Chief Probation Officers of California

Jannet Bonilla is a Probation Specialist with Alameda County Probation, bringing over 10 years of public sector experience with a strong foundation in administrative support. She holds expertise in evidence-based practices within justice involved and community-focused systems. Jannet brings a strong track record of supporting organizational effectiveness through strategic administrative leadership, professional development, and cross-functional collaboration.

Chelsey Chappelle brings over 27 years of experience in the field of probation, including more than two decades in leadership roles within California’s community corrections system. She began her career after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from California State University, Chico, along with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications from Shasta College.

Diane Cummins retired in December 2008 after a distinguished 31-year career in California government. Subsequent to her retirement, Ms. Cummins joined Governor Brown’s Administration and served for 8 years as his Special Advisor for State-Local Realignment and public safety reform.  She was instrumental in the formation and passage of 2011 Public Safety Realignment. She then served on the budget transition team for Governor-elect Newsom and stayed at the Department of Finance as a Special Advisor to the Director until March, 2020. Prior to her retirement, Ms.

Dean Dittmann has more than 25 years of IT experience spanning small business, telecommunications, enterprise IT, and the public sector. For the past six years, he has served as Senior IT Specialist with the Placer County Probation Department, where he has led major technology initiatives including the implementation of a new case management system and efforts to integrate AI into probation technology. Dean serves as President of the Probation IT Managers Association (PITMA) and is a member of the American Probation and Parole Association’s AI Subcommittee.

Esa Ehmen-Krause was appointed Chief Probation Officer in Contra Costa County in 2020 and has more than 25 years of experience working in the public sector. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University, and her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from National University.

Kiki Farris oversees all youth and adult programs and services as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Contra Costa County. She began her career more than 20 years ago as a Probation Counselor in Juvenile Hall, drawing on her experience as an underprivileged child and young mother from Oakland to guide troubled youth. Her background includes a wide range of community supervision, court operations, and a decade of leadership focused on developing service continuums, strengthening prevention efforts, and reforming probation foster care.

Chief Ferriera has been employed with the Stanislaus County Probation Department since August of 1999. He began his career as a Group Supervisor I assigned to Juvenile Hall before his promotion to the position of Deputy Probation Officer I in April of 2002. Chief Ferriera has been assigned to a variety of assignments throughout his career. Those assignments include being assigned to field services, the Day Reporting Center, the Superior Courts, and the Community Corrections Partnership.

Christy Henzi is a Deputy Chief Probation Officer with the Alameda County Probation Department, bringing nearly three decades of experience in probation, parole, and justice system leadership across multiple California jurisdictions. She has extensive expertise supervising high-risk populations, implementing statewide realignment initiatives, and developing policy, training, and best-practice frameworks. Throughout her career, Ms.

The Honorable Stephanie E. Hulsey is a judge for the Superior Court of California, County of Monterey. She has served as a Monterey Superior Court judge since 2014. Judge Hulsey currently presides in Department 1 and assignment includes Prison Cases, Parole Petitions & Post Release Community, Supervision (PRCS), SVP & MDO, Criminal Writ Department, Felony Arraignments, and Civil Grand Jury Advisor.

Chris is a seasoned veteran with over two decades of dedicated service in the criminal justice sector, working in positions including equivant SCP COO, Customer Success Manager, Implementation Lead and previously as a practitioner in the field of Community Corrections. She has led numerous cross-divisional projects and large-scale implementations, consulted on best practices and continues to collaborate with agencies across the nation on industry acumen. In her current position as Chief of Business Development Officer, Chris oversees sales and customer success.

Case Kenny is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and one of today’s leading voices on the science of optimism. As Chief Optimist at Optimism.com and author of the upcoming book “The Language of Optimism,” Case has helped millions discover how the words we choose shape the way we think, feel, and act. Drawing on more than two decades of studying the intersection of linguistics, neuroscience, and mindfulness, Case translates cutting-edge research into practical tools that help people become more resilient, optimistic, and confident in the face of change.

Marina Kisseleva-Cercone has worked in the field of Probation Services for over 21 years. I started my career as the Deputy Probation Officer in the Juvenile Division of the Solano County Probation Department and years later, I ended up in the Contra Costa County Probation Department’s Juvenile Placement Unit. Over the years, I have worked in varied assignments across juvenile and adult divisions, promoting to a supervisor, then a manager, and now a director overseeing the Specialty Field Services which includes the Pretrial Unit.

Haunani Pakaki has served as the Program Planning and Evaluation Analyst for Sonoma County’s Juvenile Division since 2020. With degrees in Economics and Law, she brings a systems-focused approach to improving outcomes for youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system. Haunani’s work centers on data-driven programs, interagency collaboration, and strengthening programs that support community safety and youth rehabilitation.

Brian Richart is the President of Nautikos Consulting, a public interest consulting firm in Northern California. Mr. Richart is a retired California Probation Chief with fifteen years experience administering various California probation programs and thirty years of experience in community corrections. Mr. Richart is a retired past president of CPOC, a former member of the Board of State and Community Corrections and former member of the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee to the State Judicial Counsel. During his executive career Mr.

A Supervising Probation Officer with extensive field experience, specializing in investigations, search-warrant operations, and high-risk enforcement activities. He has participated in more than 200 high-risk operations throughout his career. He has served as the case agent for more than 50 residential search-warrant operations. He has also written over 100 search warrants involving social media accounts, cellular phones and digital data, financial records, and residential locations.

Tom Westfall is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience in software companies specializing in Community Supervision Case Management Systems. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in designing, architecting, and developing multiple market-leading solutions on a national scale. Tom’s expertise spans both the technological and business aspects of the supervision market, rooted in his deep understanding of end-user needs and business processes.