Pathways to Pretrial Justice (April 25, 2023)

Shavonte is a Senior Associate at PJI, where she develops and implements the organization’s change work and curriculum. As a former foster youth and child of a formerly incarcerated parent, Shavonte has spent over a decade of her career using her legal expertise and life experiences to support her work in advancing systemic solutions to the distinct challenges and barriers that system-involved youth and families face. Her background includes working as a case manager for homeless youth and families as well as many years serving as a peer and professional advocate for current and former foster youth. Prior to coming to PJI, she served as the Georgia Assistant State Coordinator for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. 

Meghan Guevara is an Executive Partner with the Pretrial Justice Institute, where she serves as a member of the leadership team and oversees PJI’s learning communities and technical assistance efforts. She has spent 20 years providing training and technical assistance to criminal justice and human services professionals engaged in systemic justice system reform. At PJI, Meghan works with elected officials, advocates, policymakers, and practitioners in pursuit of safe, fair, and equitable pretrial systems.

Meghan began her career as a health educator working with young people in the youth justice and child welfare systems. She received a Master of Public Health degree in social and behavioral sciences from Boston University.

Tenille Patterson is an Executive Partner with the Pretrial Justice Institute, where in partnership with Meghan Guevara, she leads PJI’s strategic visioning, program implementation and organizational management activities. Tenille has spent over 15 years as a nonprofit executive leader supporting mission critical organizations serving communities subject to systemic disinvestment, injustice and neglect. At PJI, Tenille oversees the finance, human resources, operations, and communications portfolios.    Tenille has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Morgan State University and is a certified public accountant.