2nd Annual Women in Law Enforcement Conference

Lieutenant Astrid Robinson had 25 years of law enforcement experience. She received a college degree from Hawaii Pacific University in Justice Administration. Lieutenant Robinson began her law enforcement career with the Virginia State Police as a trooper in 1989. Later in 2001, she joined Prince William County Police Department.  Lieutenant Robinson served two years in Patrol, then became a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division serving in the Property Crimes, Robbery, and Homicide Units. During this time, she received a Valor Award for a shooting incident in 2005. Upon promotion to Sergeant, she transferred back to Patrol and then to Personnel and was responsible for recruiting. Lieutenant Robinson later went to the Robbery and Homicide Unit and was promoted in place as a First Sergeant. After serving there for four years, she was promoted to Lieutenant in Operations as a Watch Commander. Lieutenant Robinson completed her career as an Assistant Academy Director and was instrumental in developing the Women’s Mentorship Program for the Prince William County Police Department. 

Master Police Officer Alexander is a 12 year veteran of the Manassas City Police Department and is currently serving in the Special Problems Unit within the Patrol Services Division. 

Throughout her MCPD career, Ofc. Alexander has accumulated an extensive range of experience in the Patrol Division and was selected to be assigned as a narcotics detective in the Investigative Services Division. Her expertise in narcotics investigations is bolstered by significant trainings and specialized programs she has successfully completed.

Ofc. Alexander’s accolades include Officer of the Year, Field Training Officer, Chief’s Peer Review Committee Member, LawFit Instructor, Evidence Tech, CIT Trained, Bike Team Member, Valor Award recipient, and numerous Merit Awards and Employee of the Month recognitions. 

Gina Lapihuska is a dedicated law enforcement professional with nine years of experience with the Prince William County Police Department. A Prince William County native, her upbringing within a family deeply involved in law enforcement instilled in her a strong sense of duty and service. She started as a 9-1-1 telecommunicator, and she currently serves as a FOIA Compliance Specialist in the Chief’s Office. 

A Criminal Justice student at Penn State University, Gina is actively involved in several department initiatives. She is a proud member of the Women’s Mentorship Program, Drone Team, and part-time Criminal Intelligence Analyst Unit. Additionally, she serves as Hall Manager for the Prince William County Police Association, demonstrating her dedication to professional development and community engagement. 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, photography, beach outings, jet skiing, and caring for her rescue dog, Willow. 

Detective Michelle McAllister has over 19 years of law enforcement experience. She received a college degree in Criminal Justice. Detective McAllister began her law enforcement career as a patrol officer with the Prince William County Police Department for five years, then became a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, serving in the Property Crimes Unit. Shortly after, she was transferred to the Special Victims Unit. During this time, she was a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for four and a half years. Detective McAllister later went to the Special Investigations Bureau and served on the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force for five years. During her time as a member of the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force, she served as a task force officer with the FBI, CR7 division, the DEA, New York Field Office, and the ATF. She has extensive investigative experience working in an undercover capacity and federal firearms and narcotics investigations. 

Detective McAllister is one of the founding members of the Prince William County Police Department’s Women’s Mentorship Program and serves as a member of the Physical Fitness Advisor Team. Currently, Detective McAllister is assigned to the Personnel Bureau as a background investigator. Detective McAllister is a three-time recipient of the Valor Awards, a two-time recipient of the County Executive’s Awards, Gang Investigator of the Year (2022), and numerous agency recognitions for her investigative work. Detective McAllister also has received Congressional recognition, meritorious action, and Public Service Awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Virginia for her federal undercover and prosecutorial work. Detective McAllister has four children and is in a long-term relationship with her best friend and boyfriend, Michael Ramirez. They share a passion for running, teaching, and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Master Police Officer Taylor Ullom grew up in Mathews, Virginia, and attended George Mason University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Law, and Society with a focus in Criminal Justice. During her time at GMU, she was a Division I scholarship athlete on the Women’s Rowing Team. She joined the Arlington County Police Department in 2018 after graduating. MPO Ullom has spent her career in the Operations Division as both a patrol officer and a crime scene agent. She is currently assigned to the Community Engagement Division, where she was recently appointed as the Master Police Officer of her unit. 

In her current role, MPO Ullom developed and launched the pilot program The G.R.E.A.T. Choices Program for 6th graders. This comprehensive, seven-session curriculum focuses on Guidance, Responsibility, Empowerment, Awareness, and Teamwork (G.R.E.A.T.), aiming to equip students with essential life skills, foster a sense of community, and encourage responsible decision-making. 

MPO Ullom also serves in several ancillary roles: 

• Honor Guard member, representing the department in ceremonial duties.
• Chairwoman of the Departmental Award Committee, ensuring recognition of outstanding service and achievements.
• Department Ambassador, assisting with recruiting efforts and showcasing the department's commitment to community and professional excellence. 

Her dedication to both the department and the community exemplifies her passion for service and her commitment to empowering the next generation.

Dorian Lambert is currently a Sergeant in the Special Victim’s Unit with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where she has been employed for 6 years.  With 19 years of experience in law enforcement, she is committed to personal and professional growth. Prior to joining Loudoun County, Dorian worked as a Marshal in the Virgin Islands for 13 years. She has also served as a Sergeant in the Field Operations Division and as a Special Victims Unit Detective.

Dorian is an active member of several specialized teams, including the Crisis Negotiation Team, Peer Support Team, and Crisis Intervention Team. She is also a certified Defense Tactics Instructor and has served as a former Rape Aggression Defense Instructor. Additionally, she is involved in the Project Lifesaver Program and is the coordinator of LCSO Women’s Mentorship Program RISE.

Her professional affiliations include membership in the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and a recent membership in the Fraternal Order of Police.

Dorian is passionate about being well-rounded, educated, and using her knowledge, talents, and blessings to uplift others.

First Sergeant Nicole Kephart was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany and spent most of her formative years there before immigrating to the United States. After working in the Healthcare Industry for many years, obtaining a degree in Health Information Technology and ultimately obtaining U.S citizenship, she joined the Prince William County Sheriff’s office in November 2007. Her career with the agency has allowed her to work within every division of the agency and she is currently assigned to the Court Services Division, overseeing the Vertical Deployment and Livescan section. First Sergeant Nicole Kephart is an active member of the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard Team and lead Instructor for the agencies R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) program. She is a member of the LETR (Law Enforcement Torch Run) Executive Council and engages in many events that promote and cultivate acceptance and inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Captain Sommer Grasty has been a deputy sheriff with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, currently serving as the commander of the Professional Development Center at the county’s Criminal Justice Academy. Captain Grasty began her career working in the Adult Detention Center and later transferred to Court Services before rising through the ranks and earning supervisory roles in Confinement, Alternative Incarceration, and Applicant Recruiting & Screening. 

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Captain Grasty earned a bachelor's degree in human resource management and leadership from the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies. Sommer’s ability to influence and guide organizational change, foster an environment of knowledge sharing and development among leadership, and elevate community outreach and engagement efforts underscores many of her leadership capabilities. 

Known for being consistently positive, collaborative, and knowledgeable, Captain Grasty is a field trainer, general academy instructor, project manager, agency vocalist, equity lead, and ambassador for the One Fairfax Equity Initiative.

Mr. Marvin Haiman is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Research Scholar with Rutger’s University. Haiman served as the Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. between 2021 and 2024. In this capacity, Haiman oversaw daily operations of the Executive Office of the Chief of Police and was responsible for broad agency management and implementing strategic agency objectives.

Haiman was responsible for several organizational units including the Office of Communications, Office of General Counsel, Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Bureau. He served as the Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau between 2017 – 2021, leading the Recruiting Division, Metropolitan Police Academy Division, Human Resource Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division, Testing and Assessment Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Office of Communications and the Strategic Engagement Office (Volunteer Services).

Prior to being named Executive Director, Haiman served in a variety of capacities between 2015-2017, including developing the agency’s Office of Volunteer Coordination, serving as Chief of Staff for the Technical Services Division tasked with a broad range of IT operations, and Chief of Staff for the Strategic Services Bureau supporting and leading the administration of police recruitment, training, policy and volunteer service matters for the Department.

Prior to returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Haiman served as Director for the Homeland Security Advisory Council for the United States Department of Homeland Security, where he established several key task forces for the Secretary (e.g., Foreign Fighters, Integrity & Use of Force). Prior to his Federal service, Haiman led the Recruiting Division for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., among various other positions. Haiman was responsible for restructuring the sworn hiring process, decreasing the amount of time it took to process candidates while increasing the quality of those officers hired.

Haiman graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in management through the Police Executive Leadership Program. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received designation as a Certified Public Management Program through George Washington University, as well as certification in Strategic Project Management. Haiman is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program. He received recognition by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 as a 40 under 40 recipient and the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award by the Police Executive Research Forum. Haiman graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy and continues his police service as a reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. Haiman resides with his family in Washington, D.C.

Assistant Chief Tina Laguna has been a law enforcement servant for 30 years. She began her career with Manassas City Police Department (VA) as a Dispatcher, and four years later, she was re-hired as a police officer. Assistant Chief Laguna was promoted to several positions, including detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. While in Manassas, Chief Laguna was promoted to Captain and Assistant Chief of Police, becoming the first woman and person of color to achieve this rank and title. Some of her key assignments included Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Patrol and Traffic Services Division Commander, Special Operations, and Investigative Services Division Commander.

After retiring from Manassas in October 2023, Assistant Chief Laguna joined the Alexandria Police Department (VA) as the Administrative and Technology Bureau Commander. She leads Recruitment, Hiring and Retention, Emergency Readiness, Training, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Accreditation, and Technology Services. During her short tenure, Chief Laguna led the agency to its 12th CALEA accreditation. She developed three new supervisory promotional processes and created an internal first-line supervisor training program. Still a trailblazer, Assistant Chief Laguna is the highest-ranking African American woman in the history of Alexandria PD.

Assistant Chief Laguna is committed to healing communities and police agencies, and she has demonstrated this through active community engagement. She has collaborated with community leaders, faith-based organizations, and educational institutions to enhance police/community relationships. She has been an instructor, panelist, and presenter for several police academies, organizations, and businesses. Chief Laguna is the Financial Secretary for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and a Past Chair of Leadership Prince William (VA). She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP).

Assistant Chief Laguna has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University and a graduate certificate in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. Chief Laguna is a certified instructor through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (VA), and a Certified Law Enforcement Command Executive through the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation. She is a graduate of the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS) from the University of Richmond, Robins School of Business, and the F.B.I. National Academy, Session 242.

Assistant Chief Laguna is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish. She is happily married to her best friend, Juan, and has two stepchildren: Adriana and Quinton.

William Paige is the Program Manager for the Center of Public and Justice at the University of Virginia.

William’s commitment to public service began as a civilian intern with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. in the Court Liaison Division and Office of Volunteer Coordination, promoting the Department’s community relation initiatives. He also interned and worked in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. During his time as an Associate in the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs, William engaged with federal and regional stakeholders to advance the interest of the District of Columbia on a wide range of policy issues. As an Associate Director in the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments, William recruited and managed appointments within the Mayor’s cabinet and staff. His portfolio included, among others, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice and the Office of the Senior Advisor. He also advised certain Mayoral nominees through the D.C. Council confirmation process to numerous volunteer boards and commissions.

During his time at the Georgetown University Law Center, William was a research assistant focusing on federal securities litigation, a summer associate at two international law firms, served on the Executive Board of the Georgetown Black Law Student’s Association, and a student attorney in the Federal Legislation Clinic focusing on anti-hunger policy and advocacy.

William joins the Center for Public Safety & Justice from private legal practice where he focused on antitrust & competition law while maintaining an active pro bono practice. 

William graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Law. He earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. 

In his free time, William enjoys exercising, reading non-fiction, and traveling.