Leadership

Director David J. Carroll

David J. Carroll is driven by a profound personal commitment to youth well-being, stemming from his own experiences in the foster care and legal systems as a young Black man. Overcoming negative expectations with the help of mentors and youth programs, David’s mission is to ensure all young people have access to similar life-changing opportunities, advocating for “care-first” and restorative justice approaches. With 15 years in youth development and a history of creating award-winning nonprofit programs, he now leads DYD in a historic investment aimed at transforming the youth justice system, equitably reducing justice involvement, and fostering environments where young people can truly thrive.

Interim Chief Deputy Director Taylor Schooley

Taylor Schooley, MPH, has dedicated her career to youth development research and systems change in Los Angeles County, driven by a commitment to violence prevention and equity. As DYD’s Interim Chief Deputy Director, she oversees the Department’s operations and strategic priorities. With over 10 years of public sector experience in public health and alternatives to incarceration, Taylor’s career has focused on creating opportunities for quantitative and qualitative data to inform collaborative systems change, including the youth-centered and cross-sector policy planning processes that led to the creation of the County’s Youth Diversion & Development (YDD) model and Youth Justice Reimagined (YJR) vision.

Director Kelly Fischer

Kelly Fischer, MA, has 17 years of experience advancing community-driven solutions to prevent and reduce violence and promote healing in LA County. In her previous role as Deputy Director for the LA County Office of Violence Prevention, in the Department of Public Health, she was responsible for supporting the strategic direction of the office, managing operations, and overseeing the design and implementation of community-based public safety initiatives. As DYD’s Youth Development Branch Director, she oversees the implementation of Youth Development Networks, Diversion, and School Based strategies, working in collaboration with county and community partners to transform youth justice in LA County. Kelly has a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology from California State University Northridge and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Penn State.

Director Patricia Soung

Patricia Soung, Esq. is a passionate advocate for youth justice reform. As DYD’s Youth Justice Supports and Services Branch Director, she champions a care-first approach, shifting away from punitive measures to prioritize rehabilitation and provide essential resources like housing and employment for justice-involved youth. She oversees programs that offer critical support to young people during and after their time in detention facilities, helping them secure crucial needs for a stable future. Throughout her distinguished career, including roles at the Children’s Defense Fund-California and as a juvenile defense attorney, Patricia has consistently pushed for increased investment in youth development and community-based reentry programs, driven by her profound belief in empowering young people and addressing systemic issues to foster healing and growth.

Acting Director Sahar Moheize

Sahar Moheize, MPH, brings a deep commitment to research and evidence-informed practice in youth development and justice transformation in Los Angeles County. As DYD’s Acting Coordination and Innovation Branch Director and Program Director of Research, Policy, and Innovation, she has co-developed a department-wide research framework with youth and community partners and continues to embed it across the department’s programs. Sahar is dedicated to building collaborative approaches to systems change, advancing evidence-informed program design and implementation, and meaningfully integrating young people’s voices into DYD’s ongoing research efforts. She holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Wellesley College.