Meet the BOD.
Professor John Rago, Esq.
Board Chair
Professor John Rago
Professor John Rago brings to the board of Directors a plethora of the criminal justice system and deep compassion and understanding the needs of victims in the justice process. His work in criminal justice focuses on conviction integrity initiatives undertaken through collaborative policy making and the establishment of science-based best practices for law enforcement, prosecutors, and indigent defense. Recognizing that truth is a difficult conquest in any context. The guiding principles underlying Rago's efforts in the field of criminal justice is to establish policies and evidence-based best practices that serve with equal vigor the interests and needs of law enforcement, victims, and the accused.
Rago has worked closely with Allegheny County District Attorney, Stephen Zappala, individual district attorneys and members of law enforcement across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA), policymakers in Harrisburg, PA Courts, and the criminal indigent defense and innocence advocate communities to advance conviction integrity initiatives in criminal investigations and prosecutions. His ongoing efforts and collaborations in Allegheny County have produced various best-practices models for the county and the commonwealth in such areas as evidence-based eyewitness identification practices for police and prosecutors, electronic recording of custodial interrogations, and uniform evidence preservation practices. Most recently, these collaborations significantly contributed to the passage of comprehensive legislation on police-worn body cameras in Pennsylvania (PA SB 560 leading to the passage and signing into law of Act 22 of 2017). Currently, Rago is working with Allegheny County stakeholders on a range of criminal justice initiatives. Among them include holistic defense models for indigent representation, true diversion programs for non-violent low-level offenders, criminal statute reforms, and greater collaboration between criminal justice and public health stakeholders.
Rago serves on the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) Committee on Standard Criminal Jury Instructions. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, and he also serves as special counsel to the Allegheny County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Rago is frequently consulted on matters of conviction integrity, police and prosecutorial practices, and post-conviction claims of actual innocence. Most recently, Professor Rago was appointed by Governor Wolf to serve as a member of the Parolee Homicide Review Team as authorized under Act 115 of 2019.
The Honorable Linda L. Kelly, Esq.
Vice President
Honorable Linda L. Kelly, Esq.
The Honorable Linda L. Kelly, Esq. served as the attorney general of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2013. Linda Kelly an Allegheny County native and graduate of Pitt and Duquesne Law School, was part of the first big wave of female lawyers to go into the male-dominated field of criminal prosecution, starting in the Allegheny County district attorney’s office in 1975. Within a few years, Kelly had risen from her entry-level slot to an assignment on the county’s major-crimes unit, under former Allegheny DA Robert Colville.
By 1980, drawing notice for her understanding of the law, trial savvy and her ability to deal with people, Kelly was recruited away to the U.S. Attorney’s office where she served twice as an acting U.S. Attorney, in 1997–98 and again in 2001. She was nominated by Governor Tom Corbett to be his permanent successor as Attorney General of Pennsylvania in February 2011, and was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate.
In March, 2011, a grand jury was convened for the purpose of investigating what became know as “the Penn State Child Sex Abuse Scandal” concerning allegations of child sexual abuse committed by Jerry Sandusky, an assistant coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team from 1969 – 1999. In June, 2012 AG Kelly successful led the prosecution and conviction of Jerry Sandusky when the jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 of the 48 counts against him.
After a three-year hiatus, former Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly was named as the new Court Administrator for Allegheny County where she served until her retirement. Linda brings her years of service as a tough prosecutor and champion of women and children. A leader and pioneer as one of the first females to stake he claim as a criminal she brings depth and compassion to our Board of Directors.
Benjamin Saks
CEO Kerf Case – Treasurer
Benjamin Saks
A recipient the Carnegie Hero Award, Benjamin Saks helped to save a police officer from an assault in Pittsburgh. A police officer tackled the man he had been pursuing on a city street and took him to the pavement. Ben, a student at CMU and bystander asked the officer if he needed help. Saks then laid on the suspect’s legs to help hold him down. The perpetrator then grasped the officer’s weapon and fired it, striking Ben in the left hand. The assailant was subdued and arrested.
The Carnegie hero Award is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
Since graduating from CMU and receiving the Carnegie Hero Award, Ben connected with Center for Victims planning to write and produce a short film about the lives of victims after the crime. Working with Center for Victims in 2013, Ben premiered his Float Film “Life After”, narrated by Martin Sheen, at the Pittsburgh Film Makers.
Since that time Ben has been a devoted and steadfast member of the CV Board of Directors, promoting countless efforts such as the Men’s Challenge PSA. Serving as Treasurer and recipient of the CV Peace it Together Award, Ben Saks brings extensive management experience working with large clients in creative industries. A filmmaker, adjunct professor of Architecture at CMU, and artist working with a variety of media, Ben lives in Pittsburgh with his wife and son.
Maryssa McGuire, M.Ed., CAGS, NCSP,
Director of Psychological and Student Services, Environmental Charter School – Secretary
The Honorable Governor Tom Corbett, Esq.
Honorable Governor Tom Corbett, Esq.
Governor Tom Corbett brings a long history of criminal legal experience and strong compassion for victims of crime.
A life-long Pennsylvania resident, Corbett has a long and distinguished career serving the citizens of the Commonwealth in a variety of significant positions including Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney, Chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Attorney General, and Governor. He has made a significant impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians through his work on issues of criminal justice, victim’s rights, and drug and alcohol prevention and rehabilitation.
In the early 1980s, Corbett served President Ronald Reagan as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, specializing in prosecuting organized crime and drug cases. He was also named as one of the first members of President Reagan's National Drug Task Force.
Following several years of private law practice, Corbett was called back to public service in 1989, when President George H. W. Bush appointed him to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
In the 1990s, Corbett provided criminal law and policy expertise to then-Congressman Tom Ridge, later filling several key roles in Governor Ridge's administration. Corbett planned the Governor's successful special session on crime and was appointed to chair the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, shaping criminal justice policy including the establishment of victim’s rights and the ever-important role of victims in the justice system, as well as the improvement of drug and alcohol prevention and rehabilitation programs across the state.
In 1995, Corbett was nominated by Governor Ridge as Attorney General to fill the unexpired term of Attorney General Ernie Preate. He served as Attorney General in this capacity from 1995-1997.
Corbett then returned to the private practice of law in Pittsburgh. Until his election as Pennsylvania Attorney General in November 2004. During his reelection in 2008, Corbett was re-elected as Pennsylvania's Attorney General with more than three million votes.
Corbett's accomplishments as Attorney General brought him national recognition. Most notable are his efforts to protect our children. Corbett convened a grand jury in 2009 to investigate longstanding allegations of child sexual abuse by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The grand jury uncovered evidence of criminal misconduct, and a 40-count indictment against Sandusky was issued in 2011, ultimately leading to Sandusky's criminal conviction in 2012.
Today, the Honorable Tom Corbett is a distinguished Executive in Residence at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Most recently, the former governor has served as an adjunct professor at the law school and has continued his commitment to both local and statewide efforts in criminal justice. Tom and his wife live in Pittsburgh. They have 2 children and 6 grandchildren.
Professor Bruce Antkowiak, Esq.
St. Vincent College
Devin L. Patterson, MSCP, LPC, NCC
Certified Trauma Therapist, Counselor, Allegheny County Community College, member Omega Psi Phi
Devin L. Patterson
Devin L. Patterson is a Psychotherapist with over 30 years’ experience in the counseling profession. Devin has a Doctoral degree in Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania and has been in private practice since 2011. Dr. Patterson currently serves as the Department Head for the Counseling Department at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Boyce Campus in Monroeville. Dr. Patterson also serves as a mental health consultant for a re-entry program designed to help formerly incarcerated citizens transition back into the community. Dr. Patterson is also a trainer and community partner for a local domestic violence shelter.
Dr. Patterson is currently serving as a Board Member for both the Center for Victims and The Serenity Transitional living Home. Dr. Patterson is also a committee member on the national initiative "Brother You’re on My Mind (BYOMM).” BYOMM is a national committee aimed at raising mental health awareness among African American males. At CCAC Dr. Patterson helped to develop the mentoring and networking program the “Men of Merit.” Men of Merit was developed to support and improve the retention rates of African American male college students. Finally, Dr. Patterson serves as a mentor and internship supervisor for students at three local universities pursuing careers in counseling, psychology, and social work.
Joseph Asturi
Allegheny County Court Administration
The Honorable District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala
Ex Officio
Staff.
Laurie MacDonald
President & CEO
[email protected]
Laurie MacDonald
Laurie MacDonald is a innovative, creative and compassionate leader dedicated to improving the lives of those, who through no fault of their own, find themselves victims of crime. A Carnegie Mellon graduate who has enjoyed a varied career path, she has worked for fortune 500 companies and as a volunteer and fundraiser. She has been elected to political office twice and even took a run at the PA State Senate.
Laurie's cache of opportunities and talents led her to Womansplace were she turned a $400,000 deficit budget into a $1.4 million budget. In 2012, she spearheaded the effort to merge with Center for Victims of Violence and Crime and created Center for Victims (CV), the largest, most comprehensive victim service organization of its kind in PA and the country. Today, CV enjoys a healthy $5 million budget, serves more than 15,000 people a year, employs 80 + highly trained staff meeting the needs of victims of all crimes.
Laurie’s innovative efforts have given rise to the following unique initiatives:
* Canine assisted therapy for abused children and families navigating the forensic process with Children’s Hospital staff and the court system.
* Full Circle Jail release safety planning app in partnership with Allegheny County Jail for witnesses and victims of domestic violence.
* Halo geofencing app, an electronic PFA early warning system for domestic violence victims and crime scene witnesses.
* The Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center. A research based, professionally designed experiential learning exhibit, training and wellness center dedicated to helping victims and community members recognize trauma, understand the short and long term impact of traumatic experiences and provide them with the tools they need to heal as individuals and as communities. Laurie and her husband have 2 sons, a daughter-in- law and a grandchild on the way.
Laurie’s favorite quote:
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” - Steve Jobs
Tracey Provident
Vice President & CPO
[email protected]
Tracey L. Provident
Tracey Provident has devoted over thirty years to raising awareness about the impact of crime on victims and advocating for their crucial role in the justice system. She began her career in victim and witness assistance as an intern at The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC), where she quickly discovered her passion for supporting individuals affected by violence, abuse, and trauma. Tracey currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Program Officer, where she is responsible for developing and overseeing all direct services and programs.
Before assuming this role, Tracey served as the Interim Executive Director of CVVC, where she successfully forged a strategic alliance and led a large-scale merger with Laurie MacDonald and Womansplace, another victim service organization. This merger resulted in the creation of Center for Victims, the largest and most comprehensive victim service organization in Pennsylvania.
Throughout her career, Tracey has held various leadership positions in nonprofit administration encompassing strategic planning, daily operations, program development and implementation, fundraising, quality assurance, and human resources. Her extensive expertise also includes managing direct services in multiple capacities. As the first Child Advocacy Coordinator, Tracey expanded programs for children and families, introducing specialized child advocacy and coordinating services within Pittsburgh’s Child Court system. In her role as manager, she led the growth of services in response to the evolving landscape of victims’ rights. Tracey has provided legal, medical and crisis intervention services to victims and witnesses of all types of violence and crime and has delivered educational programs on the impacts of victimization and trauma, victim’s rights and related topics.
Tracey has served on numerous local and state committees and boards focused on crime victims. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Duquesne University, is a trained crisis responder by the National Organization for Victim Assistance and is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh, Class XXIII. In recognition of her dedication and accomplishments in crime victim services, Tracey received the Governor’s Victim Service Pathfinders Award in 2018.
Amy Cortes
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
Amy Cortes
Amy Cortes is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Center for Victims (CV). She has 22 + years of experience with financial operations in the non-profit sector. Ms. Cortes is a graduate of Robert Morris University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for Accounting, graduating Cum Laude.
She began her career with Womansplace in 2002, managing a budget that was in deficit of $400,000. Over the course of the next 10 years, she solidified the non-profits financials and reserves. Due to her exceptional leadership and financial stewardship, along with the President/CEO, that deficit budget became a budget of a little over one million dollars. Over the course of the next 10 years, she solidified the non-profits financials and reserves. Due to her exceptional financial skills and deep understand of nonprofit accounting, Amy was able to help guide the agency through a successful merger with The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC), resulting in an increase of the budget to over five million dollars and growing.
In 2022, Amy was awarded the prestigious CFO of the year award by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Ms. Cortes continues to maintain the agency’s stability and financial resources, while ensuring all policies are consistent with best practice and include the most up to date materials, information and requirements. She and her husband have 3 children.
