Caitlin Dawkins

Caitlin Dawkins is a widely recognized leader in the American criminal legal system, distinguished by her innovative work at the intersection of justice, workforce development, and education. With more than two decades of experience developing evidence-informed solutions, she turns research into measurable action.

In her role at AIR, Dawkins provides strategic leadership for investments that strengthen public safety and advance justice through directing complex projects supported by federal, state, and local government agencies as well as philanthropic partners. Her portfolio encompasses reentry, opioid settlement strategies, workforce development, entrepreneurship, reentry technology and artificial intelligence, and community-led, place-based initiatives. Across this work, she has helped advance innovative and understudied approaches to reentry, contributing to the development of a more expansive evidence base.

Dawkins broadens the impact of her work by translating research and practice into actionable insights through keynote and conference presentations, national partnerships and movement-building efforts, board service, and membership in the National Reentry Workforce Collaborative. Before joining AIR, she served as the director of Justice Programs at FHI 360, guiding on the strategy, growth, and impact of its justice portfolio.