|
One of many initiatives of APPA, the Leadership Institute is a year-long intensive opportunity for community supervision professionals to grow their abilities, strengths, and knowledge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Cohort 10 at 2025 Winter Training Institute in Las Vegas, NV
What is a Leadership Institute?
This training is a 12-month journey of self-discovery and organizational change that provides current and potential managers in community supervision the opportunity to develop the knowledge and competencies required of effective leaders.
The current class, Cohort 10, started their journey during APPA's 2025 Winter Training Institute in Las Vegas, and will continue their training during APPA's 50th Annual Training Institute in New York, NY.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a leadership institute participant, you will...
DEVELOP
Take courses designed primarily for senior POs and managers
Embark on a 12-month journey of self-discovery
Increase critical and analytical thinking skills
Build on your passion for learning and leading
ADVANCE
Intervene in political, organizational, and sub-service delivery systems
Prepare for senior leadership in community corrections
Apply proven tools for career advancement
Complete a project that benefits your home agency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEET THE COORDINATORS

From left to right: Carmen Z Gomez, Susan Gagnon, Tiffany Yacomeni, Jennifer Gray
Tiffany Yacomeni
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 contribute to promote public safety, integration of justice-involved individuals, promote accountability, and to 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 administrate 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 curriculum development and implementation.
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 towards obtaining her Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice Leadership from Liberty
University. Read more
Why Tiffany enjoy 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
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 made a transition to the Washington County Juvenile Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as an Intake Officer. For four years she managed a caseload of Children In Need or 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, serving as the Behavioral Health Supervisor. She was promoted to Deputy Director of MCCC in 2008 and to Chief Deputy Director in 2017.
Jennifer graduated 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 enjoy serving as an LI Mentor: I enjoy serving as an 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 4 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students from the Leadership Institute – Class 9 shared some of their experiences from the past 12 months:
-
- I really enjoy hearing from different leaders and hearing about what they value.
- My favorite part is the upbeat presenters and the connection with others in the program, as well as the fantastic mentor I have.
- I really like the ‘team/family’ feeling that was consistently present and supported.
- Off-site experiences will be something I will always have to remember. I did the APPA boat which was amazing. I was also able to try several wonderful restaurants around the city with others from our LI9 class. Very grateful to have had this experience while attending the conference. Lifelong memories!
- I enjoyed the training on REAL colors including learning about my own behaviors and motivations along with how to recognize this in others.
- My favorite aspect has been the presenters and hearing their stories and experiences, I also really appreciate the ability to meet and network people at our table.
|
|
|