Board Leadership

Guiding NAWLEE’s Mission Forward

NAWLEE’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight to ensure the organization remains mission-driven, financially sound, and responsive to the evolving needs of law enforcement professionals nationwide. Board members bring diverse experience, insight, and commitment to advancing leadership, mentorship, and innovation within the profession.

President

Captain

Julie Rodriguez

Los Angeles Police Department

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Captain Rodriguez

Captain Julie Rodriguez is a 28-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Her work experience includes over two decades as a supervisor.

She joined the department in 1996 and worked patrol in several divisions as a police officer, bicycle officer, field training officer, and undercover vice officer. She promoted to Detective, worked in the elite Robbery Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, and spent several years as a Sexual Assault investigator handling high-profile sexual assaults cases. In 2005, she promoted to Sergeant and worked in several divisions as a patrol supervisor and mobile field force squad leader at several significant events throughout Los Angeles.

In 2012, Julie was promoted to Lieutenant Watch Commander in charge of 75 officers and six sergeants. She has also been the Officer-in-Charge of a Gang Impact Team, where she oversaw a uniformed gang unit, narcotics unit, and vice unit, Adjutant to the Chief of Staff working directly for the Chief of Police, and was the Commanding Officer of West Valley Detectives, supervising 50 detectives and five professional staff including three Crime Analysts. In December 2023, Julie was promoted to Captain and assigned to Wilshire Division. She currently oversees 275 police officers, 30 field sergeants, and four lieutenants.

Julie is the President of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) and a board of trustee to the Los Angeles Women Police Officers and Associates (LAWPOA) organization. She is a member of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), California Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Latin American Law Enforcement Association (LaLey).

Through her own failing forward journey, Julie has helped thousands of employees navigate the difficult exam and interview process. She has mentored thousands of employees in their quest for promotion and is a strong advocate for women in policing internally and at a national level.

In her spare time, she and her husband are chauffeurs, personal chefs, amusement directors, last-minute school project coordinators, mediators, nurses, coaches, cheerleaders, photographers, and drill sergeants to a teenage daughter and son.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor's degree in criminology and sociology from Metro State in Denver

Master's degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership (LEPSL) from the University of San Diego

Graduate of the prestigious LAPD West Point Leadership program

Certification from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 280

1st Vice President

Assistant Chief

Lynette Falzone

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Assistant Chief Falzone

Lynette Falzone is currently an Assistant Chief with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. She oversees the Operations Bureau. This bureau is comprised of Patrol, Special Operations, Operations Support and other specialized teams, designed to address the safety of our community. Lynette teaches various mental health and leadership topics and coordinates the department’s Peer Support Team. Lynette is also a certified EQ-I 360 and 2.0 practitioner and provides agency/corporate training and executive coaching on emotional intelligence topics.

Prior to her promotion, Lynette was assigned to the Investigations Bureau as a Major, where she used innovative practices to advance the investigative capabilities. She also served in the Support Services Bureau as an acting Major, where she assisted in building the Psychological Services Program, as well as supervising many of the agency’s critical support units. Lynette has worked at various levels in all three bureaus within the agency. Lynette has been with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department since 2000. Prior to working at FLPD, Lynette was a communications operator with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

In 2017, Lynette was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 under 40 Award, as well as a Past Presidents’ scholarship award from the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives. Lynette serves on the Executive Board for the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) as the 2nd Vice President, and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Women Police (IAWP), as well as the Fort Lauderdale Black Police Officer’s Association (BPOA).

Outside of work, Lynette is a mother to 10-year-old twins, a son and a daughter. Lynette enjoys time with her family, as well as traveling and outdoor activities.

Education & Certifications

Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Lynn University

Master’s degree in Administration with a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Planning from Lynn University (graduated magna cum laude with honors)

Associate of Arts in Psychology from Broward College

Completion of the prestigious FBI National Academy (NA 283)

Completion of the Florida Leadership Academy from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

2nd Vice President

Chief of Police

Sheryl Victorian

Waco, Texas

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Chief Victorian

Chief Sheryl Victorian, a native Texan, has dedicated over 31 years to the police profession. After serving nearly 28 years with the Houston Police Department and promoting through the ranks to Assistant Chief, she was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Waco Police Department on March 15, 2021.

Chief Victorian has participated in several nationally recognized police leadership programs, including the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy (FBINA), the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Inventory for Female Executives (LIFE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI), and Harvard University’s Leadership for a Networked World program

Chief Sheryl Victorian is a visionary leader in policing, and she is celebrated for her ability to encourage, inspire, and motivate. Chief Victorian embraces authenticity, fostering self-confidence, and leading with purpose. Her dedication to relational policing emphasizes building trust, understanding, and collaboration within communities and among officers.

Education & Certifications

Doctorate of Philosophy in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University (2013)

2023 Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce “International Athena Leadership”

2023 Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce “Public Servant of the Year”

Finalist for the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives’ Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year (WoLEEY) award in April 2024.

Secretary

Chief of Police

Cherise Giordani Gause

North Miami Police Department

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Chief Gause

Chief Cherise Giordani Gause is the Chief of Police for the North Miami Police Department and has three decades of law enforcement experience. She started her career with the Miami Police Department in 1993 as a civilian dispatcher and progressively ascended through the ranks. In August 2023, she retired from the Miami Police Department at the rank of First Assistant Chief of Police.

She held assignments that span the three divisions of the department: Field Operations, Administration, and Criminal Investigations respectively. She oversaw the Field Operations Division (FOD), which is the largest segment of the Miami Police Department. The Field Operations Division is responsible for the day to day delivery of a wide range of police services within the City of Miami, including police response to calls for service and proactive crime prevention patrolling. FOD also encompasses specialized elements such as Marine Patrol, Mounted Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Canine, Aviation, Towing Detail, Special Threat Response Unit, including SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactical), Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Detention Officer Detail, Crisis Intervention Detail, Homeless Empowerment Assistance Team (HEAT), Public Service Aides, and the Field Training Officer Program for new police officers. She is passionate about public safety, community policing, constitutional policing, and community engagement.

Chief Gause is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy (Session 279), The Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Command Officer Development Course from the Southern Police Institute (S.P.I.) in Louisville, Kentucky and the MCCA Police Executive Leadership Institute.

Chief Gause has received numerous leadership and community service awards, including, Legacy Magazine South Florida’s “50 Most Powerful Black Leaders in Business & Industry” 2020, Women of the Year N.Y.P.D. Haitian-American Law Enforcement Fraternal Organization 2019, and Legacy Magazine Miami’s “Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry” 2019. She is a member of several professional organizations, including but not limited to, Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, where she serves on the Police Reform Committee, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She also demonstrates her civic advocacy through memberships with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America Inc.

Education & Certifications

Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Union Institute and University

Bachelor of Public Administration degree from Barry University

Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Miami-Dade College

Member at Large

Sergeant

Janice Wilson Brown

Chicago Police Department

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Sergeant Brown

Sergeant Janice Wilson Brown is a native of Chicago. After an early career in loss prevention, her journey led her to the Chicago Police Department where she became a recruit in September of 2004. During her 18 years as a Chicago Police Officer, she has had the opportunity to work on several specialized teams such as the district bike team, district gang team, citywide mobile strike force, area gun team, office of community poling, and the special events section. Sergeant Wilson has been the recipient of over 70 awards including, honorable mentions, complimentary letters, a problem-solving award, and a special commendation.

In October of 2018, Janice was promoted to sergeant. In her current assignment to the special events section, she supervises a team of thirteen police officers to oversee the operations of writing and approving dignitary escorts, memos, and incident action plans for all events throughout the city. The unit serves as a liaison for city, state, and federal agencies to ensure the safety of all persons participating in and attending both public and private events.

To further integrate and propel women in policing she founded the Chicago Association of Women in Law Enforcement (CAWLE) in 2016. Sgt. Wilson-Brown is a board member of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP). Proudly, CAWLE was selected to host the 61st Annual International Association of Women Police Training Conference and Board Meetings in 2024. She is also a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

Education & Certifications

Bachelor's Degree in History from East Texas Baptist University and the University of Illinois at Chicago

Master’s degree in public safety administration from Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Treasurer

Chief of police

Ramona Washington

University of North Texas Police Department

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Chief Washington

Police Executive | Advocate for Public Safety & Higher Education Policing
Chief Ramona Washington is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 25 years of experience, currently leading the University of North Texas (UNT) Police Department, where she has served since 2002. Her career spans a range of roles—from detention officer and patrol officer to criminal investigator, instructor, and adjunct faculty member at North Central Texas College and UNT.

Chief Washington is a Master Peace Officer and licensed Police Instructor, with advanced training in Assault and Strangulation Investigations, Bias Awareness, and Cultural Diversity.
A respected voice in law enforcement leadership, she is actively involved in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), and the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TCPA), where she contributes as a member of the Women’s Law Enforcement Executive Committee.
Her dedication has earned numerous awards, including the NAWLEE Ina Mae “Tiny” Miller Award, Excellence in Public Safety Award, UNT Creating UNiTy Award, and the Bill G. Daniels Award for Outstanding Administrator.
Chief Washington is deeply committed to mentorship, community outreach, and policing in higher education. Outside of work, she enjoys teaching, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Chief Gause has received numerous leadership and community service awards, including, Legacy Magazine South Florida’s “50 Most Powerful Black Leaders in Business & Industry” 2020, Women of the Year N.Y.P.D. Haitian-American Law Enforcement Fraternal Organization 2019, and Legacy Magazine Miami’s “Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry” 2019. She is a member of several professional organizations, including but not limited to, Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, where she serves on the Police Reform Committee, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She also demonstrates her civic advocacy through memberships with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America Inc.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas

Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas

Graduate of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Leadership Command College

Past President

Assistant Chief Deputy

Gina V. Hawkins

Cobb County Sheriff's Office

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Assistant Chief Hawkins

Gina V. Hawkins is presently the Assistant Chief Deputy for Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in Cobb County, Georgia. Prior to joining Cobb County, she served as the Chief of Police of Fayetteville, North Carolina from 2017 until she retired in February 2023.

She has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, starting her career in 1988 with the City of Atlanta Police Department. She worked in many divisions before retiring as an assistant zone commander in 2006. She then served with the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia, Police Department, which was formed in 2006, as a commander. Chief Hawkins was instrumental in establishing an efficient, forward-thinking police department and commanded many units. In 2013, Chief Hawkins joined the Clayton County, Georgia, Police Department as a deputy chief of police, where she presided at different times over both the Operational Command and the Support Service Command.

Chief Hawkins was chosen as a delegate in the prestigious 23rd Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), where she traveled to Israel with other law enforcement executives to study and evaluate the Israeli Police Force. Chief Hawkins is a 2010 graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, presented by the Police Executive Research Forum. Chief Hawkins is an alumna of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education Program and earned an executive certificate in public leadership by completing the Senior Executives in National and International Security, Leadership in Crises, and Leadership Decision Making Programs.

In 2019, Chief Hawkins was awarded the North Carolina Dogwood Award by Attorney General Joshua H. Stein for pursuing community solutions to North Carolina’s most pressing safety issues. In 2020, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) awarded Chief Hawkins the Women Law Enforcement Executive of the Year Award. In January 2020, she was sworn in by the attorney general to serve as a commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. She served on the Executive Board of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) from 2017 to 2021. She currently serves as the President of NAWLEE. She is a member of NOBLE, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association.

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University

Masters in Management from Johns Hopkins University.

Graduate of the 252nd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy

Ex Officio

Carrie Hemmen

Motorola Solutions

LinkedIN Profile

Read About Carrie Hemmen

Carrie Hemmen is the Vice President of Software Sales with Motorola Solutions. She oversees sales teams in Southeast and West regions of North America serving state and local public safety agencies. Carrie serves on the NAWLEE Board of Directors, as well as the Phoenix Police Foundation Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Motorola Solutions, Carrie spent 20 years in public safety. She began her career at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Florida where she began as a dispatcher and rose through the ranks to Communications Director. Following a move to Arizona, she served as the Communications Director for the City of Avondale Police Department. Carrie retired from public safety in 2008, and began her second career with Motorola Solutions, combining her passion for public safety and technology.
Carrie has received many awards and recognition in both careers for exemplary performance and leadership.
Carrie lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter. They are a family of public safety with her husband currently serving as a Major with AZ DPS, and her daughter recently began her career in records at the Avondale Police Department.