Insha Rahman
Vice President and Advocacy and Partnerships in New York, NY
Insha Rahman is the Vice President of Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and the Director of Vera Action, its independent 501(c)(4) sister organization. She leads the advocacy priorities and campaigns for both organizations, working closely with governments and communities to address mass incarceration, defend immigrant rights, protect the dignity of those in prison, and support safer, healthier communities. She also oversees place-based initiatives in California, Louisiana, and New York.
Rahman is a nationally recognized leader on criminal legal reform, with her expertise featured in respected outlets including NPR, The New York Times, City and State, Mother Jones, PBS’s MetroFocus, and The Nation. Over the past year, she has guided efforts to reframe the national dialogue on safety, accountability, and justice, particularly during elections, by countering “tough-on-crime” narratives with practical and effective alternatives. At the 2024 Masters of Scale Summit, Rahman spoke on why punitive approaches fail, offering a vision for change that focuses on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and investing in communities.
Her introduction to this work began during her time at Vassar College, where Rahman participated in a college-in-prison program. The experience revealed the failings of the current system and the absence of real justice or safety. Learning about Vera Institute’s research on alternatives to incarceration confirmed her belief that practical, evidence-based solutions could transform outcomes. Since then, Rahman has taken on many roles, including leading bail reform nationally, managing reform efforts in New York, and now shaping the organization’s national advocacy.
Earlier in Insha Rahman's career, she worked as a staff attorney at The Bronx Defenders, representing clients in difficult cases and supporting families in navigating complex challenges. She also held roles as an Associate Planner at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services and as a Program Associate at Vera Institute’s Center on Immigration and Justice. These experiences helped her build an approach that connects law, policy, and lived experience to create solutions that matter.
Company Website: https://veraaction.org/