Updates on the Victim Compensation Fund

Prior to this role, Allison oversaw all grant functions for the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (“SMART”). Previously at the SMART office, she had oversight over the team working with American Indian tribes to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. For their efforts, she and her team received the Assistant Attorney General Award for Exceptional Service.

Allison previously served as the Deputy Director of the Federal, International, and Tribal Division at OVC. She oversaw the Antiterrorism Emergency Assistance Program, including the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program, National Mass Violence Victimization Center, and OVC's Mass Violence victim support program. As Deputy Director, she also provided guidance and resources for Federal partners’ victim services programs. In addition, she led the tribal victims' services program, including the creation of innovative and efficient processes to help the Department effectuate a massive increase in funding for the first ever Tribal Victim Services Set Aside Program, and the creation of the Tribal Financial Management Center.

Before her Federal service, Allison was the Director of the National District Attorneys Association's (“NDAA”) National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (“NCPCA”), where she managed program activities and staff; and trained and provided technical assistance nationwide on child abuse, maltreatment, sexual exploitation, computer facilitated crimes against children, and domestic violence. She has also authored numerous articles on these topics. Prior to her position at NDAA, Allison was a prosecutor for over 11 years, serving in New York and Illinois. She was an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney's Office for more than nine years, where she tried a wide variety of felony cases.

Before her Federal service, Allison was the Director of the National District Attorneys Association's (“NDAA”) National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (“NCPCA”), where she managed program activities and staff; and trained and provided technical assistance nationwide on child abuse, maltreatment, sexual exploitation, computer facilitated crimes against children, and domestic violence. She has also authored numerous articles on these topics. Prior to her position at NDAA, Allison was a prosecutor for over 11 years, serving in New York and Illinois. She was an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney's Office for more than nine years, where she tried a wide variety of felony cases.

Stefanie worked on the original VCF from January 2002 until it closed in 2004 and considers working with the original fund to be her most personally and professionally rewarding experience. Passionate about the VCF’s mission, Stefanie was quick to return to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2011 as a consultant to support the reopened VCF (VCF2).

Starting in 2011, Stefanie played an invaluable role “behind the scenes,” holding a key position on the leadership team as an adviser to the Special Master on operational, communications, and policy aspects of the VCF. She had a lead role in the implementation of the changes required by the December 2015 reauthorization, and in June of 2016, Stefanie became a VCF Deputy Special Master, joining the DOJ as a member of the Senior Executive Service. In this role, she continues with those responsibilities, and has oversight of day-to-day operations. Following the VCF Permanent Authorization in July 2019, Stefanie has focused on the changes needed to transform the VCF into a now-permanent program. This includes development of a new claims system, redesigned processes, and a revamped VCF organization.

Stefanie frequently represents the VCF at public events, conducts trainings and information sessions, and works closely with 9/11 advocacy groups.

In 2020, Stefanie received the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. She was also selected by Federal Computer Week as a 2020 Federal 100 winner, which recognizes leaders from throughout the Federal IT community who had the greatest impact in 2019.

Prior to joining DOJ, Stefanie owned her own consulting firm for ten years, which she launched following a successful career at IBM Business Consulting Services (formerly PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Price Waterhouse LLP). Stefanie holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Since the Fund reopened in October 2011, she has served in various leadership roles touching most aspects of the program, including supervision of the public-facing Helpline, managing the team responsible for all outgoing correspondence, supervising the eligibility claim review team, developing a training program for new staff, and coordinating cross-team leadership efforts. Nicole joined the United States Department of Justice as an Attorney Advisor to focus on economic loss claim review in 2015. The following year, the Special Master tapped her to lead the team of legal professionals dedicated to reviewing FDNY and NYPD first responder claims.

Nicole has a deep understanding of VCF policy, and her comprehensive knowledge of the program overall is rooted in her longevity and progress within the Fund. As a member of the VCF Outreach Team, Nicole has represented the VCF during in-person information sessions, training sessions, and virtual webinars alike. She has served as a subject matter expert for the appeals process, and as a Hearing Officer presiding over in-person and virtual eligibility and compensation appeal hearings. In October 2020, Nicole was named Associate Special Master, a leadership team role created to provide additional operational and policy support to the Special Master. In this role, Nicole provided oversight to streamline productivity across the team, and ensure that claims continue to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. In 2022, she received the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division Special Commendation Award in recognition of her exemplary service.

Prior to joining the VCF, Nicole worked in project management and began her legal career at a small private practice. She graduated from the Howard University School of Law and received her undergraduate degree cum laude from Howard University. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Nicole is a member of the New York State Bar and District of Columbia Bar. She now calls the Washington, DC area home.