Meet the Staff

Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.)
Executive DirectorExecutive Director Lieutenant Diane Goldstein (Ret.) is a 21-year law enforcement veteran of the Redondo Beach (CA) Police Department; she retired as their first female lieutenant in 2004, having worked in investigations, crisis negotiation, gang enforcement and special investigations, community relations, and community policing. Lt. Goldstein serves as the face of the organization, directing LEAP's vision, interacting with major funders, serving as the link between LEAP's staff and Board of Directors, and representing the organization in the media and to the general public. Lt. Goldstein has been an official representative of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership since 2010, serving on the Board of Directors from 2014 - 2020, and as Board Chair from 2018 - 2020. She joined the staff as Executive Director in 2020. View full bio

Darby Beck
Chief Operating OfficerDarby oversees the Law Enforcement Action Partnership's day-to-day operations, making decisions regarding administrative business, strategic planning, and partnerships. She holds an M.A. in Political Science with fields in Public Law, American Politics and Political Communication from the University of Washington and two B.A.s, in History and Political Science, from Trinity University. While at the UW, she studied criminal justice and TA’d a number of classes focusing on the political, social and legal implications of the War on Drugs, and her thesis examined media framing of a harm reduction model. Darby has interned for federal judge Orlando Garcia, as well as working in communications and research for a political nonprofit.

Kristin Daley
Director of Development & CommunicationsKristin leads development of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership’s fundraising and grant writing initiatives, action campaigns, public communications, and web strategy and design. She holds a degree in Communications and Media Production from Northeastern University and worked at a Boston-based newspaper before joining LEAP in 2007. Outside of her work with LEAP, Kristin serves as a Nationally Certified Crisis Responder for RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline and in 2020, was elected to serve as Liaison between NSAH crisis responders and RAINN management. She is a Credentialed Victim Advocate, with a specialty in sexual assault, through the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA), and independently consults with organizations, practitioners, and survivors. In 2022, Kristin was appointed to the Peace Corps Sexual Assault Advisory Council as a national subject matter expert, advising Peace Corps on their Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program.

Amos Irwin
Program DirectorProgram Director Amos Irwin manages the recruitment and training of Law Enforcement Action Partnership speakers (to inquire about become a speaker, contact Speakers@LawEnforcementAction.org) , as well as collaboration with LEAP’s ally organizations. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff at the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation. Amos has taught courses on the criminal justice system at the Northeastern University Foundation Year program and the Tufts University Osher Center. He has also published cost-benefit evaluations of supervised injection facilities in the Harm Reduction Journal and Journal of Drug Issues. Amos has a Master’s degree from the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. He speaks Spanish, Chinese, French, and German.

Denis McLaughlin
Media Relations DirectorDenis McLaughlin is the Media Relations Director for the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP). After graduating from Georgetown University with a BSFS in Foreign Policy, Denis began working in the political sector, first on the campaign trail and subsequently on Capitol Hill.
Prior to working with LEAP, Denis led statewide communications and advocacy efforts for the Florida state “table,” an organization dedicated to providing infrastructure for civic engagement nonprofits from the Panhandle to the Keys.

Monica Westfall
Development AssociateMonica is LEAP's Development Associate, supporting the Director of Development and Communications with research, structure, and maintenance of the donor database, prospective funding, grant calendar, and development writing, including grants and appeals. She also helps with training and recruitment efforts. Monica holds a degree in IT Management from American Military University. Prior to joining LEAP, she worked for the Virginia State Police as the executive secretary supporting the Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Interdiction Unit, including Asset Forfeiture, Marijuana Eradication and Drug Diversion. She also worked in the training academy, and the department of human resources for the VSP. Outside of work, Monica enjoys spending time with her three adult children.

Esi Mathis
Program ManagerEsi Mathis, LEAP's Program Manager, is a social justice advocate who is deeply concerned about individuals and families impacted by mass incarceration. Her advocacy is fueled by trauma-induced experiences of several family members. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is currently enrolled as a PhD student in the Leadership and Change program at Antioch University. Her foreign travels include London, Israel, India, Ghana and Zambia.

Lionel King
Program SpecialistLionel King is an ethnographer, author, and researcher. He holds a PhD in Intercultural Relations. His research centers on the use of religious/cultural practices in mental health treatment. Lionel is a New Orleans native and a proud husband and father.

Lisa Tennenbaum
Program SpecialistLisa Tennenbaum is LEAP's Program Specialist, joining after almost a decade in municipal law, providing in-house counsel to a county and city in California. She has a passion for making local government better and more easily accessible to those it serves. After a lifetime of being raised in and around police work, with both her parents in law enforcement, she looks forward to working in advocacy. She has a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and a JD from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Allison Check
Media Relations AssistantAlly is the Media Relations Assistant for LEAP. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from DePaul University. She is experienced with political campaigns and strategic communications. Prior to joining LEAP, Ally did communications work for the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington, DC.

Mariama Taifa-Seitu
Program AssistantMariama is the Program Assistant for LEAP. She has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University and a Master’s degree in international affairs from The New School University. Prior to joining LEAP, Mariama worked as an editor and writer for the U.S. Department of Defense and was a research consultant with advocacy groups on criminal justice reform and reparatory justice initiatives. She is a photographer, digital artist, and avid global traveler.