Leadership
In Memoriam
In the late 1970s, David Austern was driving home one evening after teaching a law school class in downtown DC, and he noticed one of his students standing outside DC General Hospital. She had been the victim of a sexual assault, and the treatment she received after reporting the crime was almost as shocking as the assault itself. Although he had served as an Assistant United States Attorney and prosecuted many cases, David had never realized the indignities so many crime victims face.
That experience made David Austern one of the best friends U.S. crime victims ever had. After helping the student and driving her home, David became a lifelong crime victim advocate and supporter of the National Center for Victims of Crime. He started speaking to victims and criminal justice professionals about crime victims’ rights, and he published the Crime Victims’ Handbook, based on extensive research and detailed interviews with victims.
The National Center for Victims of Crime—then the Sunny von Bülow National Victim Advocacy Center—supplied David with state listings for victim advocacy and support groups for the book. In the years since then, we have also “provided” him with the opportunity to serve for decades on our Board. As president, vice chair, and treasurer, he guided the National Center through many daunting transitions and challenges.
“A long time ago, I learned that the best leaders know how to help others lead,” said Executive Director Mai Fernandez. “David always had our back. We admired his intelligence, wisdom, shrewdness, generosity, and fierce commitment to victims of crime. We gratefully remember his gifted leadership and will forever strive to advance his legacy."
Mark Mandell, President
National Center for Victims of Crime
Mai Fernandez, Executive Director
National Center for Victims of Crime
Mai Fernandez, Executive Director
Mai Fernandez is executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, a position she has held since June 2010. With a distinguished 25-year career in the criminal justice, nonprofit, and policy arenas, Fernandez brings to the National Center extensive national, state, and local leadership experience in victim-related work. Formerly the acting executive director of the Latin American Youth Center -- a DC-based nonprofit organization that provides multicultural underserved youth with education, social, and job training services -- Fernandez has spent the last 13 years managing programs that serve victims of child abuse, sex trafficking, and gang violence.
Before joining the Latin American Youth Center, Fernandez served as Assistant District Attorney for New York County, helping victims navigate the criminal justice system and pleading their cases before the court. She also developed policy for victims of domestic and youth violence at the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and served as a Congressional aide to U.S. Representatives Mickey Leland and Jim Florio.
Mai Fernandez received her undergraduate degree from Dickinson College, Juris Doctor from American University, and Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University's JFK School of Government. Mai [pronounced "MY"] resides with her husband and son in Washington, DC.
Jeffrey R. Dion, Deputy Executive Director
Jeff Dion is deputy executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, a position he has held since June 2010. He has championed crime victims' rights for more than two decades. Dion began advocating for victims in 1982, when his twenty-three year old sister, Paulette, was murdered by a serial killer. Only 14 years old himself, Dion pressed the police for information on his sister's case and, after it was solved, decided to pursue a career in law to help other crime victims. In honor of his sister's memory, Dion lobbied the Virginia General Assembly, resulting in 13 victims' rights bills being enacted into law.
In 1998, Dion joined the staff of the National Center for Victims of Crime, where he currently serves as deputy executive director and the director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. He lectures throughout the country to foster greater communication and understanding among crime victims and attorneys. Having trained advocates and attorneys in 39 states, Dion is a nationally recognized expert with strong ties to direct service providers and leaders in the field of victim services.
Dion, who is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, serves on the Board of Directors of his local rape crisis center, Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Service of Prince William County, Inc., which serves nearly 500 victims each year. He is a former board member and current advisory council member for the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children.
The National Center for Victims of Crime is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Donations to the National Center are tax deductible.