Veronica Ballard Cunningham
Executive Director 
American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)

Veronica Ballard Cunningham is the Executive Director of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). As the chief executive officer, she has responsibility for operations and programs for the professional membership association which is comprised of more than 30,000 individuals working in pretrial, probation, and parole agencies, as well as judges, researchers, educators, and others interested in reentry. In addition to training and professional development, APPA provides technical assistance and support, serves as an information clearinghouse, and advocates for policy and reform efforts and evidence-based practices in the justice system in general, but community corrections, more specifically.

Ms. Cunningham has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University. She served as a justice system practitioner and reentry professional for more than 30 years – holding the top leadership position in two of the largest community corrections agencies in America – the State of Texas Parole Department and the Cook County Adult Probation Department in Chicago. She also performed related work in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, including for Vera Institute of Justice.

She is a proud member of many professional organizations; recipient of numerous awards and recognitions; published in justice industry journals; and serves on several think tanks, task forces, and boards