Mackenzie Kushner

Mackenzie Kushner joined CJI in March 2023 and works primarily on CJI’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) projects to support the formation and implementation of evidence-based reforms. Formerly, Mackenzie worked as a research analyst in Consumer Insights for Universal Destinations & Experiences where she wrote surveys and conducted advanced statistical analyses to enhance data-driven decision making in the corporate sphere. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Justice Quarterly, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and the American Journal of Criminal Justice. She is committed to applying her skills and passion for evidence-based justice reform to strengthen criminal and juvenile justice systems in local communities across the U.S. Mackenzie received her M.S. in Criminology & Justice Policy from Northeastern University in 2019 and her Ph.D. in Criminology & Law from the University of Florida in December 2022, where she focused on childhood victimization, adverse childhood experiences, and justice policy.