Amplifying Voices, Breaking Multiple Barriers

Vanguard Voice Keynote Speaker

Tracie L. Keesee, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Virginia; Co-Founder, Center for Policing Equity; Former Deputy Commissioner, New York City Police Department

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  Tracie L. Keesee stands as one of the most consequential voices in American policing—a visionary leader whose career has been defined by breaking barriers and building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. A retired 25-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, Keesee made history as the first African American commander in the Department's history before being recruited to serve the nation's largest police force in transformational leadership roles.

  As Deputy Commissioner of Training for the New York Police Department under Commissioner William J. Bratton, Keesee directed the implementation of sweeping training reforms, including a complete restructuring of the recruitment curriculum to reflect 21st-century policing principles. She subsequently served as the first-ever Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion under Commissioner James O'Neill, where she developed and implemented the NYPD's comprehensive Equity and Inclusion strategic framework—advising the Police Commissioner on accountability systems that transformed how the nation's largest police department approached diversity, recruitment, employee opportunity, and organizational culture.

  Keesee is the co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity (CPE), the nation's preeminent research center dedicated to using data-driven and evidence-based interventions to help law enforcement agencies create more equitable outcomes and reduce harm. Under her leadership as President, CPE has become an indispensable resource for police departments and policymakers seeking to rebuild community trust through transparency and accountability. She also served as Project Director of the U.S. Department of Justice-funded National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice—a landmark initiative that has reshaped police-community relations across the country.

  In 2021, Keesee's influence extended to the global stage when she was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council President to serve as a member of an expert mechanism tasked with advancing racial justice and equity for Africans and people of African descent in the context of law enforcement worldwide. This appointment affirms her standing as an international authority on policing, equity, and human rights.

  Keesee holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communications from the University of Denver, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado at Denver, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Metropolitan State College-Denver, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. She is a graduate of the 203rd Session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. Currently serving as Associate Professor at the University of Virginia School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Keesee continues to shape the next generation of public safety leaders while publishing groundbreaking scholarship in peer-reviewed journals and collected anthologies.

Moderator

Shantae Coppock, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty

LEEL Program, Seton Hall University; Captain, Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office

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  Shantae Coppock, Ph.D., serves as an adjunct faculty member in the M.A. in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership (LEEL) Program at Seton Hall University and as a Deputy Sheriff Captain with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. With more than 18 years of experience in law enforcement, Coppock is a senior-level supervisor who has led complex court operations across three Philadelphia court facilities. In her current role, she oversees multiple units, including Special Operations and Court Facilities, and has previously commanded specialized units focused on wellness, training, armory operations, and community outreach. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing organizational wellness initiatives and developing peer support teams within the department. Notably, she authored more than 20 standards of operating procedures for five Sheriff’s Office–managed court facilities in a three-month period, reflecting her ability to translate policy into operational practice.

  Coppock holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Walden University, as well as an M.Phil. in Philosophy with a concentration in public policy and administration. She earned a master’s degree in human services and business administration and a bachelor’s degree in humanities with a minor in human services from Lincoln University. Integrating academic theory with professional practice, her work draws on interdisciplinary frameworks from philosophy, human services, and the humanities to address systemic challenges within the American criminal justice system. She applies evidence-based research, leadership theory, and decision-making models to improve institutional outcomes and promote collaboration among public- and private-sector stakeholders.

  In addition to her professional and teaching roles, Coppock is actively engaged in research and service. She serves as a co-principal investigator on a study examining the impact of social determinants on adolescent and young adult women’s health, mental wellness, substance use, and suicide prevention through Angels Protection Inc. Her dissertation, African American Law Enforcers’ Perceptions about Crime in Minority Communities (2020), further reflects her scholarly focus. Coppock is affiliated with several professional organizations, including NABLEO, NOBLE, and the Fraternal Order of Police, and serves as a criminal justice mentor. Her contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including a 2025 Black History Month Law Enforcement Award and a Bravery Award from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. She is also the proud mother of three daughters

Gineen Gray, M.A.

Former Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Operations, New York City Department of Probation

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  Gineen Gray concluded her distinguished career with the New York City Department of Probation after more than three decades of transformative leadership in juvenile justice, ultimately serving as Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Operations.

  Throughout her career, Gray became a nationally recognized expert in restorative justice, youth development, and evidence-based alternatives to incarceration for system-involved young people. As Deputy Commissioner, she oversaw citywide probation operations and programming under family court jurisdiction and led the implementation of diversion opportunities in New York City's Youth Parts following the landmark Raise the Age legislation.

  Gray championed developmentally appropriate interventions for young people, advocating for programs that connect justice-impacted youth with caring, culturally competent adults who provide support and pathways to future opportunity. Her leadership established innovative mentorship initiatives and community-based alternatives that dramatically reduced recidivism among young people.

  A passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, Gray continues to work as an educator and consultant, calling for investment in compassion and rehabilitation over criminalization, particularly for emerging adults whose involvement in the justice system too often derails their futures.

Bridget Lawrence, Adjunct Faculty

Criminal Justice Department, Seton Hall University; Lieutenant - Union County Prosecutor's Office (Ret.)

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  Lieutenant Lawrence retired after a distinguished career with the Union County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey, where she rose through the ranks from detective to Lieutenant of County Investigations. Throughout her decades of service, she demonstrated exceptional investigative expertise and leadership in major case investigations across Union and Essex counties, working collaboratively with municipal police departments on complex criminal matters including homicides, bank robberies, and serious violent crimes.

  As a detective and later sergeant, Lawrence was instrumental in several high-profile investigations, including her role in the Hat Bandit task force—one of the most extensive multi-agency law enforcement operations in New Jersey history. The task force, which drew hundreds of investigators from seventeen law enforcement agencies, successfully apprehended a serial bank robber responsible for nineteen heists over ten months in 2006-2007. Her investigative acumen and collaborative approach exemplified the critical partnerships between county prosecutors' offices and local law enforcement agencies.

  By 2017, Lawrence had advanced to Lieutenant of County Investigations, overseeing investigative operations and mentoring the next generation of detectives. Following her retirement from law enforcement, she transitioned into academia, bringing her extensive practical experience to the classroom as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Seton Hall University. Her commitment to criminal justice education reflects a dedication to preparing future law enforcement professionals with both theoretical knowledge and real-world insights gained from years of service. Her unique perspective on county-level investigations, multi-agency collaboration, and the transition from field operations to teaching makes her an invaluable voice on career pathways in law enforcement and the importance of bridging practitioner experience with academic preparation.

Deputy Chief Niheema Malloy

Maplewood Police Department

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  Niheema Malloy currently serves as Deputy Chief of the Maplewood Police Department, where she became the first woman to achieve this rank when promoted in January 2023. Malloy's law enforcement career began in 2002 with the Irvington Police Department, where she grew up in neighboring Essex County. In 2006, she transferred to the Maplewood Police Department, where she has served with distinction for nearly two decades. Throughout her career, she has held positions across multiple units including patrol, the Detective Bureau, Youth Aid and community liaison roles. Deputy Chief Malloy holds a master's degree from Seton Hall. Her Seton Hall education has been instrumental in shaping her approach to leadership development, organizational transformation and building inclusive workplace cultures.
  In February 2025, Malloy was honored by the Peace Island Institute for her leadership and community service. She has been featured in women's leadership forums, including serving as the guest speaker for the Hilton Neighborhood Association's Women's History Month celebration, where she shared her journey as the first woman to rise to deputy chief ranks in Maplewood. She is an active member of NOBLE New Jersey. The mother of two young children, Deputy Chief Malloy exemplifies the balance of executive leadership with family commitments. Her career trajectory — from patrol officer to deputy chief — demonstrates the power of mentorship, education and perseverance in breaking barriers. Her perspective on recruitment, retention, family-friendly policies and creating pathways for women and people of color in law enforcement makes her an invaluable voice for building the diverse, community-centered police departments of the future.

Cara Parmigiani, Esq., J.D. '13

Owner, Law Office of Cara A. Parmigani, LLC

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  Cara Parmigiani brings a unique and vital perspective as a Seton Hall University School of Law alumna who has built a distinguished career at the intersection of law, advocacy, and social justice. As the owner of the Law Office of Cara A. Parmigiani, LLC, she represents clients across multiple divisions of the New Jersey Judiciary, including family, criminal, probate, appellate, and tax matters. She is licensed to practice in New Jersey, the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, and New York.

  Parmigiani served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, Jr., J.S.C., and previously interned with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics. She has been recognized as a "Super Lawyers Rising Star" (2020-2023) and featured on Insider NJ's "OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List" (2021-2024) for her advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.

  As a professor at Seton Hall Law, she has taught "Persuasion and Advocacy" and "Gender in the Law," and has developed multiple CLE programs for the New Jersey State Bar Association on topics including cultural competency, generational gaps in the legal profession, and gender identity. Her work on issues of equity, inclusion, and breaking barriers—particularly as one of New Jersey's prominent LGBTQ+ legal advocates—offers critical insights into intersectionality and diversity in law enforcement and legal systems. Her Seton Hall connection adds meaningful institutional resonance to the event.

Kim Y. Royster

Transportation Bureau Chief, New York City Police Department (ret.)

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  Chief Royster retired in September 2023 after an extraordinary nearly 40-year career with the New York City Police Department, having risen from Police Administrative Aide in January 1985 to become one of the first Black women to achieve the assistant chief rank in the NYPD in 2013. Her career exemplifies transformational leadership across multiple strategic commands, most notably as Commanding Officer of the Candidate Assessment Division (2015–2017), where she spearheaded the department's most ambitious recruitment modernization initiative in decades. In this role, she completely revamped the NYPD's hiring infrastructure, creating a streamlined "one-stop shop" facility that consolidated previously fragmented applicant processing and reduced the hiring timeline for prospective officers.

  Chief Royster developed innovative recruitment strategies targeting millennials and diverse communities, launching the groundbreaking "It's You We Want" campaign—a radical departure from traditional military-style recruitment that emphasized service-oriented policing. Under her leadership, the Candidate Assessment Division attracted over 10,000 applicants within days of announcing a new examination, while implementing comprehensive evaluation protocols including psychological screening, physical fitness standards testing, and enhanced background investigations. Her strategic focus on diversity recruitment specifically addressed the critical need to attract African-American male candidates and women to policing.

  Subsequently, as Chief of the Transportation Bureau, she led one of the NYPD's most complex commands with responsibility for traffic safety, public education initiatives, and the Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program. Chief Royster's forward-thinking approach extended to digital communication, hosting the NYPD podcast "Color of The Day" to bridge community engagement gaps.
  Her career trajectory demonstrates sustained excellence in organizational transformation, strategic recruitment, diversity advocacy, and operational leadership—making her an invaluable voice on building the inclusive, community-centered police forces of the 21st century.

Program Agenda

5:30 - 6 p.m. Check-in / Networking
After you check in, connect with law enforcement professionals, faculty and other attendees at your own pace. Light refreshments available throughout the event.

6 p.m. Welcome Remarks
Dr. Kishon C. Hickman, Sr., Program Director of the M.A. Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Program
Dr. Randall F. Clemens, Associate Dean
Dr. Rong Chen, Acting Department Chair, Education Leadership, Management, and Policy

6:15 p.m. Vanguard Voice Keynote Speaker
There is no more fitting voice to open our inaugural celebration of women leaders in criminal justice than Dr. Tracie Keesee—a trailblazer whose career embodies the very themes of amplifying voices, breaking barriers and transforming public safety that define this event.

6:45 -7:45 p.m. Panel Discussion
The panel will explore critical leadership topics through the career journeys and executive experiences of women leaders in law enforcement, including career pathways and breaking barriers, redefining 21st century policing, and building diverse and effective workforces.

7:45 p.m. Q&A

8 p.m. Wrap-up from Dr. Hickman

Can't make this date?

If you are unable to attend any of our events, an individual conversation can be arranged with the Program Director. Please email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.