Arnold Ventures Hires Jennifer Doleac as Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice

HOUSTON — Arnold Ventures has announced the hiring of Jennifer Doleac, a nationally renowned economist and leading figure in the field of evidence-based criminal justice policy, as its new executive vice president of criminal justice.

Doleac will succeed Jeremy Travis, who joined Arnold Ventures in 2017 and oversaw a period of significant growth in the criminal justice portfolio, adding new initiatives in policing, reintegration, corrections, prosecution, public defense, and fines and fees.

“I am delighted to welcome Jennifer to Arnold Ventures. She is an accomplished scholar and leader in criminal justice reform with a deep commitment to rigorous research and evidence-based policymaking,” said Travis. ​“I am confident that Jennifer’s vision and expertise will help advance our mission to create lasting change in the criminal justice system.”

In her role, Doleac will lead Arnold Ventures’ mission of translating research and data into policy with a goal of promoting community safety and improving the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

“Jennifer is a true leader in the field of criminal justice, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Arnold Ventures,” said Kelli Rhee, president and chief executive officer of Arnold Ventures. ​“Her expertise, passion, and commitment to improving the criminal justice system through research and evidence align perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that her leadership will have a significant impact on our efforts to change the system to improve people’s lives.”

Doleac is an associate professor of economics at Texas A&M University and the director of the Justice Tech Lab, which conducts research related to crime and the criminal justice system. She is also a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center, a research fellow at IZA — Institute of Labor Economics, and the host of the ​“Probable Causation” podcast.

Doleac’s work has been published in numerous academic journals, including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, the Review of Economics and Statistics, and the Journal of Labor Economics. She is a sought-after speaker and has provided expert testimony before congressional committees, state legislatures, and city councils.

“I’ve spent my entire professional career seeking equity and fairness in the criminal justice system,” said Doleac. ​“With the heft of Arnold Ventures and its unparalleled team of experts, I’m confident that we can build on its achievements and catalyze even more meaningful and impactful change.”

Doleac will assume the role of executive vice president of criminal justice on July 10, 2023. 

About Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Media Contact:
Evan Mintz
Arnold Ventures
emintz@​arnoldventures.​org
(713) 554‑1974