Nicole Dehner became the Executive Director of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) on Feb. 28, 2022.

Dehner served as chief policy adviser at OCJS for three years from 2009 to 2012. Previously, she was an in-house attorney within ODPS for OCJS and the Ohio Investigative Unit. Dehner also served as the first director of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit. Most recently, Dehner served as chief legal counsel for the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.

As OCJS executive director, Dehner is responsible for the administration and evaluation of state and federal grants for law enforcement, victim assistance, crime prevention, courts, anti-trafficking efforts, re-entry, and corrections programs. She also works in continuing partnership with drug task forces and the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board and provides the Governor and the Public Safety director with current and projected criminal justice strategies.

Originally from Painesville, Ohio, Dehner received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.