Douglas Keillor

Executive Director

Douglas Keillor is an attorney and internationally recognized juvenile justice expert with more than a decade of experience working to reduce the unnecessary use of youth detention and strengthen justice systems across Latin America.

As Founder and Executive Director of Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Douglas partners with governments, courts, prosecutors, public defenders, police agencies, and civil society organizations to design practical, evidence-based reforms that improve outcomes for children while promoting safer communities.

Douglas has led initiatives in Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the United States, and other countries throughout the region, helping institutions translate international standards into practical policies and everyday practice. His work focuses on strengthening juvenile justice systems, expanding alternatives to detention, improving detention conditions, and ensuring that young people remain connected to their families throughout the justice process.

His expertise has been recognized internationally. He served as Special Assistant to the Chair of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research pretrial detention in Mexico, and contributed to the United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. He regularly speaks at international conferences on juvenile justice, children’s rights, and justice reform.

Douglas holds a Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in International Politics from American University in Washington, D.C.

Sarahi García Martínez

Latin America Director

Sarahi García Martínez is an international juvenile justice expert with nearly a decade of experience leading justice reform initiatives, strengthening public institutions, and advancing children’s rights across Latin America.

As Latin America Director at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Sarahi leads regional efforts to reduce the unnecessary use of youth detention and promote evidence-based alternatives that improve outcomes for young people, families, and communities. She works closely with governments, justice institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to design and implement reforms that strengthen juvenile justice systems and protect children’s rights.

Throughout her career, Sarahi has helped develop innovative tools and public policies that have become national references in Mexico, managed complex international cooperation projects, and advised government officials in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Honduras on implementing child rights standards within justice systems. Her work focuses on institutional strengthening, alternatives to detention, public policy, family engagement, and regional collaboration to build more effective and humane juvenile justice systems.

Beyond her leadership at JJAI, Sarahi has taught international law and public policy at universities in Mexico and served as a guest academic at Northwestern University’s Center for International Human Rights. She has also published on juvenile justice and children’s rights and is a frequent speaker at international conferences, including the World Congress on Justice With Children.

Sarahi holds a Master’s degree in International Law, a diploma in Public Policy, and specialized training in children’s rights from Leiden Law School. She is fluent in Spanish and English.

Grecia Toriz

Engagement and Development Coordinator

Grecia Toriz is a community engagement and development professional dedicated to building meaningful relationships that strengthen support for children, families, and communities.

As Engagement and Development Coordinator at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Grecia helps connect supporters, partners, and donors with the organization’s mission through strategic outreach, storytelling, and community engagement. Her work supports initiatives that inspire people to invest in opportunities that improve the lives of young people and strengthen juvenile justice systems.

Before joining JJAI, Grecia worked with nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, supporting family engagement, donor outreach, and community-based initiatives serving Latino communities. Her experience includes coordinating educational events, cultivating community partnerships, creating digital storytelling campaigns, and connecting families with critical resources.

Grecia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Augsburg University. She is passionate about creating authentic connections that turn compassion into lasting impact.

Laura Marcía

Honduras Project Coordinator

Laura Marcía is an attorney and juvenile justice specialist with more than 15 years of experience strengthening justice institutions, protecting children’s rights, and supporting vulnerable populations in Honduras.

As Honduras Project Coordinator at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Laura leads the organization’s work in Honduras, coordinating programs that strengthen family engagement, improve conditions in youth detention centers, and expand alternatives to detention. She works closely with government institutions, community organizations, justice professionals, and families to turn evidence-based reforms into meaningful change for young people.

Before joining JJAI, Laura served as a prosecutor with the Honduran Public Ministry, where she gained extensive experience in criminal law, human rights, and monitoring conditions in detention facilities, including juvenile centers. She later led programs focused on juvenile justice, restorative justice, violence prevention, migration, and institutional strengthening through partnerships with organizations such as USAID and World Vision.

Throughout her career, Laura has worked across the public sector, civil society organizations, and international cooperation programs to improve access to justice and promote better outcomes for children, adolescents, and their families.

Laura is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Criminal Psychology and holds graduate degrees in International Human Rights Law.

Nathalia Bou

Puerto Rico Project Coordinator

Nathalia Bou is an attorney and juvenile justice professional committed to advancing children’s rights, strengthening access to justice, and promoting evidence-based reforms that improve outcomes for young people and their families.

As Puerto Rico Project Coordinator at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Nathalia leads the organization’s work in Puerto Rico, supporting initiatives that strengthen juvenile justice systems, expand alternatives to detention, and promote family engagement and community-based approaches. She works closely with government agencies, justice professionals, community organizations, and young people to advance practical reforms that protect rights and create opportunities for positive development.

Before joining JJAI, Nathalia gained extensive experience in criminal law, legal advocacy, and public interest work through legal clinics, nonprofit initiatives, and private practice. Her work has included legal research, policy analysis, litigation support, and direct engagement with individuals navigating the justice system. She has also played leadership roles in youth rights advocacy initiatives and legal education programs focused on children and adolescents.

Nathalia earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, where she concentrated her studies on criminal law, juvenile justice, criminology, and access to justice. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico.

Jason Szanyi

U.S. Detention Project Consultant

Jason Szanyi is one of the nation’s leading experts on juvenile detention reform, conditions of confinement, and youth justice system transformation.

As U.S. Detention Project Consultant at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Jason supports efforts to improve conditions in youth detention facilities and strengthen systems that are safer, more effective, and centered on the strengths and potential of young people.

For more than 15 years, Jason has partnered with governments, courts, community organizations, and justice agencies across the United States to redesign youth justice systems through policy analysis, system assessments, stakeholder engagement, and practical implementation strategies. His work has helped improve outcomes for young people, families, and communities.

Before joining JJAI, Jason served in multiple leadership roles at the Center for Children’s Law and Policy, where he led national initiatives to improve detention conditions, expand alternatives to incarceration, eliminate solitary confinement for children, and reduce racial disparities throughout the youth legal system. He has conducted assessments of juvenile facilities across the country, advised state and local governments on system reform, and testified before legislative bodies and the U.S. Department of Justice on best practices for protecting young people in custody.

Jason is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor magna cum laude, and Northwestern University. He is a frequent lecturer, published author, and nationally recognized advocate committed to building youth justice systems that create opportunities for every young person to succeed.

Beth Oprisch

U.S. Detention Project Consultant

Beth Oprisch is a nationally recognized expert in juvenile detention reform, facility assessment, and safe, developmentally appropriate conditions for young people in custody.

As U.S. Detention Project Consultant at Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Beth supports facility assessments and helps agencies use data-driven tools to improve conditions of confinement, strengthen facility practices, and promote better outcomes for young people.

For more than two decades, Beth has partnered with juvenile justice agencies across the United States to improve detention practices, strengthen facility operations, and help jurisdictions create safer and more effective environments for youth. Her work focuses on translating evidence-based standards into practical improvements that enhance safety, accountability, and youth development.

As a longtime leader within the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), Beth served as Ohio’s statewide coordinator and was selected as a national trainer, helping justice professionals across the country implement best practices in juvenile detention reform. Throughout her career, she has provided technical assistance, conducted facility assessments, and trained multidisciplinary teams on detention operations, youth development, and system improvement.

Beth is passionate about ensuring that every young person is treated with dignity, that detention facilities support positive development, and that justice systems create opportunities for rehabilitation rather than simply confinement.

Daniela Jiménez

Social Media and Communications Specialist

Daniela Jiménez is a communications and digital marketing specialist with more than seven years of experience helping public institutions and nonprofit organizations communicate complex issues in ways that promote understanding, engagement, and action.

At Juvenile Justice Advocates International (JJAI), Daniela leads the organization’s digital communications efforts, transforming research, fieldwork, and advocacy initiatives into compelling stories that connect global audiences with the realities of youth justice. Her work helps amplify the voices of young people, families, and justice professionals while building support for more humane, effective, and youth-centered justice reform.

Before joining JJAI, Daniela led communications and marketing initiatives for public institutions in Ecuador, where she managed national awareness campaigns, communication strategies, media relations, and digital communications projects. She also collaborated as a Content Creator with ReFocus Media Labs, an international nonprofit organization based in Athens that empowers refugees and asylum seekers to share their own stories through journalism and visual storytelling.

Daniela holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Consumer Behavior from the University of Granada (Spain), a Specialization in Communication from Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Universidad Internacional del Ecuador.