Nicole Arzola is an Associate with Justice System Partners with close to 10 years working in the criminal justice and legal systems. Nicole is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a background in public administration, policy analysis and project management. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration on Public Policy Analysis and specialization in Management and Operations and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor is Psychology from Pace University. 

Before joining JSP, Nicole was a Management Analyst with MDRC, where she contributed to a span of policy research and operational work. Her work included co-leading the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team and to the contribution and creation of MDRC’s first Council for Lived Experts Advisory Board (CLEA). Nicole’s work with the CLEA focused on how to highlight the voices of lived experts in criminal justice policy research. 

Nicole served as the Policy and Communications Manager at Exodus Transitional Community, a non-profit organization in New York City that supports formerly incarcerated and recently released individuals in their reentry back into society. Nicole oversaw policy advocacy initiatives, communications, fundraising, grant writing and program development. She worked closely with community members, NYC Council, and other stake holders to push for reform in policies focusing on the intersections of reentry such as housing, healthcare, food insecurity, immigration, mass incarceration, policing, prison reform, etc. Nicole facilitated numerous workshops and trainings for staff and participants around narrative building, professional development, and civic engagement. 

In her free time, Nicole loves to read, spend time with her family, friends, and dog! She is a native New Yorker who loves to explore through food, museums and walking/hiking.