Juvenile Law Center Welcomes Three New Board Members and a New Zubrow Fellow

Katy Otto,

New board members Shaena Fazal, Jordan Jean, and Tania Stewart begin their terms; Jennifer Kim named 2026-2028 Sol & Helen Zubrow Fellow in Children’s Law  

Juvenile Law Center welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors – Shaena Fazal, Jordan Jean, and Tania Stewart, bringing valuable skills and expertise to an exceptional group. 

“Juvenile Law Center has been at the forefront of the fight for young people caught up in systems that too often fail them—systems that can either compound trauma or offer a genuine path forward,” said Shaena Fazal, Chief of Advocacy at the Alliance for Safety and Justice and newly appointed board member. “For decades, its litigation, policy, and advocacy work has ensured kids are treated fairly and given the chance to thrive. I’m honored to join the Board and support this storied organization at a moment when protecting vulnerable young people matters more than ever.” 

“Every child has the right to a childhood - one that is joyful, carefree, and allows them to discover and create who they could become in this great big world, said Tania Stewart, a communications specialist and Juvenile Law Center board member. “Too often our systems and policies take away this opportunity, causing irrevocable harm that shames, traumatizes, and seeks to limit their potential. I have long admired the work and impact of Juvenile Law Center, and I am honored to join their Board. There is no greater champion for the rights and dignity of all children.” 

“I am honored to join Juvenile Law Center's team and look forward to supporting its work on behalf of young people, particularly its efforts to ensure that youth have access to justice, opportunity, and the resources they need to thrive,” said new board member Jordan Jean, Investment Funds Associate in the Miami office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. 

The organization celebrated the appointments. 

“We are delighted to welcome Shaena, Jordan, and Tania to the Juvenile Law Center Board of Directors. The Board includes a seasoned group of leaders including industry experts, scholars, and passionate civil rights champions. With Jordan, Shaena, and Tania’s appointment, we add a wealth of experience in youth justice policy transformation, finance, fundraising and strategic communications,” said Judge Andre Davis (Ret.), Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee of Juvenile Law Center’s Board of Directors. 

Additionally, the organization welcomed its newest Sol & Helen Zubrow Fellow in Children’s Law, Jennifer Kim. 

“While challenging civil rights violations in the criminal legal system, I witnessed how my clients suffered damaging, life-changing consequences because the juvenile and criminal legal systems refused to recognize their youth,” said Jennifer Kim, Zubrow Fellow. “Juvenile Law Center has led the movement in establishing children’s rights, and I am honored to join its fight for young people, racial justice, and transformative change.” 

“Jennifer joins a long list of dedicated children’s rights attorneys as our newest Zubrow Fellow,” said Riya Saha Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Juvenile Law Center. “Her experience at both the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the National Prison Project makes her uniquely poised to hit the ground running. We are especially grateful for this team as we embark on a new strategic plan centering youth and families in the fight for those harmed by the juvenile legal and family policing systems.” 

 

About the Expert

Riya Saha Shah is the Chief Executive Officer of Juvenile Law Center. Riya began her career at Juvenile Law Center in 2005 as a Sol and Helen Zubrow Fellow in Children’s Law. Formerly a Senior Managing Director, Riya continues to serve on the organization’s Management Team and is a leader in Juvenile Law Center’s programmatic justice work. Since the beginning of her legal career, Riya has engaged in litigation, policy advocacy, and amicus efforts to reduce the harm of the juvenile and criminal legal system.

Tami D. Benton, MD, is the Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Executive Director and Chair of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a Psychiatrist in the 22Q and You Center at CHOP. Dr. Benton is very interested in children of underserved urban areas. She works with the entire family or support system to improve the lives of children.

Shaena Fazal is a veteran public policy executive with over two decades of experience leading and winning legislative campaigns across more than ten states. She brings a diverse set  of skills to each endeavor, including sophisticated strategy, policy acumen, grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and strategic communications. This combination has earned her a reputation for finding common ground across the political spectrum to advance lasting policy change.

Tania Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic communications experience, leading and developing integrated advocacy campaigns on public health, criminal justice, gender equity, and more. She leads media training for executives, thought leaders, and directly-impacted storytellers, and has secured news coverage in outlets such as CBS Evening News, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, POLITICO, and The Washington Post.

Jordan Jean is an investment funds attorney in the Miami office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where his practice focuses on private investment funds and related transactions. He previously practiced at Latham & Watkins and Venable.

Jordan is a graduate of Howard University and The George Washington University Law School, where he held several student leadership positions. Outside of his legal practice, he has been deeply involved in civic, faith-based, and community leadership, including serving as Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. He is also committed to mentorship and expanding educational and professional opportunities for young people.

Jennifer is the 2026-2028 Sol and Helen Zubrow Fellow at Juvenile Law Center. She works with directly impacted individuals to challenge civil rights violations in the juvenile and criminal legal systems. Prior to joining Juvenile Law Center, Jennifer helped develop a lawsuit alleging the excessive and disproportionate sentencing of youth and the denial of a constitutionally mandated meaningful opportunity for release. She has worked on litigation challenging inhumane conditions of confinement in jails and prisons, including overuse of solitary confinement, excessive force, sexual abuse, gender and disability-based discrimination, denial of essential medical care, and dangerous environmental conditions.