Leadership Team
CEO
Director, National Crime Victim Bar Association
Renée Williams
Renée Williams is a dedicated advocate and leader in the field of victim services, currently serving as chief executive officer of the National Center for Victims of Crime. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and legal sectors, Renée has a proven track record of championing the rights and needs of victims of crime. Prior to her role at the NCVC, Renée was the executive director of a legal services organization in Pittsburgh that focused on the legal rights of victims of domestic violence and other indigent clients.
Renée is a sought-after speaker nationally, known for her dynamic presentations and ability to engage diverse audiences. She has represented NCVC on “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt,” Court TV, HLN, and is a frequent guest on podcasts. She has been instrumental in shaping national conversations around victims’ rights and has been a vocal advocate for changes to the justice system that better protect and support victims of crime. As the executive director of the NCVC, Renée continues to lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by crime. Her vision and dedication have made her a respected figure in the victim services field, and she remains a tireless advocate for those whose voices often go unheard.
Her passion for empowering survivors and creating a more just and compassionate society has been the driving force behind her career and reaches beyond her professional interests. She mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters, advocates for children as a court-appointed special advocate, and is a weekly volunteer at Maryland Therapeutic Riding. For these efforts, she has been recognized as an Athena Young Professional Finalist, named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40, and received a Jefferson Award.
Renée holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Point Park University.
Chief Communications Officer
Deidre Watford
Deidre Watford is the communications officer at the National Center, bringing over 35 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, creative direction and project budgeting. She worked at several local and national advertising agencies in New York and Richmond, Virginia, before deciding to harness the power of the relationships she had built over the years. In 2005, she founded JosMar & Associates where she became known for being flexible, diverse, independent, and dedicated to her clients. She quickly became the go-to resource for many diverse clients in the Richmond area. In 2013 she founded and still operates as president of The MJW Foundation, which was founded in honor of her mother, a trailblazer for the marginalized communities of the South Bronx. The MJW Foundation is an early childhood development organization which serves the underserved communities in the South Bronx by introducing cultural experiences and educational support to our young children. She has a passion for service and puts that passion to work at the National Center by helping to guide the messaging to our victim communities and advocates.
Chief Operating Officer
Iva Rody
Iva Rody is the chief operating officer at the National Center for Victims of Crime. Iva brings over 26 years of victim services leadership, program development, and management in both government and nonprofit sectors. She leads solutions-based programming that emphasizes the importance of holistic wellness for victims, families, and communities and regularly mentors victim service professionals and organizations. With extensive experience in victim services programming, she has led innovative technology-based initiatives that promote access to critical resources. Iva has been recognized by the Arizona attorney general for distinguished service and innovative practices and the International Association of Chiefs of Police for excellence in victim services. She is a faculty member at Arizona State University and serves as a subject matter expert for various national initiatives. Iva is a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Justice, a longstanding member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Victim Services Committee, the FBI Victim Services ELEVATE Workgroup, and a board member for the National Center for Prevention of Community Violence. In these roles, she advocates for safety, justice, and healing for crime victims and communities.
Directors
Senior Director, Events and Special Projects
Katy Maskolunas
Katy Maskolunas is the senior director of events and special projects at the National Center, where she oversees the planning of the annual National Training Institute and manages the National Center’s work related to victim involvement in criminal justice reform, including the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge. She has worked in many different roles during her years at the National Center, including on the National Crime Victim Bar Association, National Compassion Fund, and DC Victim Hotline. Before joining the National Center, she worked as a graduate intern at the Arlington County Police Department in Virginia, specializing in homeland security. Katy holds a master’s degree in forensic psychology from Marymount University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Georgia.
Senior Director, Programs
Michele Schwartz
Michele Schwartz is the senior director of programs, supporting the Center for Victims and Survivor Services and the Center for Victim Service Professionals. She brings over 25 years of experience as a preventionist and confidential advocate serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, stalking and harassment. Michele has experience as a nonprofit leader, facilitating multi-disciplinary training and technical assistance, legislative and public policy advocacy, and primary prevention efforts in Oregon, Tennessee, and Arizona. Michele was division director of the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, executive director of the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force, vice-chair of Oregon’s Sex Offense Treatment Board, customer care and outreach manager at Paid Leave Oregon, and served as a confidential victim advocate for the United States Antarctic Program. She is a board member for Oregon Abuse Advocates & Survivors in Service and participates in local efforts to implement progressive and survivor-centered criminal justice policies impacting justice-involved individuals. She has an interdisciplinary master’s degree with a focus in sociology, women and gender studies from Oregon State University.
Deputy Director, Center of Victims and Survivor Services
John Kemp
John Kemp is the deputy director of the Center of Victims and Survivor Services, overseeing both the national VictimConnect and local DC Victim hotlines. He brings over 10 years experience in the social services field including an extensive background in housing services, ranging from roles as a case manager on an assertive community treatment team to an assistant director of permanent supportive housing. John is an avid supporter of the arts, donating his time to serve on the board of directors for a local arts agency and frequently volunteering his time to support artists at theater shows and community events.
Deputy Director, Center for Victim Service Professionals
Daniel Torrez
Daniel is the deputy director of the Center for Victim Service Professionals. Before this, he served as the victim offender dialogue (VOD) coordinator with the Arizona Department of Corrections. He helped establish the first VOD program in Arizona and conducted several dialogues where he experienced firsthand the restorative justice and healing effect on all participants. Daniel served 21 years as a military police officer in the U.S. Army and participated in humanitarian/disaster relief, United Nations peacekeeping and combat operations. He served as a patrol supervisor, sexual assault victim advocate, SRT (SWAT) member, non-lethal weapons instructor, master trainer, and was a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, The Old Guard. Daniel also served as a federal law enforcement officer and university director of public safety. He is the former board vice-chair for the National Association of Victim Assistance in Corrections and a current member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. Daniel holds a master’s degree in business and organizational security management from Webster University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology and a certified public manager designation from Arizona State University. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Institute through the National Victim Assistance Academy.
