Grant Ready: Essential Financial Rules Every Grant Manager Must Know (Non-Member)

Kellie Rabenhorst is a the Director of the NCJA VOCA Center. Ms. Rabenhorst coordinates virtual and onsite peer-to-peer training and technical assistance to states and territories to create a strong support system, broaden victim services to historically underserved populations and advance promising policies and practices in federal grants administration. She serves as an integral member of the NCJA team and also collaborates with external partners including the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA), and other national partners and TTA providers to address pressing victim assistance program and VOCA compensation needs and provide meaningful support to all SAAs.

Prior to joining NCJA, Kellie was the Federal Grants and Programs Director, and the Office of Violence Prevention Director at the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice where she had oversight over multiple grant programs from the U.S. Department of Justice, including VOCA and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, as well as a state grant to reduce gang violence. She has worked in human services for over twenty years providing direct services to diverse populations in both rural and urban communities specializing in civil rights, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, substance use and homeless issues.

Kellie has served on the Board of Directors for the National Criminal Justice Association and as the 2nd Vice President for NAVAA.

She has her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Master of Public Administration degree from Bellevue University. She is certified in Lean Six Sigma.

Hugene Fields is the Director of Finance for NCJA. In this position, He manages budgeting, accounting, and the financial activities for all functions of the NCJA. Hugene coordinates funding management activities on behalf of NCJA and is responsible for communicating financial and operational results to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.   

Prior to joining NCJA, Hugene was a Controller at both the Center for Community Change and Capital Area Food Bank located in Washington, DC. In these roles, he managed grants in excess of $70 million, oversaw the day-to-day accounting functions and ensured compliance with federal, state, and corporate grant requirements.  Prior to working as a Controller, he was a Senior Auditor for seven years where he planned, scheduled, and led non-profit audits.    

Hugene serves on the Board of Directors for EBED Community Improvement Inc.; a non-profit organization that provides residential and day services for individuals with disabilities. Hugene received his bachelor's degree in accounting from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and his master's degree in business administration from the University of Maryland University College. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.  He recently completed the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Justice Grants Financial On-Line Training in November of 2023. 

Tammy oversees the NCJA Center for Grants Management. She is a certified grant management specialist (CGMS) through the National Grants Management Association (NGMA) and is a certified project management professional (PMP).

Tammy delivers training and technical assistance designed to enhance build capacity of state, local and tribal governments across the nation. Tammy assists in curriculum and resource development, research and identification of model strategies and contributes to the information clearinghouse.

Tammy served for over 25 years in various positions within Kalamazoo County Government including as the funding executive director for the Kalamazoo Criminal Justice Council as well as the Kalamazoo Office of Community Corrections. In these positions, she wrote and administered several federal, state and local grant awards.