Nominees

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

SEAT 1

AMY L. AST (OH)

CANDIDATE PROFILE

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

JUVENILE

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Amy L. Ast is the Director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services and a respected leader in juvenile justice with more than 30 years of experience in youth services, including 25 years with DYS. She oversees Ohio’s juvenile justice system, providing prevention, intervention, and habilitative services for justice-involved youth across the state. Throughout her career, Ast has demonstrated a strong commitment to evidence-based practices, organizational improvement, and positive youth outcomes. She established the Best Practices Institute within DYS, helped lead significant juvenile justice reforms, and successfully guided the agency through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experience also includes consulting for the U.S. Department of Justice and leadership roles in the private sector. Ast is actively involved in numerous state and national organizations focused on juvenile justice and corrections, including the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators, the American Correctional Association, and the Association of Women Executives in Corrections. She has also co-authored articles for Corrections Today and is recognized for her contributions to advancing juvenile justice policy and practice. She holds a Master’s degree in Management from Ohio Dominican University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Ohio University.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE

Director, Ohio Department of Youth Services 30+ Years in Juvenile Justice Leadership

Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Association of Women Executives in Corrections Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Children and Families

Evidence-Based Practices & Recidivism Reduction Juvenile Justice Reform & Organizational Leadership Crisis Management & Systemwide Operational Oversight Policy Development & Best Practices Innovation

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