MPA Alumni Tony Woods, Jaunita Pye Elected to CVILA Alumni Committee

Everytown Associate Director of Programming and Administration Jaunita Pye and Public Equity Executive Director Tony Woods, both graduates of the Metropolitan Peace Academy, have been elected as representatives for the Chicago Crime Lab’s first-ever Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) Alumni Committee.

Pye and Woods are joined by the Center for Structural Equity Founder and Executive Director Darryl Chambers; Newark, New Jersey Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lakeesha Eure; Detours Mentoring Group, Inc. Executive Director Ben “Taco” Owens; and Urban Specialists Director of Business Development Varonika Wilson. These individuals were chosen to represent each CVILA cohort, and are recognized for their vision, strength, and commitment to the Leadership Academy.

Established in 2023, the CVILA works to help leaders improve the effectiveness of their CVI organizations and to support their mission to reduce gun violence. The curriculum focuses on providing training in violence reduction, program management, staff retention, data literacy, evaluation, and other related areas.

The CVILA is now in its fourth cohort, with members on schedule to complete the program by November 2025.

Learn more about the CVILA here.