Dr. Cherise Fanno Burdeen is a community psychology and justice systems reform expert whose career spans pretrial justice, public defense, government leadership, and applied research on equity and well-being. She has led complex organizations, shaped national reform strategies, and guided systemic transformation efforts to advance fairness, accountability, and community safety. Her experience bridges the federal government, national nonprofits, and state and local jurisdictions, where she has collaborated with policymakers, defenders, and advocates to drive justice innovation.

Cherise advises public agencies, research partners, and community organizations on place-based strategies that connect data, emotional intelligence, and structural repair to reduce harm and strengthen community well-being. She began her career at the National Institute of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) and went on to serve for nearly fifteen years in leadership at the Pretrial Justice Institute, where she designed national campaigns and advanced state and local efforts to transform pretrial laws and practices.

Dr. Fanno Burdeen holds a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from National Louis University, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Public Policy from Indiana University Bloomington, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Miami University.