Each State Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) is led by a director who manages the day-to-day operations. Confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, the SAC Director must have extensive knowledge of research methodology and statistical analyses techniques, as well as the ability to design and conduct research studies, and produce and present findings in written and oral presentations. Kansas’ SAC is led by Dr. Carmen Diaz. Dr. Diaz is the Senior Research Analyst at the Commission. In her current role, she manages the Commission’s sentencing data. She leverages this data, along with other Kansas criminal justice data sources, to support data-driven and evidence-based decision making. Her responsibilities include producing the agency’s annual report, legislative impact assessments, and prison population projections.

Dr. Diaz earned her PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Indiana University Bloomington in August 2025. Dr. Diaz also holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety from Indiana University Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University Bloomington. 

Prior to joining the Commission, Dr. Diaz worked as a co-investigator and research assistant on six grants and contracts funded by the National Institute of Justice, Arnold Ventures, and local agencies. During this time, she conducted research in partnership with prosecutors, probation professionals, and other criminal justice stakeholders. Her recent research has examined prosecutorial decision-making, probation supervision practices, and the pretrial period and has been published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, Corrections, the Federal Sentencing Reporter, and Crime & Delinquency.

Payton Fenwick is the Senior Research Analyst at the Kansas Sentencing Commission. Payton also acts as the Kansas Sentencing App's (KSApp) administrator. She continually works to train and support users of the KSApp as well as work with KSApp developers to create an accurate and efficient experience in the app. Other responsibilities of the Senior Research Analyst include managing grant applications and projects, updating the annual report dashboard, and assisting the Research Director with legislative bed impact assessments and annual prison population projections. 

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz has been Executive Director for the Kansas Sentencing Commission since 2011 and served on the National Association of Sentencing Commissions Executive Committee from 2013-2016. In this time, his agency has taken the lead in promoting evidence-based practices aimed at reducing recidivism in Kansas.

Prior to joining the Commission, Scott worked at the Kansas Securities Commissioner’s Office for almost 12 years as an Associate General Counsel, Assistant Attorney General and was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to prosecute securities violations in state and federal court. His prior employment pursuits include criminal defense work in private practice and prosecuting violent crime as an assistant county attorney. Scott received his law degree from the Washburn University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University.

Elliott Smith

Elliott D. Smith has been the SB 123 Director for the Kansas Sentencing Commission since 2024. 

Prior to joining the Commission, Elliott worked as a Re-entry Facility Supervisor, where he gained nine years of proven experience providing treatment services to individuals incarcerated due to substance use disorders. Elliott has a strong history of collaborating with partners to implement policy initiatives that yield proven client outcomes. Elliott holds a master's degree in psychology from New York University. He is a Licensed Addiction Counselor in the state of Kansas.