Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden last week named Charlene Luma, current chief of the office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, to be his next chief of staff.
“Charlene is a smart, organized and driven public servant who not only knows the office but also knows the city and the county. Her deep knowledge of our operations and her many ties in the neighborhoods and communities throughout Suffolk County make her a superb fit for the job. I’m thrilled to have her in this important position,” Hayden said.
Luma is a native of Boston with over 18 years of experience as a clinical social worker working with high-risk individuals and families. In addition to her SCDAO responsibilities, Luma is a Commissioner of the Massachusetts Peace Officer & Standards Training Commission and adjunct professor in the Boston College School of Social Work. Luma launched and served as director at the Boston Trauma Response Team providing trauma response services to those impacted by homicides and violent crimes in Boston.
Luma’s past experience includes managing a program that provides clinical services to court-involved youth and adults, providing therapeutic services to victims of domestic violence, and working as a clinician alongside police officers to provide services to the most high-risk youth in the Boston community.
“I am honored and thrilled to be named chief of staff for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to and serve the Suffolk County community. I look forward to working alongside District Attorney Hayden and a team of dedicated colleagues in implementing transformative initiatives, creating safer communities, and finding new ways to enhance engagement with our communities,” said Luma.
Outside of her professional career, Luma enjoys serving her community through volunteerism. She has been an active member of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, previously serving in numerous leadership roles, including board member of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, president of the Young Professionals Network of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and national secretary for the National Urban League Young Professionals. She currently serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Center on Crime, Race, and Justice at Northeastern University.
Luma has received the 2021 Boston College School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni Award, 2020 National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Emerging Leader award, and the Boston NAACP Difference Maker award. She was a Boston Business Journal “40 under 40” award recipient in 2015.
Luma lives in Boston and is a graduate of YW LeadBoston, the Institute for Non-Profit Management & Leadership Core program at Boston University and the Lewis Family Foundation Strong Leaders program. Luma holds a B.A. in psychology and a M.A. in social work from Boston College.