Nancy Michaels

Nancy Michaels is a dynamic leader and advocate for social justice with deep expertise in restorative justice, community engagement, and program development. As Co-Executive Director of Reimagine Justice Illinois, she leads initiatives, consultations, program evaluation and trainings that advance restorative justice principles across communities, organizations, and systems throughout Illinois.

Previously, Nancy served as Co-Executive Director of Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice, where she spearheaded statewide efforts to sustain restorative practices. She also served as Associate Director of the Mansfield Institute for Social Justice and Transformation at Roosevelt University, where she developed comprehensive social justice programming, expanded community-academic collaborations, and advanced action-based research on restorative justice, race, culture, and gender equity. Her advocacy extended to legislative reform, addressing systemic inequalities and punitive policies that disproportionately impact youth and adults.

Nancy’s leadership in juvenile justice reform has had lasting impact. She played a key role in designing and implementing restorative justice programs in schools that reduced suspensions and fostered positive school climates. She was also instrumental in planning and launching the first Restorative Justice Community Court in North Lawndale, later serving as its Court Coordinator.

Nancy holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Justice from Roosevelt University.