CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne today announced that Myesha Watkins will serve as the Administrator of the Cuyahoga County Office of Violence Prevention.

Watkins brings a wealth of experience in violence intervention, youth development, and trauma-informed care. For the past five years, she has served as the Executive Director of the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, where she leads outreach teams working in neighborhoods, hospitals, and schools to interrupt violence, mediate conflicts, and mentor young people at highest risk.

“Myesha is a proven leader with deep experience, strong relationships, and an unwavering commitment to healing our communities,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “She has earned the trust of families, frontline workers, and civic leaders alike, and she brings the right vision to lead this work forward.”

The County established the Office of Violence Prevention to coordinate and support violence prevention initiatives across departments and in partnership with community organizations and municipalities. The office will align resources, advance data-driven strategies, and elevate solutions that prevent violence before it occurs.

“This office was built on the idea that prevention is as essential to public safety as policing. Myesha has already demonstrated what works. Now, with County resources behind her, we can scale that impact across Cuyahoga County,” adds Executive Ronayne.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Myesha Watkins joining the team. She brings a rare combination of strategy, compassion, and credibility to the work of violence prevention,” said Cuyahoga County Councilman Michael J. Houser (District 10). “Under Myesha’s leadership, the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance became a national model, from hospital-based interventions to court advocacy and intensive support for juveniles and adults at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. Her impact is felt from the streets of Cleveland to the halls of the White House. I’m confident she’ll bring that same level of excellence and transformative leadership to Cuyahoga County.”

“This is more than a job—it’s a calling,” said Myesha Watkins, the inaugural Administrator of the Cuyahoga County Office of Violence Prevention. “I believe in the power of community to heal, to prevent harm, and to create safety from the ground up. I’m honored to lead this work on behalf of the residents of Cuyahoga County.”

Over the past decade, Watkins has become a trusted voice in the field of public safety reform, building coalitions, strengthening engagement, and helping shape national conversations about violence as a public health issue. In 2022, she was invited to the White House and recognized for her work in violence prevention.

The Office of Violence Prevention will be part of the County’s Department of Public Safety and Justice Services. “With Myesha leading this office, we are investing not just in programs, but in people,” remarks Brandy Carney, Cuyahoga County Director of Public Safety and Justice Services. “She understands that preventing violence requires trust, coordination, and long-term commitment. We’re proud to welcome her to this role.”

Watkins attended Cleveland State University, where she earned a Bachelor and Master of Social Work. She also attended the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

She is active in her community, serving on the boards of Fostering Hope and Girls Advancing with Purpose. She is also a member of the Youth Mental Health Advisory Committee for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.

Watkins will officially begin her role on August 11, 2025.

For more information about the Cuyahoga County Office of Violence Prevention, visit cuyahogacounty.gov.

View an image of Myesha Watkins.