leadership Academy (Class 8). Since then, he has served as a Leadership Institute Mentor for Leadership Institute Classes 9 and 10.
Read more

Why David enjoys serving as an LI Mentor:
"Becoming a mentor with the American Probation and Parole Association’s Leadership Institute was a natural step for me after the experience I had as a participant in the program. As a student, I had the opportunity to connect and network with leaders from community corrections agencies across the country. Those conversations, shared challenges, and collaborative learning experiences were incredibly valuable to my growth as a leader. Because of that experience, I wanted to help ensure that future participants have the same opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside other professionals who are committed to strengthening the field of community corrections.

Serving as a mentor also allows me to continue developing my own leadership skills while supporting others who are stepping into or growing within leadership roles. The work we do in community corrections is complex and constantly evolving and having a network of leaders who can share ideas, encouragement, and perspective is incredibly important. My goal as a coordinator is to provide support, guidance, and a sounding board for leaders in this field, while also continuing to learn from their experiences and perspectives."

Fun Fact:
I grew up in a military family and had the experience of living in Japan for four years in my early teens. I am also a huge sports fan and love spending time with my family and friends.

Favorite Quote:
“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” - Babe Ruth