On September 1, 2025, Justice Speakers Institute (JSI) proudly marked 10 years of service, leadership, and innovation in justice reform around the world. What began in 2015 as a vision shared by a few justice system leaders has grown into a globally respected training, consulting, and education organization serving judges, court professionals, and policymakers in more than a dozen countries.
Founded by Judge Peggy Fulton Hora (Ret.), David Wallace, and Judge Brian MacKenzie (Ret.), JSI was built on a simple truth: justice can be more effective, by being grounded in science and human dignity. Over the past decade, JSI has delivered hundreds of trainings, influenced state and national policies, produced the Science Bench Book for Judges along with groundbreaking position papers, and launched the Justice Speaks podcast, which has now reached listeners in over 90 countries.
Global Training, Real-World Impact
In its first 10 years, JSI has expanded from a handful of speaking engagements to a trusted global resource in justice system training. JSI experts have delivered programs in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, South Africa, the Netherlands, and more.
Our training programs and consulting address real courtroom challenges with practical, evidence-based solutions. Core focus areas include:
- Problem-solving courts and judicial leadership;
- Evidence-based practices in criminal justice;
- Substance use dependency and the science on how to respond to it, and MOUD implementation;
- Ethical decision-making and professional practice standards;
- AI, technology, and the future of courts;
- Community engagement and procedural fairness; and,
- Traffic Safety.
Read More HERE
Carrying Forward the Legacy of Judge Peggy Hora
Judge Peggy Fulton Hora—a visionary in international judicial education and a pioneer of therapeutic jurisprudence—helped define JSI’s mission and character. Her decades of work promoting problem-solving courts and judicial excellence helped transform court systems worldwide.
Her commitment to advancing justice lives on through JSI’s work and the thousands of professionals she inspired. Though Judge Hora passed away in 2020, her leadership, integrity, and insistence on quality continue to guide our mission.
"Peggy believed fiercely in the power of courts to change lives—not just cases," said Brian MacKenzie, JSI Co-President. "Her passion for education, evidence-based practice, and human dignity shaped everything JSI stands for. Her voice is still with us in every training, every conversation, every effort to improve justice systems."
Read more about Judge Hora HERE.
Chief Mack Jenkins (Ret.), Vice President of Community Supervision
As the Justice Speakers Institute (JSI) celebrates ten years of advancing evidence-based justice, I am reminded of how far JSI has come, and the opportunities that lie ahead. When I first joined JSI, working on the Virginia Veterans Treatment Docket curriculum project, I was drawn to its mission because it reflected the same principles that have guided my career: integrity, fairness, and the belief that the justice system could change lives. The work with JSI was also quite simply, fun.
After more than four decades in public service, including my time as Chief Probation Officer for San Diego County, I have learned that enhancing public safety requires a combination of accountability and effective interventions designed to address the behavioral health issues of the justice involved. The justice system, using a collaborative effort of the stakeholders and the community, can help people overcome their deficits and provide the support they need to succeed. That’s what effective community supervision is about; accountability balanced with treatment, and structure grounded in compassionate care.
Read More HERE.
Chief Cynthia Herriott (Ret.), Vice President of Law Enforcement
At the heart of the Justice Speakers Institute’s 10-year journey is a commitment to learning, leadership, and lasting impact. As JSI moves into its next decade, few voices better represent its growth and evolution than Cynthia Herriott, Vice President of Law Enforcement.
A former Police Chief, criminal justice strategist, and sought-after national trainer, Herriott brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement leadership to JSI. Her work bridges community engagement, officer wellness, procedural justice, and organizational leadership, creating meaningful strategies to strengthen trust and improve public safety.
Read More HERE
Ten Defining Milestones in JSI's First Decade
JSI is Founded
Left to Right: David Wallace, Judge Peggy Hora (Ret.), and Judge Brian MacKenzie (Rert.)
Justice Speakers Institute Today
Left to Right: David Wallace, Chief Mack Jenkins (Ret.), Judge Brian MacKenzie (Rert.), and Chief Cynthia Herriott. (Ret.)
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