About
Kristy Pierce Danford, Founder
From Kristy: I serve as a senior advisor helping to transform justice systems through data-guided strategies and cross-sector collaboration.
My journey has allowed me to guide local, state, and national justice organizations toward measurable improvements. I've built and led successful teams; advised governments, non-profits, community collaboratives, and foundations; pioneered data and reporting systems; trained practitioners; secured grants, and written publications.
Along the way, I've learned a thing or two about seamlessly integrating objective analysis with strategic vision, practical implementation, and thoughtful community engagement.
Kristy's Bio
With over 25 years in the criminal justice field, Kristy Danford is a senior advisor who combines strategic insight with practical expertise to strengthen safety, justice, and fairness. She specializes in Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils (CJCCs) and evidence-based practices.
Leadership & Innovation
As founding director of Charleston County's CJCC, Kristy led diverse executives and community stakeholders to reduce unnecessary jail use, address inequities, and transform the local justice system through:
Building a sustainable CJCC infrastructure with 26 positional members, 12 community representatives, and 10 staff
Pioneering an innovative central database merging 15 data sources to produce system analytics and guide system improvements
Publishing nine comprehensive reports analyzing system trends, intervention progress and challenges, and racial/ethnic disparities
Enhancing transparency and accountability through data-driven strategies, stakeholder engagement, and multi-faceted communications
Mobilizing over 1,200 citizens in setting community priorities for justice system improvement
At the Crime and Justice Institute, Kristy advanced evidence-based reforms nationwide by:
Developing and implementing field guides, resources, and training curricula for practitioners
Organizing system stakeholder collaboratives and facilitating strategic convenings
Advising government leaders through passage of landmark reforms in Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and South Carolina
As Program Manager with Connecticut Judicial Branch's Court Support Services Division, Kristy helped align operational practices with evidence-based strategies, pioneered a performance measurement system for a $60 million provider network, and managed longitudinal research.
Kristy began as a Probation and Parole Agent in South Carolina, supervising caseloads and enforcing sentencing conditions.
National Impact
Early Career Foundations
Education & More
A TEDx speaker and advocate for high-functioning CJCCs, Kristy serves on multiple boards. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the College of Charleston and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Charleston Southern University where she played on the women's soccer team. Beyond her professional passion, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also appreciates cooking, sports, being outdoors, boating, hiking, and watching the sun rise and set in the low country.
Current Work
As the founder of KPD Technical Assistance, Kristy continues to advance improvement in criminal justice systems through:
Contributing to the development and dissemination of National Standards for Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils
Assisting counties to grow and strengthen their CJCCs
Co-leading a Network of CJCCs in South Carolina
Serving as Co-chair of the inaugural State of South Carolina Criminal Justice System Conference
Curating content and managing faculty for the 2023 Safety + Justice Challenge All-Sites Meeting
Continuing to provide publications, speaking engagements, and offering testimony on proposed legislative reforms
Values
Committed
Find out more about how we work and what's behind our drive to help criminal justice systems do more good than harm
Honest & Trustworthy
We do this work because it is what we love to do. It’s that simple.
Unabashedly Collaborative
When we make a commitment, we follow through. We say what we mean and do what we say.
Respectful & Empathetic
We treat others with respect and dignity. We value others and seek to learn from their perspectives.
Data-Guided & Research Informed
We use data and research to objectively understand trends, progress, and challenges. It informs our decisions and guides course corrections.
Practical & Reasonable
Improving safety, justice, and fairness is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience and persistence are embedded in our DNA.
Patient & Persistent
We seek common ground and realistic solutions. Individuals closest to the issues are usually best suited to explain the challenges and inform workable solutions.
Improving the justice system is never the job of one person, it is always a collaborative endeavor. When thoughtful people come together to work on shared problems and solutions, good things happen.
Deliberately Pragmatic
Improving safety, justice, and fairness requires focus. We value clear goals, intentional efforts, accountability, and transparency.
Empowering
We work to develop capacity and empower clients to keep improving their systems long after our services end.
Some of Our Current & Past Partners
