BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ILANA GOLDHABER-GORDON
Chairman of the Board
Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon is the beloved Rabbi Educator at Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City. She grew up in an Orthodox Jewish community in a very close-knit family. She holds rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Harvard University.
Then, as a scientist, she retrained during midlife as a liberal rabbi at the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles.
ILANA GOLDHABER-GORDON
She believes that the capacity to change ourselves is one of our most precious gifts as human beings. The need to examine our actions daily, acknowledge what we have done wrong, and work to improve ourselves is central to Jewish teaching. Out of this belief comes the recognition that a person who has committed a crime need not be defined forever by that wrong, as remorse and repentance are truly possible.
DR. MATTHEW CLAIR
Matt's scholarship has received awards from the American Sociological Association, the American Society of Criminology, the Law and Society Association, and the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and has been supported by various fellowships and grants, including the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Matthew Clair, PhD
Member of the Board
Matthew Clair is a sociologist and professor at Stanford University. His research examines race and class inequalities in the law. His recent book Privilege and Punishment: How Race and Class Matter in Criminal Court draws on in-depth interviews and ethnographic observations with criminal defendants to uncover how the attorney-client relationship favors the privileged and denies justice to the poor and to working-class people of color.
DR. CM SCHADE, MD, PhD, PE, FIPP
Treasurer of the Board
C M SCHADE, MD, PhD, PE, FIPP CM Schade, MD, PhD has over 40 years of experience in the treatment of chronic pain. He is practicing Pain Medicine at Advanced Pain Solutions in Mesquite (the Dallas Metroplex ), Texas. He is ABA Board Certified in Pain Management, a Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice and a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, American Board of Pain Medicine, Academy of Integrative Pain Management and American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians. He has subspecialized in the diagnosis and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, see his web site cmschade.com.
DR. CM SCHADE
Dr. Schade has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.
Lt. Colonel Schade also served 10 years with the US Air Force as a Flight Surgeon and served as the Air Force Surgeon General's Consultant in Chemical Warfare.
He is a pioneer in the field of spinal cord stimulation and has made multiple contributions that have advanced spinal cord stimulation and pain therapies and has gained national recognition for his work.
Dr. Schade is also a strong supporter of patient rights and is a Director Emeritus of the Texas Pain Society, Past-President of the Texas Pain Society and the Greater North Texas Pain Society, a Texas Medical Association Delegate and represents Pain Medicine on the Texas Medical Association's Interspecialty Society, and has been the Pain Medicine Delegate on the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee.
DR. JENNIE SINGER
DR. JENNIE SINGER, Psychologist, PhD
Member of the Board
Jennie Singer received her B.A. in English and Psychology from San Diego State University in 1989, and then she obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1995 from the California School of Professional
Psychology in San Diego, CA. Dr. Singer has extensive experience working as a clinical psychologist in forensic settings, such as for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Currently, she provides psychological evaluations for offenders who are preparing for sentencing.
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OMKARI WILLIAMS, Host of "Stepping Into Truth"
Member of the Board
Omkari Williams is a speaker, writer, podcast host, and coach for activists, both experienced and new, helping them develop and sustain their activism. Her passion is teaching people how to leverage the power of story as a tool in changing social policy. Omkari says, “Our stories are bridges between us and others and can be immensely powerful in creating societal change. Yet the stories of so many have been neglected. When we learn how to leverage the power of our collective stories we can create meaningful change and help bring justice to the world.”
OMKARI WILLIAMS
On her podcast, Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Race, Gender, and Social Justice, she interviews people doing activist work in areas from Abortion Rights to Zero Plastic Waste.
Omkari's writing has been featured online by Elephant Journal, My Empowered World, Women For One, and Tattooed Buddha & in print by Savannah Magazine and Paprika Southern. She has also now released a new book called "Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn.
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ETAN ZAITSU, CJA Attorney
Member of the Board
Board Member and CJA Attorney Etan Zaitsu is a dynamic force within our nonprofit, embodying the qualities of both a fierce advocate for indigent clients and a pragmatic, constructive agent of systemic change. With a reputation as a top-tier legal advocate, Etan is renowned for his unwavering dedication to safeguarding the fundamental right of every individual to robust legal representation, regardless of the accusations they face. He meticulously scrutinizes evidence and is prepared to contest any infractions, ranging from police and prosecutor misconduct to Fourth Amendment issues and unjust sentencing practices.
ETAN ZAITSU
In addition to his role as a respected defense attorney, Etan is a passionate educator, offering invaluable insights into the complexities of the legal process. He sheds light on the arduous journey that all defendants face, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the system effectively.
Through his tireless efforts as a defender and his commitment to effecting positive change, Etan exemplifies the principles of fairness, integrity, and compassion within our organization and beyond.