Vera Institute of Justice

Insha Rahman is the vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and the director of Vera Action, an independent but aligned 501(c)(4) sister organization. She leads the development of Vera and Vera Action’s advocacy priorities and campaigns, partnering with governments and communities to end mass incarceration, fight for immigrants' rights, ensure dignity behind bars, and build safe, thriving communities for all. Insha is a nationally recognized expert on criminal legal reform and has been quoted as an authority in dozens of media outlets. Over the past year, she has spearheaded a national effort to win the narrative on safety, accountability, and justice and to counter "tough-on-crime" rhetoric, especially during elections.

Previously, Insha was a public defender at The Bronx Defenders.

Outside of Vera, she serves on the boards of the Aspen Institute's Criminal Justice Reform Initiative and Dignity and Power in Action, Dignity and Power Now's 501(c)(4), where she is the chair.

Insha holds a BA in Africana studies from Vassar College and a JD from the City University of New York School of Law.