Kristen Staley, Executive Director of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC)  will discuss the current state of Michigan’s public defense system, highlighting successes and pathways for growth, especially focusing on the need to improve youth defense services statewide. Ms. Staley supports 19 appointed commissioners and leads a dedicated team responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing statewide standards on the delivery of public defense services. She has a decades-long background in public policy development, advocacy, and technical assistance focused specifically on youth and adult justice initiatives at the federal, state and local systems.