Robert E. Shepherd Jr. Leadership Award for Excellence in Youth Defense by The Gault Center

Congratulations to Angela Chang, our Youth Defense Division Director! Ms. Chang has been awarded a Robert E. Shepherd Jr. Leadership Award for Excellence in Youth Defense by The Gault Center. She was nominated for this award by the Gault Center’s National Advisory Board. This Board wrote, in part:

“Some of her most impactful work has been done in recent years, where she’s been instrumental in ensuring a legacy of zealous advocacy and support for system-involved youth in Cincinnati. Over the past few years, Angela wrote and won several grants from OJJDP, securing grant funding for her office to employ full time social workers and bring a holistic defense model to Ohio. This made Cincinnati one of the first jurisdictions in Ohio to house such a program in their youth defender office. 

The Executive Director of the Gault Center, also had this to say about Ms. Chang: Above all else, you’ve been described as “compassionate” and that “she leaves every place she goes better than she found it, including the youth legal system.” 

Thank you for all that you do for the Youth Defense Community, the children you represent, and embodying visionary leadership in youth defense.

Congratulations Angela Chang and thank you again for everything that you do!

Kathryn A. Ancona

Deputy Director

Law Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender