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Taking on Equity

A Conversation with Cherise Fanno Burdeen

Cherise Fanno Burdeen, the CEO of the Pretrial Justice Institute, has spent more than 20 years working to improve public safety policies and practices around the country. Chanda and Cherise talk about how Cherise’s understanding of her whiteness has impacted her work, the racial divides in our systems, and how the time is ripe to reform our nation’s pretrial practices.

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About Our Guest

Cherise Fanno Burdeen

After earning a bachelor’s in public administration from Miami University (Ohio) and a master’s in criminal justice from Indiana University, Cherise Fanno Burdeen began her career with the DOJ’s National Institute of Justice. After fieldwork that included time with the Safer Foundation in Chicago and post-9/11 federal service with the Department of Homeland Security, Cherise joined Pretrial Justice Institute.

Since 2006, Cherise has developed innovative strategies to raise awareness of pretrial justice issues, amassed a broad constituency of criminal justice stakeholder groups, provided technical assistance and training on policy reforms, and engaged in communications and media efforts. She has extensive experience with strategic planning, initiative management, and change efforts across the criminal justice system. She serves as an issue expert for legal and correctional professionals, national and community advocates, the media, influencers, and artists.