OUR TEAM
Jess Mullen - Chief Executive
Email: jess.mullen@ayj.org.uk
Jess is the Chief Executive at the AYJ, working with the board to set our strategy and leading the AYJs work to drive positive change in youth justice and towards being a more diverse, engaging, sustainable and effective organisation Jess has 20 years experience working in the voluntary sector to challenge systemic injustice by supporting and empowering people who are marginalised or discriminated against to make their voices heard and to advocate for their needs. She was previously CEO at Collective Voice, the alliance of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery charities. Prior to that she was Director of Influence and Communications at Clinks the national charity for voluntary sector organisations working in criminal justice. At Clinks she led influencing activity to promote the role of the voluntary sector in criminal justice, to tackle racism and discrimination in the justice system including youth justice, and to highlight the impact of probation reforms on the voluntary sector.
Lisa Dhanjal - Interim policy manager
Email: lisa.dhanjal@ayj.org.uk
Lisa Dhanjal is interim policy manager at the Alliance for Youth Justice, leading the organisation’s policy and influencing work to drive ambitious reform across the youth justice system working closely with AYJ members. Lisa has held senior roles at Barnardo’s, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the British Academy. She brings knowledge and expertise in children’s rights, social care and justice, safeguarding and participation. Throughout her career, Lisa has championed approaches that place children and young people’s rights, voices and lived experience at the heart of decision-making and systems reform.