Vera Institute of Justice

Alana Sivin is the director of Vera's Greater Justice New York (GJNY) initiative, leading efforts to advance criminal legal reform across the Empire State. GJNY leverages research, policy expertise, and advocacy efforts to expose injustice—related to bail, sentencing, parole, fines and fees, and more—and to drive change by piloting innovative solutions, analyzing data, publishing evidence, partnering with movement leaders, and providing technical assistance.

Alana most recently worked at FWD.us as New York State director for criminal justice. A former public defender, she has also served as criminal justice counsel at the New York City Council, the Justice Collaborative, and the Rikers Commission. Alana has been recognized on City & State’s Latino Power 100 list and has appeared on television programs including NY1 and Univision to discuss criminal legal reform.

Alana holds a BA in political science with a concentration in education from Columbia University and a JD from Brooklyn Law School.