Tucson, Arizona – Barbara LaWall, Pima County Attorney, is pleased to announce that she has appointed Laura Penny as the new Director of the Victim Services Division of the Pima County Attorney's Office.  Laura’s first day on the job was September 8, 2015. 

Laura is a well-known and well-respected leader in the social service and education fields.  Most recently she was the Interim Executive Director for DIRECT Center for Independence.  For ten years, Laura served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona where she was responsible for all programs, grant-making, fundraising, public relations, and financial management.  During her tenure at the Women’s Foundation, grant allocations to nonprofit organizations increased from $66,000 to $305,000 annually. 
 
Previously, she served in executive level positions at CODAC Behavioral Health Services and the Arizona Department of Education.  Laura began her career as a Pima County Adult Probation Officer and Pre-Sentence Investigator, where she worked for more than ten years. 

Laura is an active volunteer for many different causes in the community.  She has received numerous honors for her personal and professional contributions to Southern Arizona, including the YWCA Woman on the Move award in 2001 and the Inside Tucson Business Woman of Influence award in 2006.
 
As a homicide survivor, Laura has a personal connection to this work.  Her brother was murdered in a hate crime in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1996.  Laura is passionate about supporting victims throughout the criminal justice system process. 

LaWall said:  "I have known Laura Penny for more than 25 years.  She has had an exemplary career.  She is a leader with exceptional aptitude, ability, originality, and is eminently qualified to be Director of Victim Services."