Katie Monroe

Executive Director

Washington, DC

Katie has served as Executive Director since Healing Justice was founded in 2015. Prior to joining Healing Justice, Katie served as Senior Advocate for National Partnerships with the Innocence Project, where she worked to develop support for and collaboration on innocence-related reforms with other national criminal justice stakeholders, including crime victims, police, and prosecutors. Before that she was Executive Director at the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center and Senior Counsel at the Constitution Project and the US Commission on Civil Rights. Katie received her law degree from George Mason University and has taught law school courses on wrongful convictions both at George Mason and the University of Utah. She has served on the Board of Directors for the National Innocence Network and the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and on the Victim Services Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Katie’s interest in wrongful convictions began in 1992, when her mother was wrongly convicted in Virginia. Katie spearheaded a legal battle to free her mother, which was won in 2003.

Stephanie Feller

Deputy Director

Washington, DC

Stephanie brings extensive experience working in nonprofit and for-profit organizations to Healing Justice, with a focus on public health. She spent nearly a decade in biomedical research and another decade in international development with organizations including the American Red Cross and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Public Health in Global Health with a concentration in Design, Monitoring and Evaluation from George Washington University. She is certified in project management for non-profits and has managed numerous grants and programs funded by the US government and private foundations. She has supported implementation and management of programs on HIV and AIDS, cancer, heart disease, refugee health care, and natural disasters, among others. Stephanie has a passion for public health and is interested in its intersection with restorative justice, particularly focusing on how trauma affects physical and mental health.

Brittany Shefter

Director, Healing programs

Durham, NC

Brittany joined Healing Justice after her interests in restorative justice and criminal justice reform led her to a year-long internship coordinated via her Master of Social Work program. After graduating with an MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MDiv from Duke University, she officially joined the staff of Healing Justice in July 2017. As Director of Programs, Brittany oversees and implements the development and refinement of programs that promote the mission of Healing Justice in seeking to bring healing to individuals who have been harmed through wrongful convictions. Her experience in qualitative research, evaluation, and program development strengthen our existing programs and provide new opportunities to engage the communities we serve.

Claire Exley

Director, Justice Programs

Milwaukee, WI

Claire joined Healing Justice with extensive experience in victim services, victims’ rights, and systems change. Prior to joining Healing Justice, Claire provided direct assistance to crime victims and survivors as a Victim Witness Advocate in the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office and a Victim Services Coordinator in the Winona County (MN) District Attorney’s Office. In these positions, she also led several multidisciplinary teams focused on enhancing justice system partnerships and improving system response to victims and survivors. Claire holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership Education from Winona State University. Her graduate research focused on understanding the needs of individuals affected by victimization, exploring how their needs are met by service providers, and identifying gaps in response. Claire is passionate and driven to continuously evaluate and improve the work of the justice system while supporting those impacted by crime. Her education, experience, and enthusiasm increase opportunities for Healing Justice to engage with our justice systems and partners nationwide and expand support and services for victims and survivors.

Jené O’Keefe Trigg

Managing director of Innovation & growth

New Orleans, LA

Jené O'Keefe Trigg joined Healing Justice's team in July 2022, bringing more than 20 years of experience in organizational fundraising, communications, and management. Prior to joining Healing Justice, Jené was Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office, where she helped form the Civil Rights Division, created opportunities for community engagement and collaboration, and supported the implementation of key criminal legal reforms. At Innocence Project New Orleans, she was the Managing Director for over a decade, leading the organization's financial and operational success and implementing a re-entry division. Jené has also held leadership positions at Pro-Media Communications and the Moratorium Campaign and served on the board of directors of Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation and Daughters Beyond Incarceration. Her tremendous experience and passion expand Healing Justice’s reach and impact nationwide.

Diana Gower

operations Manager

Chapel Hill, NC

Diana brings a background in public health and non-profit office and program management to Healing Justice. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Master of Public Health from Boston University where she focused her coursework on women's reproductive rights. Prior to joining Healing Justice, Diana managed a culinary job training program at St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County, as well as an adult education program at Father Joe's Villages in San Diego, providing services for formerly incarcerated individuals. She also directed the Human Resources department at a worker-owned cooperative bakery in the Bay Area, and has done bookkeeping for two small businesses. Diana contributes these collective experiences to all of her many roles at Healing Justice.

Shanika Brown

Healing Programs Coordinator

Chapel Hill, NC

Shanika brings a background in the mental health field with experience in trauma-informed care as an inpatient and outpatient therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from UNC-Greensboro, and a Master of Social Worker from the Joint Master of Social Work program with UNC-Greensboro and NCA&T. Shanika is passionate about making a positive difference in individuals and communities through program planning and resource development utilizing a diverse skill set. As the healing programs coordinator, she applies her skills and experiences to expand our Healing Programs for the lives of those we serve.