Meet the Staff
Major Neill Franklin (Ret.)
Executive DirectorMajor Neill Franklin (Ret.) is a 34-year veteran of both the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore Police Department who oversaw 17 separate drug task forces. He has served as an official representative of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (formerly Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) since 2007, and as Executive Director since 2010. He currently represents the Law Enforcement Action Partnership as the public face of the organization, interacting with the media, key partners, and the general public. Additionally, Neill guides the organization's mission, and serves as both an Executive Board member and a speaker. Click here for Major Franklin's 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 the ACLU and for federal judge Orlando Garcia, as well as working in communications and research for a Bay Area 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 holds volunteer positions with several nonprofit organizations focusing on women's rights issues and sexual assault crisis intervention.
Mikayla Hellwich
Speakers Bureau & Media Relations DirectorMikayla schedules speaking appearances, including interviews and other media appearances, monitors and tracks the Law Enforcement Action Partnership's media influence, manages social media, and helps publish speakers' op-eds and letters to the editor. She also assists with public communication strategy and administration. Mikayla has a B.S. in Plant Sciences from the University of Maryland in College Park, where she was a chapter leader and organizer with Students for Sensible Drug Policy for three years.
Amos Irwin
Program DirectorProgram Director Amos Irwin manages the recruitment and training of Law Enforcement Action Partnership speakers, 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.
Antoinette O'Neil
Director of Human Resources & Financial AdministrationAntoinette maintains the Law Enforcement Action Partnership's human resources policies, database and events calendar, manages bookkeeping, and membership correspondence. She also manages purchasing and receiving and general office operations. Antoinette holds a degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of New York, and managed the bake shop in the world-renowned Boston Convention Center prior to joining the Law Enforcement Action Partnership.
Roshun Shah
Speakers Bureau Outreach CoordinatorRoshun interned at the Law Enforcement Action Partnership for close to year before coming on board as the Speakers Bureau Outreach Coordinator. Roshun works closely with our speakers, and his main responsibilities include engaging with civic, student, and political groups in an effort to raise awareness about drug prohibition. Roshun has a background in human rights and interned/volunteered with a number of non-profit and student groups. His past experiences inform his views about drug prohibition and he firmly believes that people should not be sent to jail for what are often victimless crimes.
Steve Silverman
Program AssociateSteve is a Program Associate providing general support for the program and media relations departments, including training and recruiting new speakers, and helping to expand LEAP’s message through the media. He also assists with projects in the development department, including speaker training, grant writing, and research. Previously, he was the Chief Content Officer of Flex Your Rights, an organization he founded to educate people about their rights during police encounters. Steve has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife and two cats.
Monica Westfall
Program AssociateMonica is a Program Associate supporting the Director of Development and Communications with research and maintenance of the donor database, grant calendar, and development writing, including grants and appeals. She also helps with training and recruitment and media relations. 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.