CCE Interns Through The Years

This Giving Tuesday, CCE is raising funds to support our 2025 internship program.

Throughout this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign, we introduced some of CCE’s amazing interns from years past and present. However, we had more responses than our email campaign would allow us to highlight, so we’ve gathered them together to share here. Former and current CCE interns share with us the positive impacts their CCE internship experience made on their lives and ways it enhanced their perspectives – and you’ll see why we’re so impressed by them!

Donate to our campaign HERE.

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Aayushma Bastola

College/University: University of Virginia, Frank Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership

CCE Internship: Fall 2023

Current job: Policy and Education Associate at the Council for Court Excellence; “I went from intern to fellow to full-time employee, all at CCE!”

“For folks interested in pursuing careers in law or policy, this internship provides great exposure to topics related to D.C. criminal legal reform and an impressive network of lawyers, judges, advocates, organizers, politicians, and more. Also, the CCE internship is important to support simply because interns deserve to be paid more! Internships are a vital place to learn as a young professional and should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. Please support the CCE internship program so we can promote equity within our organization and in our projects.”

Katharine Cusick, Esq.

College/University: George Washington University Law School

CCE Internship: Summer 2021, Criminal & Civil Justice

Current Job: General Litigation Associate, Blank Rome LLP

“I learned so much about the criminal and civil legal systems in D.C., specifically how D.C.’s non-state status hinders progress in justice reform efforts but also how local groups like CCE and their partners are working within this flawed system to advocate for change.”

Isadora Evers

College/University: Trinity College Dublin & Columbia University Dual Degree Program

CCE Internship: Summer 2024, Justice Education

Current Job: While attending college, she spent a month after her CCE internship in Gambia working with the Gunjur Conservationist and Ecotourism Association (CETAG) on environmental, social, and health initiatives.

“The small size of the office at CCE fosters an incredible sense of community. As a freshman college intern, I felt like I was treated as an equal contributor alongside my more experienced and educated co-workers. This supportive community taught me the value of all kinds of work – from the tediously tiny to the big picture –and how in order to help others, you must first value yourself.”

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Carolyn Flammini

College/University: American University

CCE Internship: Fall 2024

Current job: Graduate student at American University, pursuing a Master's in Public Administration, with a concentration in Justice, Law, and Criminology

“[M]y CCE internship has given me a greater knowledge of policy issues that create unequal opportunities for communities I have not worked closely with, such as juveniles and incarcerated persons.”

Kirsten Flicker, Esq.

College/University: New York University / Fordham University School of Law

CCE Internship: Spring 2016, Criminal Justice & Justice Education

Current Job: Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

“The most meaningful part of my internship at CCE was when we went to a school to teach students about the criminal justice system. Much of the important work that nonprofits such as CCE perform is done from behind a desk[. . .] but interacting with the community CCE supports made me realize how important all that work really is for the D.C. community.”

Idhika Kaudap

College/University: University of California, Riverside (UCR)

CCE Internship: Summer 2023, Criminal Justice, with a particular emphasis on jail reform projects aiming at enhancing treatment and rehabilitation options for jailed people.

Current job: Third-year student at UCR studying in political science

“The CCE internship program provides a unique opportunity for aspiring changemakers to immerse themselves in the practicalities of justice reform. It combines academic learning with real-world experience, allowing interns to participate in significant policy work and community impact. Supporting this program means investing in future leaders who are committed to building more fair and effective justice systems.”

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Tucker Kelleher-Brozost

College/University: Colorado College / American University Washington College of Law

CCE Internship: 2017, Criminal Justice & Justice Education

Current Job: Attorney Advisor, Federal Labor Relations Authority

“My internship with CCE provided me with valuable insight into the myriad struggles that average people—victims and offenders—go through when they encounter the criminal justice system. To empathetically improve our justice system, I think a lot more people should have these kinds of eye-opening experiences.”

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Julio Lainez

College/University: George Mason University

CCE Internship: Fall 2002, Public Service Committee

Current Job: Vice President, NVG, LLC, an impact-driven government relations firm

“[When] students have a positive experience within the justice system, [they] learn to appreciate the importance of our democratic institutions. I learned the value of doing things for the right reasons – and also ensuring that I always brought the camera to take pics at School Jury [Education]Project events!”

Tiauna N. Mathieu, Esq.

College/University: Hampton University / Georgetown University Law Center

CCE Internship: Summer 2017, Criminal Justice

Current job: Associate, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; practice involves litigating white collar criminal cases and investigating allegations of corruption on behalf of global corporations.

“One of my main projects at CCE involved drafting a strategic plan to improve the process for D.C. residents returning home post-incarceration. Completing the project required me to (i) conduct extensive research into criminal legal processes in D.C. and other jurisdictions and (ii) participate in interviews of relevant stakeholders, such as city councilmen. Those two skills—researching and interviewing—are two of the primary functions I perform as an attorney today. CCE introduced me to the intersection of those skills, which I later honed as a student attorney in Georgetown’s Criminal Justice Clinic and continue to refine as a practicing white collar criminal defense attorney.”

Destiny Rose Murphy, Esq.

College/University: Southern Methodist University / Georgetown University Law Center, then Yale Law School

CCE Internship: Summer 2020, Criminal Justice, Estate Administration

Current Job: Associate, Quinn Emanuel with a practice focused on criminal defense, internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation

“As a young law student coming from a family with no lawyers in it, I was very curious about the overlap of legal work and policy work, and I knew I needed to try it out to learn what was going to be best for my future. My CCE internship helped me understand what a potential career in policy would look like!”

Chandler Nutall

College/University: Spelman College

CCE Internship: Summer 2022

Current Job: Program Assistant, Volcker Alliance, supporting the organization's public service education initiatives and communications

“CCE's internship program not only provides young professionals with hands-on experience in justice reform, but it also cultivates the next generation of leaders who are passionate about creating systemic change. Interns gain a holistic view of the complex challenges within the D.C. justice system and develop practical skills in advocacy, research, and stakeholder engagement. Supporting this program is an investment in building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce dedicated to creating a more equitable justice system in Washington, D.C.”

Koki Ogawa

College/University: Princeton University

CCE Internship: Summer 2023, Criminal & Civil Justice

Current Job: While attending Princeton full-time, she’s currently interning part-time at the ACLU-NJ.

“The patterns and pervasiveness of domestic violence that I identified during the D.C. Auditor's Crossover Youth audit influenced my professional trajectory and is a large part of why I now hope to legally advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence who are involved in the criminal legal system.”

Iesha C. Pearson

College/University: The Ohio State University

CCE Internship: Summer 2017, Criminal Justice, specifically projects related to solitary confinement and The Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA)

“Unlike many other internships where you might simply run errands or fetch coffee for your supervisor, CCE allows you to feel like a genuine member of the team. This hands-on experience is crucial for undergraduates, as it provides valuable real-world skills in a professional setting.”

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Erica Rasmussen

College/University: George Washington University

CCE Internship: Spring 2015, Criminal Justice

Current Job: Senior Product Manager, Zillow Rentals

“I conducted interviews with formerly incarcerated people who recently reentered society. We heard about their challenges and successes in finding work and generally reintegrating. I enjoyed getting a chance to work with the community and hear the voices of formerly incarcerated people.”

Arianah Rizzo

College/University: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

CCE Internship: Fall 2023, Civil Justice

Current job: Completing the New York City Urban Fellowship, a nine-month fellowship program that explores current urban issues. For the next nine months, she is placed at the Department of Transportation, Commissioner’s Office/Strategy Unit, supporting the development of a transportation equity summit.

“I am grateful to have been welcomed to such an amazing and supportive environment where I grew both professionally and academically. With your generosity, CCE’s internship program[can] continue being a fruitful experience for young professionals who share the values of working towards a better justice system and who in turn will positively impact communities.”

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Rachel Rood-Ojalvo

College/University: Brown University

CCE Internship: Summer 2017, Criminal Justice

Current job: J.D. Candidate at UC Berkeley School of Law

“In addition to caring deeply about anti-carceral work, I became interested in the intersection of the criminal legal and immigration systems. After college, I spent a few years working in Mexico City to build Spanish language fluency, so that I can bring language skills to my work in the crimmigration field -- work such as canceling ICE detainer requests and doing deportation defense.”

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