Director

Sumeet Sharma advances the Correctional Association's efforts in policy and communications as a Director at CANY.  He has extensive experience in state government as a former Chief of Staff in the New York State Assembly and as a communications professional for justice-focused campaigns. Sumeet was also selected to join the CUNY Institute of State and Local Governance as part of the inaugural class of the Kriegel Fellowship for Public Service Leaders, completing the program in 2020. During his time in the Assembly, Sumeet played a pivotal role in enacting key legislation including measures creating an avenue for appeal for individuals convicted in cases where domestic violence played a significant role, establishing the right for legislative staff to visit correctional facilities, ensuring that individuals adopted in New York could access their birth certificates, and enhancing prison oversight in New York. Sumeet's commitment to utilizing communication to help people is underscored by his participation in debate at the University of Vermont and Bronx Science during his academic years as well his volunteer work teaching debate in his free time.