U.S. Department
of Justice
Leadership
We're an office full of advocates who are passionate about supporting organizations that are on the ground working to ensure that survivors get the support that they need, on their own terms. We're dedicated to OVW's mission and ensuring that its work meets the diverse needs of all survivors as it strives to prevent and end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Rosie Hidalgo joined OVW as its Director in July 2023, after serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence at the White House Gender Policy Council. She previously worked at OVW as Deputy Director for Policy in the Obama-Biden Administration, during which time Rosie was detailed to the Office of the Vice President, working with the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women.
Allison Randall joined OVW as principal deputy director in June 2021. Allison returned to the Department of Justice after two years as the vice president for policy and emerging issues at the National Network to End Domestic Violence. She previously served as OVW’s chief of staff from 2012 to 2019.
Linda Phan joined OVW in May 2022. She spent over 23 years in the field working on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, beginning her career with SAFE – the Travis County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center in Austin, Texas, and the Texas Advocacy Project, a statewide legal hotline.
Shilesha Bamberg joined the Biden administration in October 2021, when she led OVW’s policy, communications, and outreach efforts. Prior to OVW, she served for nearly five years as a legislative advisor to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sherriann Moore, enrolled member of the Rosebud “Sicangu” Lakota Tribe in South Dakota, provides federal leadership, national oversight, and guidance for Tribes and tribal organizations to strengthen their capacity to end violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women.
Jennifer Kaplan provides legal and policy support for the administration of OVW and its grant programs. Prior to joining OVW in 2001, she was a senior counsel in the Department of Justice’s Office of Policy Development.
Sybil Barksdale advises the OVW director and principal deputy director, participates in developing and implementing administrative and organizational management policies, works with senior management on planning organizational needs, and prepares plans, goals, and objectives for the management process.
Veronica Hall-Thompson is responsible for the financial leadership of OVW’s budget of more than $500 million from formulation, through execution, monitoring, and oversight.
Find Your Local Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The Office on Violence Against Women does not provide services directly to the general public. To find help, see our state-by-state guide to see who serves your area, or you can find the number to a national hotline.
