Since July 2012, Kristen Mahoney has served as the Deputy Director for Policy at the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the United States Department of Justice. In this role, Ms. Mahoney directs the creation of criminal justice policies that assist state, local, and tribal communities to prevent or reduce crime and violence. She also provides national leadership and outreach on criminal justice issues by identifying and supporting evidence-based programs, best practices, and innovative approaches to key issues. She provides oversight and guidance on criminal justice policy to grantees to ensure that government resources are used effectively and that programs, trainers, technical assistance, publications and websites reflect BJA, OJP, DOJ and White House goals, policies, priorities and incorporate the latest scientific research.

In 2007, Ms. Mahoney was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention. Ms. Mahoney came to State Government after serving as the Chief of Technical Services for the Baltimore Police Department. Prior to her promotion to Chief, she served as the Baltimore Police Department's Director of Grants and Government Relations. In January 2002, while maintaining her command position and responsibilities within the Baltimore Police Department, Mayor O'Malley appointed Ms. Mahoney to the position of Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. This dual role enabled her to directly support the Mayor and Police Commissioner on public policy issues regarding crime and justice. Prior to joining the Baltimore Police Department, Ms. Mahoney served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Ms. Mahoney received her A.B. from Sweet Briar College and her J.D. from the University of Baltimore. She is a member of the Maryland Bar and a past President of the National Criminal Justice Association.