Heather Warnken, J.D., was named executive director of the Center for Criminal Justice Reform in January 2022. Prior to coming to the University of Baltimore School of Law, her work at both the US Dept. of Justice and UC Berkeley’s Warren Institute was focused on addressing the harm caused by the criminal legal system and promoting healing in marginalized communities. This work has included efforts to end the criminalization of trauma, and to increase resources for community-based strategies and services that more effectively enhance public safety and prevent harm.

As a visiting fellow at DOJ, co-affiliated with the Bureau of Justice Statistics and Office for Victims of Crime, Warnken served in the first-ever position dedicated to bridging the gap between research, policy and practice to improve the response to individuals and communities impacted by crime victimization. Through this role she facilitated collaboration across federal, state and local government partners, practitioners, researchers, and directly impacted communities in the implementation of equitable, data-driven policies and programs nationwide. These efforts included the design and launch of the first-ever national Victim Services Statistical Research Program, and supporting the equitable distribution of federal funds. Warnken worked with multiple cities in their efforts to address and reduce violence through the DOJ-led Public Safety Partnership, including leading a comprehensive assessment focused on boys and men of color and people impacted by gun violence in Baltimore. She also served on the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, National Resource Center for Reaching Victims, Estimating the Financial Costs of Victimization study, and the Collective Healing National Demonstration Initiative, working with cities to promote trauma informed-responses, accountability and trust-building between police and the communities they serve.

Prior to DOJ, Warnken spent five years as a legal policy associate at the Warren Institute on Law & Social Policy at University of California Berkeley School of Law, focused on justice reform. Warnken clerked for the Hon. Joseph Murphy on the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and has provided pro bono legal assistance in a range of civil, criminal and administrative matters. She holds an LL.M. from UC Berkeley Law (where she received the Fahey Award for deep commitment to ending violence against women); J.D., cum laude with pro bono distinction, Suffolk University Law School, and B.A., with honors, Johns Hopkins University.