Shaena Fazal was appointed as YAP's National Policy Director in January. Shaena will work with YAP and national leaders on policy issues that affect YAP youth and families, collaborate with the youth advocacy community and advocate to redirect resources from ineffective and costly institutions back to communities. Prior to her role as National Policy Director, Shaena provided development and legal assistance to YAP's Chicago programs. Shaena has practiced law for 12 years and was formerly a public defender, director of a non-profit program focused on prisoners' rights and a staffer to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. She lives in Washington, DC.