2024 Conference Program

• Continental Breakfast

  7:30a – 8:30a

  Enjoy your morning networking with your fellow conference attendees.

• General Session

  8:30a – 9:00a

  NRWC Conference Welcome 
  Jason Whyte – Founder, President & CEO, NRWC
  Phil Weiser – Colorado Attorney General

• General Session

  9:00a – 10:30a

  Opening Plenary Panel: From Incarceration to Transformation
  Moderator: Ashley Furst – Director of Marketing, Breakthrough
  Khalil Halim – Executive Director, Second Chance Center, Inc.
  Assata Thomas – Executive Director, Philadelphia Office of Reentry Partnerships
  Lester Young – Executive Director, Path2Redemption Training & Consulting, LLC.
  

  This panel discussion highlights the unique experience and perspectives brought by those directly impacted by the justice system. Our panelists are experts in their field who have “walked the journey” and are now committed to working with others impacted by the justice system to improve outcomes for all.

• Break

  10:30a – 10:45a

• Breakout Sessions

  10:45a – 11:45a

  Reimagining reentry (with lived experiences) in the museum field
  Jerome Loach – Supervisor/Manager, Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site
  
  This session will delve into the unique LEAD Fellowship program that integrates formerly incarcerated individuals into meaningful roles within the museum sector. By sharing the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the LEAD Team’s groundbreaking initiative, we aim to inspire dialogue on reentry workforce programs and organizational collaborations. The presentation will address the importance of evidence-informed practices, program improvement strategies, and the impact of incorporating lived experiences into program design. Through examples and case studies, we will explore how the LEAD Fellowship navigated systemic barriers, built community partnerships, and fostered a supportive environment for participants’ personal and professional growth. Attendees will gain insight into the transformative nature of the LEAD Fellowship, the significance of holistic support systems, and the strategies employed to enhance program effectiveness. Discussions will highlight the need for continuous improvement, adaptability to participants’ needs, and the role of partnerships in achieving broader impact. The session will emphasize the importance of clear program communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and maximizing reentry outcomes through tailored approaches. Participants will leave with practical takeaways for enhancing their own reentry workforce programs and advancing systemic change within their organizations. This session will explore innovative approaches to reentry workforce development and empower individuals for successful reintegration into society. 
  

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  Resilience: Education to Employment
  Tierney Fairchild, PhD – Cofounder, Resilience Education
  Allison Kroboth – Program Manager, RPC
  Nashid Mateen – Community Coordinator, Resilience Education
  Sophia Bender Koning – VP Operations, Resilience Education
  
  Resilience Education is a nonprofit that works with business schools like UVA Darden, Columbia Business School, and Wharton to train their MBA students to teach business and entrepreneurship to incarcerated learners. We employ the Socratic Method and case studies to encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and to build self-confidence; skills that are crucial for their success post-release. Resilience has been teaching in prisons for over 10 years and has graduated over 1300. For those who took two of our courses, our recidivism rate is virtually zero. Our program not only provides valuable education to incarcerated learners but seeks to change society’s narratives about second-chance hiring by directly exposing future business leaders to the potential of individuals with records. This is why we also provide the Resilient Professional Community (RPC) an online platform that connects formerly incarcerated individuals to an extensive business network to help them achieve their career goals. With the support of a $2.5m grant from Ascendium Education Philanthropy, we are expanding our programs and impact to new business schools across the US. Tierney will talk about the success of the program today, showing data on the positive impact the program has had, and will discuss the challenges faced by RPC and how NRWC and its members can work with Resilience to build a larger connected platform to improve outcomes.
  

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  Approaches to Family and Social Supports in Reentry
  Glenwood Warren – Executive Director, Fathers Forever
  Tolliny Rankins – Author, Co-Founder, Redemption 100.Org
  Andy Peifer – Family and Community Support Manager, Pennsylvania Prison Society
  Kirstin Cornell – Family and Community Support Director, Pennsylvania Prison Society
  
  Session description forthcoming.

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  Inclusive Hiring with Confidence: Understanding Collateral Consequences
  Moderator: Taja Hereford – Manager, Inclusive Hiring, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
  Amy E. Braden – Workforce Coordinator, HopeWorks
  Ashley Furst – Director of Business Development & Community Engagement, Breakthrough
  Charlotte Garnes – Founder, ReNforce
  Dr. Khalilah Olokunola – Founder & Impact Architect, ReEngineering HR
  
  Members of the panel will engage in dialogue to first define the term collateral consequences and explore the impact on individuals who are justice involved, their families and community. Panelists will highlight the intersectionality of collateral consequences as it relates to the legal system, access to basic needs such as housing , education and training, social determinants of health and Social Service, community support and employment. Moderated by a staff member from the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, panelists represent leaders in workforce development, individuals impacted by the justice system and community based organizations.

• Lunch

  12:00p – 1:00p

  Enjoy lunch with your fellow attendees. (Lunch will be provided.)

• General Session

  1:00p – 2:00p

  Featured States: Leading Practices of State Agencies
  Moderator: Cory Miskell – Latino Coalition for Community Leadership
  Shalyn Kettering – Legal Counsel, Colorado Attorney General’s Office
  Aaron Poynter – Director of the Reentry and Employment Services Branch, Kentucky Office of Adult Education in the Education and Labor Cabinet
  Dennis Ritchie – Senior Director of Reentry, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky 
  
  Join representatives from Colorado, Kentucky, and Missouri for an insightful panel discussion on innovative programs and system changes designed to enhance employment outcomes for justice-impacted individuals. Discover strategies and best practices driving successful reintegration and workforce inclusion at the state level.

• Networking Break

  2:00p – 2:30p

• General Session

  2:30p – 3:45p

  Grounded in Research & Data: Evidence-Based Practices 
  Caitlin Dawkins – Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
  Meghan Harrington, BA – Research Area Specialist, University of Michigan School of Social Work
  Armando Yanez – Researcher Mathematica

  This compelling session will underscore the critical role of research and data in advancing fair chance hiring practices. Discover how robust data collection and analysis drive advocacy efforts and inform policy decisions, ensuring more equitable employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.

• Breakout Sessions

  4:00p – 5:00p

  Data Empowerment Jam: Building a Learning Culture in Reentry Organizations
  Robert Brown – National Director of Operations, The Bail Project
  Corey Newhouse – Founder and Principal, Public Profit
  
  Reentry organizations generate reams of data on a daily basis, ranging from case notes, to surveys, to readiness assessments. All too often, that data is whisked away into grant applications and funder reports, never to be seen again by those who collect the data in the first place. This is a missed opportunity to use evidence to support reentry professionals in providing even better supports to their clients. Key to this transformation is building a culture of learning, which engages staff at multiple levels in collecting, interpreting, and acting on data. In this session, the National Operations Director of The Bail Project will share their process of putting learning at the center of everything they do, including conversations with staff members about how the data they collect and act on is a form of compassion for the people they serve. He’ll share tips for fellow leaders to facilitate data empowered conversations with their teams on documenting service quality and reflecting upon how, and if, staff are making a difference, individually & collectively for the people they seek to serve. The session co-presenter will share a variety of hands-on activities to engage teams in conversations about data, drawn from the Dabbling in the Data guide. These activities are designed to meaningfully engage diverse teams in robust conversations about data, regardless of their prior experience with data analysis. Involving multiple perspectives in interpreting data – and deciding how to respond to it – is one way nonprofits can become more equitable and responsive organizations.

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  Best Practices for Serving Women in Reentry
  Carlita Brown – Reentry Manager, PIVOT Women’s Reentry Program
  Veronica Jackson – Executive Director, PIVOT Women’s Reentry Program
  Carla Tilchin, PhD – Assistant Scientist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  
  The PIVOT women’s reentry program been serving women returning from incarceration in Baltimore since 2018. The program has been incredibly successful, with a recidivism rate of less than 8% compared to recidivism in Baltimore City that is over 70%. PIVOT’s employment placement rate is 71% for program graduates, with an average hourly wage of over $18. The program has grown from serving 20 women per year in 2018 to over 200 women per year today. These and other findings were published in a program evaluation conducted by Johns Hopkins in 2023, which looked in depth at the “secret sauce” that has made PIVOT so successful. In this intimate roundtable discussion, you will hear from PIVOT’s Executive Director, Reentry Manager/program graduate, and the Hopkins researcher who conducted the study. They will share personal insights backed by data about how PIVOT has been so effective, what it takes to serve women in reentry, and what other organizations can do to bring these best practices to their own work and communities.

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  Aligning pre- and post-release education and employment opportunities to maximize economic mobility for people with records
  Kelsie Chesnut – Senior Research Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
  Maurice Smith – Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
  
  Economic mobility remains a prevalent challenge for people with criminal records despite advancements in access to postsecondary education and workforce support services. Key to overcoming these challenges and increasing career opportunities is having access to new data and content to keep this issue a priority. During this panel, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) will share new research on state-level job markets that consider strong career opportunities, educational pathways, and legislative barriers. Vera will also provide an overview of the Fair Chances to Opportunity pilot program, which worked with corrections, colleges, and community stakeholders in three states to establish collaborative solutions to improve their state’s pre-release education through post-release employment pathways. By pairing the available labor market research with collaborative education and employment efforts pre- and post-release, stakeholders can maximize their impact in supporting the prospects of economic mobility among people with records. This panel will highlight tools and resources in employment and education and will feature representatives from Vera and those directly working in the field.

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  Leveling Up Employment Outcomes for Returning Citizens: Results of an RCT evaluating Virtual Reality Job Interview Training Delivered in a Pre-Release Trades Program
  Lady Funcke Munoz, MSW – Research Assistant, University of Michigan School of Social Work – Level Up Lab
  Meghan Harrington, BA – Research Area Specialist, University of Michigan School of Social Work
  Matthew Smith, PhD, MSW – Associate Dean and Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work
  
  Unemployment for returning citizens is a leading mechanism of recidivism and is only 25% within 12 months of re-entry. Advances in technology are elevating pre-release services to support employment post-release. For instance, a pilot study (n=44) found that Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT, a job interview simulator) increased employment to 82% (vs. 69%) within 6 months of release from a prison-based employment readiness program. The University of Michigan partnered with the Michigan Department of Corrections to evaluate VR-JIT in two prisons. We report on results from a validation RCT (n=101) of VR-JIT in the same employment readiness program where staff delivered VR-JIT. Participants were randomized into services-as-usual (SAU) or SAU with VR-JIT (SAU+VR-JIT). By 6 month follow-up, the SAU+VR-JIT group was more likely to obtain competitive employment (OddsRatio=2.8, p=.029), obtain it sooner (HazardRatio=1.7, p=.035), and improved their interview skills and interview anxiety (both p<.05) as compared to the SAU group. Notably, returning citizens and staff reported VR-JIT as highly acceptable, usable, and feasible for delivery. Although more research is needed to identify optimal VR-JIT delivery strategies, our results suggest corrections programming and returning citizens could benefit from VR-JIT.

• Continental Breakfast

  7:30a – 8:30a

  Enjoy your morning networking with your fellow conference attendees.

• General Session

  8:30a – 9:45a

  Philanthropic Funders Panel: Building Systems and Forging Partnerships
  Moderator: Chris Watler – Chief External Affairs Officer, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
  Nyra Jordan – Associate Vice President, Community & Social Impact American Family Insurance
  Jac Rivers – VP Program Officer, Eastern Region, JP Morgan Chase Foundation
  Kwelin Waller – Senior Program Manager AIR Equity Initiative
  
  This panel will feature the work of funders that are investing in building systems and strategic partnerships that are driving long-term change across local, regional, and state ecosystems. The funders will talk about the value proposition for investing in building systems, and the approaches they take towards partnering with a diverse groups of stakeholders to develop ecosystems.

• Break

  9:45a – 10:00am

• General Session

  10:00a – 10:45a

  Navigating Corporate & Industry Barriers: HR Professional(s), Industry Regulator(s), and Talent Pipeline Builder(s)
  Moderator: Ken Oliver – Chief Innovation Officer, The Just Trust
  Monique Williams – Sr. Manger of Operations, American Family Insurance Institute
  
  This compelling session will underscore the critical role of research and data in advancing fair chance hiring practices. Discover how robust data collection and analysis drive advocacy efforts and inform policy decisions, ensuring more equitable employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.

• Break

  10:45a – 11:00am

• Breakout Sessions

  11:00a – 12:00p

  Employer Engagement Strategies for Community-Based Organizations
  Molly Verghese – Workplace Solutions Lead, Cara Plus
  Elaine Ross – Senior Manager of Employment Services, Cara Collective
  Lisa Durkin – Director, Jobs for the Future
  Bill Heiser – Senior Director, Pathways and Mobility, REFORM Alliance
  Aditi Joshi – Independent Strategist, MANZIL 34
  Jerri Alexandra Vega – Program Manager, Pathways and Mobility, REFORM Alliance
  Beth Avery – Senior Staff Attorney, National Employment Law Project (NELP)
  
  Session description forthcoming.
  

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  Fair Chance Hiring Best Practices for Employers
  Jeffrey Abramowitz – CEO, Petey Greene Program
  
  Session description forthcoming.
  

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  Spotlight on Successful Fair Chance Hiring Partnerships
  Lindsey Brickle – Director of Workforce and Community Partnerships, Polaris MEP 
  Aarin Clemons – Workforce Manager, Polaris MEP
  Jim Thomson – Program Manager, Fast Track to Manufacturing, Community College of RI
  Dr. Damany Fisher – Director of Ecosystem Development, More Than Our Worst
  Hillary Lyle – Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works 
  Matt Joyce – Partner, Envoy
  
  Session description forthcoming.

• Lunch

  12:00p – 1:00p

  Enjoy lunch with your fellow attendees. (Lunch will be provided.)

  NRWC Members are invited to join fellow members for our Member Gathering. (Lunch will be provided)

• Breakout Sessions

  1:00p – 2:00p

  Addressing Trauma and Cultivating Resiliency
  Hope Cross – Founder, Cultivating Hope Training and Consulting
  Melanie G. Snyder, OWDS/OES, MHFA, MBA – Trauma/Reentry Consultant & Trainer, Melanie G Snyder Consulting
  
  Session description forthcoming.

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  Innovation in Fair Chance Employment: How employment after incarceration doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all
  The Last Mile
  
  When it comes to fair chance employment and employment after incarceration, we must especially remember that post-incarceration is not a one-size-fits-all model or process. This panel “Innovation in Fair Chance Employment: How employment after incarceration doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all” will explore different employment models, including internships, apprenticeships, contract work, and full time employment that can support justice-impacted talent in getting back to work and engage employers in more diverse hiring pipelines. The panel will include voices of those who are justice-impacted and employed, employers, and other stakeholders in the space.
  Learning Outcomes:
  1. Understand Diverse Employment Models: Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of various employment models that can be tailored to meet specific needs of employers and employees.
  2. Best Practices: Attendees will hear first hand from employers and employees and learn best practices for creating and landing jobs.
  3. Enhanced Collaboration: Attendees will explore and hear about ways to collaborate with community organizations, reentry programs, and other stakeholders to create a supportive network that enhances employment opportunities for justice-impacted talent.

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  Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations Advancing the Reentry Workforce
  Cindy Villarreal – Program Consultant/Career Navigator/OWDS, Kansas Department of Corrections 
  Shawn Couch – Employment Director Client Services, KDOC
  Deb Scheibler – Executive Director, Kansas WorkforceONE
  Macy Pickman – Education Director, KDOC
  Myles Davis -Wind Services Field Technician Supervisor, Itinergy
  Vanessa Rojas – Special Projects, Office of the President, Palomar College 
  Dr. Nora Kenney – Rising Scholars Coordinator – Palomar College
  Sonia Gonzalez – Director of Community Engagement – TrueCare
  Corin Tobias-Padilla – Parole Agent III – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  
  Session description forthcoming.
  

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  Navigating Collateral Consequences & Clean Slates with Interactive Tools
  Andre Bethea – Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance
  Josh Gaines – Project Manager, Council of State Governments Justice Center
  
  Despite the steps many states have recently taken to lessen the impact of collateral consequences, they remain a persistent obstacle for workers with criminal records who must navigate a complex web of obscure policies to identify viable career pathways. Fortunately, two federally funded interactive tools are making it easier to identify these barriers and how they can be mitigated. The first, the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction (NICCC), categorizes and describes the conviction-based obstacles to employment, occupational licensure, and other rights, benefits, and opportunities that are imposed by state and federal statute and regulation, making it easy to identify these collateral consequences by key attributes like the specific fields of employment they impact. The second, the Clean Slate Clearinghouse, compiles and summarizes the state policies that allow for the expungement and sealing of criminal records – which often drastically limit the impact of collateral consequences — alongside a variety of resources that can help users initiate the process. This session will discuss the significance of these tools and their benefits to the field while providing an interactive demonstration of how they can be used to manage and mitigate the long-term consequences of a criminal record.

• Networking Break

  2:00p – 2:30p

• General Session

  2:30p – 3:30p

  Game Changing Technology in Reentry Workforce
  Anna Ferguson – Chief of Staff, Edovo
  Kavell Brown – Senior Manager, Social Impact Strategic Partnerships, LinkedIn
  Melissa Riccio – Project Manager, Center for Employment Opportunities
  Tierney Fairchild –Cofounder & Executive Director Resilience Education
  Noella Sudbury – Founder & CEO RASA Legal
  
  Join us for an engaging conversation on ways to catalyze fair chance opportunity through collaboration and innovation. Learn how these organizations are working together to enable career opportunities, economic mobility and meaningful life trajectories for individuals affected by the justice-system both before and after their release. Moderated by CEO, this dynamic discussion will delve into impactful opportunities for reentry stakeholders to leverage partnerships and cutting-edge technology to unify fragmented efforts and help dismantle systemic barriers that stall progress within the fair chance movement. They will also explore how insights from the reentry and incarcerated community can enhance these efforts and shape future innovations that maximize our collective impact in creating a fairer future of work for all.
  Learning Objectives:
  – Discover innovative ways to use technology and other readily available resources to advance your mission;
  – Explore the transformative power of collaborating across sectors/expertise areas and fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement to elevate the field’s collective impact;
  – Recognize the value of adopting an impact-oriented approach that involves making pivots when efforts aren’t leading to meaningful change.

• General Session

  3:30p – 4:00p

  Building an Ecosystem to Last
  William E. Arnold, Jr., Ed.D. – Director, TN Office of Reentry, TN Department of Labor & Workplace
  Jason Whyte – Founder, President & CEO, NRWC

  The Tennessee Office of Reentry is uniquely housed in the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Hear about the office’s work and partnership with the NRWC to build a statewide ecosystem model that streamline reentry workforce services and develop a fair chance hiring talent pipeline.

• Break

  4:00p – 4:15p

• Collaborative Workspaces

  4:15p – 5:15p

  Economic Advancement after Reentry: Activating Partners to Create a Fair Chance Ecosystem
  Shaun Libby – Manager, Jobs for the Future/Center for Justice and Economic Advancement
  Tammy Ortiz – Analyst, Ithaka S+R
  
  The “reentry population” is a diverse population of individuals with diverse interests and aspirations. It is imperative that we have education, workforce development, and employment systems that equip these individuals for a quality job aligned to their very diverse talents and ambitions. This requires intentional partnerships across corrections, postsecondary institutions, workforce, community-based organizations, fair chance employers, policy makers and other key stakeholder groups to create a “fair chance ecosystem”: diverse, high quality education and work-based pathways in corrections and community that lead to quality jobs with opportunities for advancement. This moderated panel will bring together leaders with lived experience and professional expertise to highlight strategies – drawing on research and practice – to develop and sustain partnerships that create a robust ecosystem of providers and employers advancing a fair chance to advance! Participants will learn about original research, assessment resources and best practices for creating or extending existing partnerships and share their experiences advancing opportunity across the range of quality jobs for people returning to their communities.
  

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  Technology Demos
  
  Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the new and developing technologies discussed in the “Game Changing Technology” session.
  

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  NRWC Workgroup Info Session

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  Building a National Learning Community

• Continental Breakfast

  7:30a – 8:45a

  Enjoy your morning networking with your fellow conference attendees.

• General Session

  8:45a – 9:45a

  Partnering with the Federal Government
  Christina Yancey – Vice President, Workforce Development, AIR Equity Initiative

  The federal government is the largest funder of workforce reentry efforts in the nation. The success of those efforts depends on the effectiveness of the relationships between federal entities and the organizations in the community performing the work. During this session, we will hear strategies on how to effectively partner with federal agencies to implement reentry programs. The session will focus on partnership through participation in federal grant programs. Panelists will discuss assessing whether your organization is prepared to apply, viewing federal agencies as collaborators rather than compliance entities, fostering effective two-way communication, and avoiding common pitfalls when building a partnership with federal agencies. Presenters will include CBO and federal government leaders with experience in grant implementation from both the grantee and federal grantor perspectives. Attendees will have ample opportunity to ask questions of our presenters.

• Break

  9:45a – 10:00a

• Breakout Sessions

  10:00a – 11:00a

  FHI 360 Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship, A Workforce Solution
  Rebecca Edmond – Associate Director Workforce Strategic Initiatives, FHI 360
  Lisa Johnson – Portfolio Director, FHI 360
  
  Apprenticeships are a workforce solution to both provide access to jobs for young adults previously involved in the justice system and to ensure staff working with justice involved young people have the competencies in positive youth development to serve the population.
  1. How apprenticeships are a workforce solution.
  2. How small and medium sized businesses can benefit from apprenticeships.
  3. How individuals with lived experiences can benefit and be afforded second chances through professional development through Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship.

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  Unlocking Public Sector Jobs: Partnering with Government Employers on Fair Chance Hiring Initiatives
  Dr. Khalilah Olokunola – Founder, ReEngineering HR
  
  In recent years, federal, state, and local governments have passed hundreds of laws designed to increase employment opportunities for people with records. But not only are these policy making institutions, they are also employers. How can the reentry workforce ecosystem ensure these government entities are fair chance employers? In this session, a panel of public sector employers moderated by a JFF HR expert will discuss their fair chance hiring initiatives, how their fair chance practices create important signals for other employers, and share best practices for developing hiring partnerships with government HR departments. Attendees will hear from representatives of federal, state, and local government offices, as well as a public university, on how they can build partnerships that unlock millions of quality public sector jobs for people with records.
  

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  Initiatives and Partnerships Supported by the Second Chance Act
  Andre Bethea – Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance
  Rico X – CEO, Project Return
  Autumn Winfield – Vice President of Workforce Development, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
  Makila Kidd – Project Manager, CSG Justice Center
  Abram Garcia – Program Manager, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
  
  Session description forthcoming.
  

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  Lessons from Employment-Focused Reentry Grants Serving People Leaving Correctional Facilities
  Armando Yanez – Researcher, Mathematica

  The conference session will share findings from two U.S. Department of Labor-funded evaluations of reentry-focused employment programs, Pathway Home and Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD). The presentation will discuss the use of culturally responsive and equitable approaches to guide the implementation studies and discuss the strategies used by grantees as well as challenges faced in establishing facility-based and community-based programs in state and federal prisons. Findings from the Pathway Home evaluation will cover the full implementation period of the 2021 cohort, and findings from PROWD will cover the early implementation period of the inaugural cohort. The Pathway Home and PROWD grants both build on lessons learned from prior DOL studies of the Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release (LEAP) grants (Bellotti et al. 2018), in which corrections and workforce development agencies partnered to establish American Job Centers within jails and to connect participants to community-based workforce services upon release. For Pathway Home, community-based organizations partnered with state prisons and local jails to offer employment-focused services pre- and post-release, and for PROWD state agencies partnered with federal prisons to provide services.

• Break

  11:45a – 12:00p

• General Session

  11:15a – 12:15p

  Fair Chance. Fair Wage.
  Moderator: Ken Oliver – Chief Innovation Officer, The Just Trust
  Harry Alston, Jr., Pd.D. – General Manager, Safer Policy Institute, Safer Foundation
  Christina Louie Dyer – Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Checkr
  Kevin McCracken – Executive Director, The Last Mile
  

  This session will explore some of the fair chance hiring efforts across the country that are unlocking employment opportunities for justice-impacted jobseekers in industries and companies that provide great opportunities for upward career mobility.

• NRWC Closing Remarks

  12:45p – 1:00p

  Mobilizing for Ongoing Success
  Jason Whyte – Founder, President & CEO National Reentry Workforce Collaborative (NRWC)
  

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  Jeffrey Abramowitz CEO, Petey Greene Program
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  William E. Arnold, Jr., Ed.D. Director, TN Office of Reentry, TN Department of Labor & Workplace
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  Beth Avery Fair Chance Program Director, National Employment Law Project (NELP)
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  Sophia Bender Koning VP Operations, Resilience Education
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  Andre Bethea Senior Policy Advisor, Corrections, Reentry, and Justice Reform, U.S. Department of Justice
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  Amy E. Braden Workforce Coordinator, HopeWorks
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  Carlita Brown Personal Success Coach/Reentry Manager, PIVOT Women's Reentry Program
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  Robert Brown National Director of Operations, The Bail Project
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  Kelsie Chesnut Senior Research Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
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  Kirstin Cornell Family and Community Support Director, Pennsylvania Prison Society
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  Shawn Couch Employment Director for Client Services, Kansas Department of Corrections
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  Hope Cross Founder, Cultivating Hope Training and Consulting
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  Myles Davis Wind Services Field Technician Supervisor, Itinergy
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  Caitlin Dawkins Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
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  Lisa Durkin Director, Jobs for the Future
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  Christina Louie Dyer Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Checkr
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  Tierney Fairchild, PhD Cofounder & Executive Director, Resilience Education
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  Lady Funcke Munoz, MSW Research Assistant, University of Michigan School of Social Work - Level Up Lab
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  Ashley Furst Director of Business Development & Community Engagement, Breakthrough
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  Josh Gaines Project Manager, Council of State Governments Justice Center
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  Abram Garcia Program Manager, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
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  Khalil Halim, BS HCCP Executive Director, Second Chance Center
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  Meghan Harrington, BA Research Area Specialist, University of Michigan School of Social Work
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  Taja Hereford Manager, Inclusive Hiring, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
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  Lisa Johnson Director, FHI 360's National Institute for Work and Learning
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  Nyra Jordan AVP, Community & Social Impact, American Family Insurance
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  Matt Joyce Partner, Envoy
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  Shalyn Kettering Legal Counsel, Colorado Attorney General's Office
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  Malika Kidd Project Manager, CSG Justice Center
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  Allison Kroboth Product Manager - Platforms and Data, Resilience Education
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  Shaun Libby Manager, Jobs for the Future/Center for Justice and Economic Advancement
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  Jerome Loach Supervisor, Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site (Museum)
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  Hillary Lyle Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works
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  Nashid Mateen Community Coordinator, Resilience Education
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  Corey Newhouse Founder and Principal, Public Profit
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  Dr. Khalilah Olokunola Founder, ReEngineering HR
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  Tammy Ortiz Analyst, Ithaka S+R
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  Andy Peifer Family and Community Support Manager, Pennsylvania Prison Society
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  Macy Pickman Education Director, Kansas Department of Corrections
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  Aaron Poynter Director of the Reentry and Employment Services Branch, Kentucky Office of Adult Education in the Education and Labor Cabinet
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  Tolliny Rankins, Th.D. Author, Co-Founder, Redemption100.Org
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  Melissa Riccio Project Manager, Inclusive Hiring, Center for Employment Opportunities
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  Dennis Ritchie Senior Director of Reentry, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
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  Vanessa Rojas Project Manager, Palomar Rising Scholars
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  Elaine Ross Director of Employment Services, Cara Collective
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  Deb Scheibler Executive Director, Kansas WorkforceONE
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  Matthew Smith, PhD, MSW Associate Dean and Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work
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  Maurice Smith Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
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  Melanie G. Snyder, OWDS/OES, MHFA, MBA Trauma/Reentry Consultant & Trainer, Melanie G Snyder Consulting
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  Elizabeth Stiles, MPA Program Manager, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
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  Noella Sudbury Founder & CEO, RASA Legal
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  Assata Thomas Executive Director, Philadelphia Office of Reentry Partnerships
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  Carla Tilchin, PhD Assistant Scientist, Johns Hopkins University
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  Molly Verghese Workplace Solutions Lead, Cara Collective (Cara Plus)
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  Cindy Villarreal Career Navigator / OWDS, Kansas Department of Corrections
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  Kweilin (Pipkin) Waller Senior Program Manager, American Insitutes for Research (AIR) Equity Initiative
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  Christopher Watler Chief External Affairs Officer, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
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  Phil Weiser Attorney General, Colorado
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  Jason Whyte Founder, President & CEO, National Reentry Workforce Collaborative (NRWC)
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  Monique Williams Senior Manager, Community & Social Impact, American Family Insurance
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  Rico X CEO , Project Return Inc.
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  Armando Yanez Researcher, Mathematica
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  Lester Young Executive Director, Path2Redemption Training & Consulting, LLC.

Jeffrey Abramowitz

CEO, Petey Greene Program

Jeffrey Abramowitz, J.D. is the Chief Executive Officer of the Petey Greene Program and past Executive Director of Justice Partnerships and Executive Director Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services and the founder and Program Director of Looking Forward Philadelphia Reentry Program. Jeff previously served on the Executive Board of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, COABE, where he served as Secretary, and currently co-chairs the State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship Program. Jeff was appointed to the Pennsylvania Reentry Council and serves as Chairman of the Employment Committee and Co-chairs the Reentry Committee for the PA Workforce Development Board and serves as the Chair of the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition. Jeff is a subject matter expert for the US Department of Education, is the Moderator for US Department of Education LINCS Community of Practice on Correctional & Reentry Education and works on the IET in Corrections project for OCTAE.  Jeff sits on several organizational boards and centers his work in the intersection of adult education, workforce development, and justice. Jeff is the producer and host of the award-winning weekly radio/television show “Looking Forward” on Philly Cam Radio WPPM 106.5FM and PhillyCam TV (Live Streaming; Xfinity 66/966; Fios TV 29/30; Roku; Apple TV), and Co-Host/Producer of the Behind Every Employer Podcast.  

William E. Arnold, Jr., Ed.D.

Director, TN Office of Reentry, TN Department of Labor & Workplace

William E. Arnold, Jr., Ed. D., has more than 20 years of experience in public service, higher education and community engagement. In 2013, he was wrongfully convicted of crimes that he did not commit. After serving nearly 7 years in the state penitentiary, his conviction was unanimously overturned by a Tennessee Appellate Court in 2020. Today, Dr. Arnold uses his professional training and recent life experiences to create and maintain a platform that assists justice involved individuals overcome barriers to employment and to reduce recidivism. Dr. Arnold does this as the director of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s TN Office of Reentry (OOR). Since 2021, this office has stood out as the nation’s first state funded, comprehensive, non-Department of Corrections related office of reentry. In this role, he has led numerous discussions, programs and trainings on the value of justice involved individuals in the workforce and its effects on the economy and public safety via more substantive reentry efforts. These talks have led him to have DEI conversations with See Change Institute, Tennessee Corrections Institute, Jobs for the Future, University of Cincinnati, and the National Skills Coalition. A servant leader and Ted Talk Alum, Dr. Arnold is a Tennessee native who seeks to improve the lives of all Tennesseans through his work.

Beth Avery

Fair Chance Program Director, National Employment Law Project (NELP)

Beth Avery is the fair chance program director at the National Employment Law Project (NELP), a leading nonprofit advocacy organization that strives to build a just and inclusive economy where all workers have expansive rights and thrive in good jobs. Since joining NELP in 2015, Beth has provided legal and technical assistance focused on removing unfair barriers and expanding employment opportunities for people with arrest and conviction records. In partnership with allies across the country, Beth has advocated for “fair chance hiring” policies and “fair chance licensing” reforms, including the California Fair Chance Act. Over the past decade, her advocacy has included drafting guidance for employers, advising lawmakers and advocates on policy design and implementation, and offering testimony and amicus brief support to assist with the adoption and enforcement of significant laws and regulations. Beth has authored various NELP publications and is a frequent media resource on issues affecting the employment of people with arrest and conviction records. For example, she recently debated the merits of “ban the box” on NPR’s Open to Debate. Beth is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Following her legal training, Beth clerked in the Central District of California and the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Sophia Bender Koning

VP Operations, Resilience Education

Sophia brings a background in startups and technology to Resilience Education to enable our team and programs to scale and thrive. Prior to Resilience, she joined Quizlet as the 5th employee and helped grow it to 50 people (and eventually ~ 850 people) and millions of happy teachers and students. She lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband and 2 adorable kids.

Andre Bethea

Senior Policy Advisor, Corrections, Reentry, and Justice Reform, U.S. Department of Justice

Andre Bethea is a Senior Policy Advisor for Corrections and Reentry at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Through the Second Chance Act funding, he manages the behavioral health, education, employment, housing, and transitional services portfolios as well as leads innovative projects across the criminal justice pipeline. Previously, Mr. Bethea served as the director for program operations and policy at the New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC) where he managed external relationships with community-based organizations and research institutions, as well as developed policy/curriculum, identified best practices, and supervised programmatic initiatives for adolescents and young adults in custody. As a legal coordinator prior to this, he provided law library and research services for individuals in custody at NYCDOC. His career in criminal justice began as an analyst for the New York City Police Department.

Amy E. Braden

Workforce Coordinator, HopeWorks

Amy Braden serves as the Workforce Coordinator for HopeWorks, a non-profit with 36 years of experience in helping people improve their lives through hope in Jesus Christ and success in the world of work. HopeWorks gained non-profit status in 1998 and provides case management, soft and hard skills training, High School Equivalency Diploma test preparation, job search assistance, and transitional housing for those currently in or being released from incarceration. HopeWorks also provides these services in the community, where about 35% of the people seeking their support and services have been justice-involved. Amy has designed and grown HopeWorks workforce efforts by building relationships with area employers, building a reputation of integrity, genuine care, and deep insight into both employer and participant’s needs and resources. She leads a team of 4 whose responsibilities include serving students and continuously focusing the entire organization’s work to support participants in moving into successful employment. Amy graduated from Freed-Hardeman University and has spent decades working with people in federally funded job training programs, owning her own business and managing other businesses that primarily employed persons with multiple barriers to employment. Her passion is fueled by the success stories she has watched unfold over the years, often serving multiple generations of the same family in their bid to escape poverty and the impact of justice involvement.

Carlita Brown

Personal Success Coach/Reentry Manager, PIVOT Women's Reentry Program

Carlita Brown, Personal Success Coach & Reentry Manager, is a graduate of the PIVOT program. She served 22 years at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women/PIW, where she held multiple leadership positions. While incarcerated she created and ran a reentry program for other women, (Victim Awareness Building Bridges Project) helping them prepare for release and life in the community. Prior to joining the staff at PIVOT, Ms. Brown was serving as a Case Manager at Living Classrooms. She is an accomplished speaker, motivator, coach and community advocate and has devoted her life to advancing and uplifting her community. Since becoming a part of the Pivot management team, Carlita has become a published author who shares her information with courage, tenacity, and with the intent to provoke change, decision making, and a commitment to self. Ms. Brown currently sits on the leadership committee for the Ladies League of Baltimore; she also sits on Mayor Brandon Scott’s Returning Citizens Advisory Council (RAC) It is safe to say that Ms. Carlita Brown has been Pivoting within her own personal reentry process.

Robert Brown

National Director of Operations, The Bail Project

As the National Director of Operations, Mr. Brown leads the development and implementation of program innovation, process optimization, and operational strategy for The Bail Project’s direct services and bail out operations. Mr. Brown initially joined The Bail Project in 2021 as the Operations Manager for several sites in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Before joining The Bail Project, Mr. Brown was the Operations Manager at True Brands where he implemented a work-skills development program for justice-involved employees that included leadership training and industry-recognized certifications. Mr. Brown is a NCCER-certified vocational instructor with a continued education certificate in trauma informed care.

Kelsie Chesnut

Senior Research Associate, Vera Institute of Justice

Kelsie Chesnut works as a Senior Research Associate with Vera’s Unlocking Potential and Opening Doors to Housing Initiatives focused on expanding access to postsecondary education in prison and connecting people returning to their communities with housing. Kelsie is based in San Francisco, California and has experience with program evaluation of targeted reentry services and policy reform in corrections. She is also a skilled qualitative researcher. Before joining Vera in 2018, Kelsie was the Project Manager of a multi-year research study examining solitary confinement reform in Washington State. Her research highlighted the critical role of corrections staff in prison reform and policy implementation. In addition to her work at Vera, Kelsie has also conducted research on Los Angeles’s illegal gun market, focusing on sourcing in procurement. Kelsie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University, and a Master of Arts in Social Ecology and a PhD in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine. She is a member of the American Correctional Association. She brings an impressive research career and portfolio to this panel.

Kirstin Cornell

Family and Community Support Director, Pennsylvania Prison Society

Kirstin joined the Prison Society in 2019 to lead its Family and Community Support portfolio. Arrest and incarceration are traumatic for all parties involved– including family. Family is often left out of the discussion and without support. Prior to 2019, Kirstin work to advance state based criminal legal system reforms and also led a non-profit that offered programming to justice impacted populations, including youth, adults, and victims of crime. She holds a BA in Psychology from Georgetown University and an MS in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Shawn Couch

Employment Director for Client Services, Kansas Department of Corrections

Shawn Couch, Employment Director for Client Services with the Kansas Department of Corrections, is an Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) and certified trainer, with 20 years’ experience in the correctional field and is a Navy veteran. Shawn has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management with a specialization in human resources. As part of the KDOC Reentry team, he oversees the job readiness program which prepares justice-involved individuals to become productive and valued employees and responsible citizens. His team works with clients as they prepare to transition back into the community. They connect with businesses and collaborate with local resources for Second Chance and Fair Chance Employment opportunities. He has presented many correctional related classes and has instructed for the Offender Workforce Development Specialist classes.

Hope Cross

Founder, Cultivating Hope Training and Consulting

Hope Cross is a multi-dimensional, innovative leader who started working with at-risk youth and families in the most under-served and poverty-stricken communities in Florida in 2001. Her creative and “hope” driven approach to serving others has led her to take on seemingly “impossible” tasks and walk through on the other side of those tasks with success in her trail.   Her years of service has taken her through the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice as a Case Manager and Educator, Healthy Families Florida as a Social Worker, Henkels & McCoy as a Career Navigator, and Eckerd Connects as the Community Engagement Manager for Central and South Florida. Throughout her service she has consistently served clients as well as managed teams who served clients with the highest risk factors, court-involvement, and in need of work readiness and job placement.     Her innovative approaches helped her be a part of the Eckerd Connects team that was awarded the Youth Program of the Year Award at NAWDP for 2021 as well as the Service Excellence Award for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in 2022. She served as a Plenary Speaker and Workshop Presenter for the ACT Workforce Conference in New Orleans in 2022 and will also be presenting workshops for the SETA Workforce Conference in March 2023.     In addition to her work with staff and leadership, Hope also works with the Desoto County School Board to provide training and development to students on a career and leadership track as well as church organizations and other non-profit organizations to provide training and development to youth in the areas of Trauma and Resiliency, Leadership Development, Choice Impact, and Motivational Interviewing.     Hope embodies her creative innovation in all she does, including her development and training of Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care for Organizations throughout the United States. She believes success is possible and every person has exactly what it takes to find success for themselves, those they serve, and their organization if they know how to tap into their most powerful resources – their empathy, compassion, and determination.

Myles Davis

Wind Services Field Technician Supervisor, Itinergy

Myles Davis, Wind Services Field Technician Supervisor for Itinergy. Myles is a former justice-involved individual who has a successful reintegration in to society and has built a reputation in the wind and renewable energy field. Over the past three years he has been able to maintain employment, complete his obligation to the Kansas Department of Corrections, pay off fines, buy a vehicle, find housing, pay taxes, and help others to along the way. Within the company he is the first justice-involved individual hired and has started a mentoring program with the support of the owner for others traveling the same path in life. He assists others to learn a trade in the Wind and Renewable Energy field.

Caitlin Dawkins

Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research

Caitlin Dawkins, M.B.A., is a principal technical assistance consultant at American Institutes for Research® (AIR) where she serves in a leadership role across a portfolio of work that advances justice. Dawkins utilizes her unique expertise that sits at the intersection of justice, workforce, and education to advance evidence-based practices and policy. Currently, Dawkins serves as the technical assistance lead for Measurements for Accountability to All People in Policy Solutions and justice fellowship efforts at AIR, and she serves as senior advisor and subject matter expert on various projects. In 2023, Dawkins served as the director of the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) and oversaw technical assistance and national, state, tribal, and local partner development and engagement for the center. Dawkins is committed to advancing justice and thriving communities. She has served in multiple capacities including direct service, advocacy, and intermediary roles. Prior to joining AIR, she was FHI 360’s director of justice programs, where she oversaw the strategic direction of the portfolio of work that aimed to advance justice. Dawkins holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winston-Salem State University.

Lisa Durkin

Director, Jobs for the Future

Lisa Durkin is a Director at Jobs for the Future (JFF) in their Center for Justice & Economic Advancement (CJEA). Within CJEA, Lisa develops and executes employer lines of service, supporting companies with their implementation of fair chance talent practices that make quality jobs more accessible to people with records. Prior to JFF, Lisa spent nearly a decade working in prison reentry, most recently managing a Saint Louis University program that connects jobseekers with records to fair chance employment. She has a Bachelors in Psychology and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters in Leadership and Organizational Development from Saint Louis University.

Christina Louie Dyer

Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Checkr

Christina Louie Dyer serves as the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Checkr, where she is dedicated to promoting Fair Chance hiring through initiatives such as employer training and Apprenticeships for justice-impacted individuals. Prior to joining Checkr, Christina established and led the social impact and sustainability function at Lob as the Head of Lob.org and was the second founding member of Box’s social impact team, Box.org. She is committed to cross-sector collaboration and leveraging the resources and influences she has access to for positive impact. Christina’s career began in education as an elementary school teacher, and she continues to carry a deep passion for education and creating opportunity pathways for all.

Tierney Fairchild, PhD

Cofounder & Executive Director, Resilience Education

Tierney and her husband Greg Fairchild co-founded Resilience Education in 2013. As Executive Director, she leads the Resilience team by designing and delivering programs and developing partnerships to meet the needs of the individuals Resilience serves. Tierney has dedicated her career to building innovative solutions to address societal challenges. She spent 10 years at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in human resources and community relations, where she led a corporate philanthropy initiative for CEO George David with the Hartford Public Schools, UTC’s headquarters and designed and implemented a strategic K-12 education reform initiative. Tierney was the founding executive director of the Darden/Curry Partnership for Leaders in Education at the University of Virginia, where she led the design and delivery of a portfolio of executive development programs for educators. At the PLE, Tierney was a pioneer in the field of turnaround leadership, leading the development of turnaround principals for then Governor Mark Warner.

Lady Funcke Munoz, MSW

Research Assistant, University of Michigan School of Social Work - Level Up Lab

Lady Alejandra Funcke (she/her/ella) is a dedicated advocate and MSW graduate specializing in Interpersonal Practice, with a focus on integrated health, mental health, and substance abuse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Palm Beach State College, graduating summa cum laude. As a Pre-Licensed Psychotherapist in the state of Florida, Lady is committed to improving mental health outcomes for underserved communities. Her role as a Research Assistant at the University of Michigan involves collaborating on initiatives that support system-impacted female youth of color and promote equity in employment opportunities. Lady has a strong background in DEI initiatives, leading educational workshops and community dialogues that advocate for formerly incarcerated students and foster inclusivity in higher education. Her global perspective is enriched by research on incarceration, human rights, and biodiversity in the United Kingdom. Recognized for her contributions to social justice, Lady has received the DEI Impact Awards Student of the Year and the Michigan Difference Student Leadership Award. Her resilience and unwavering dedication continue to inspire change, as she works tirelessly to create a more just and inclusive society.

Ashley Furst

Director of Business Development & Community Engagement, Breakthrough

Ashley is a passionate advocate for the belief that individuals are more than their worst mistakes. As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of reentry after justice involvement, she brings a deep understanding of the unique needs of this population and the transformative power of second chances. As the Director of Business Development & Community Engagement at Breakthrough, Ashley is responsible for identifying growth opportunities through funding, building strategic partnerships, and driving the implementation of organizational objectives through development and community engagement initiatives. In her previous role as Senior Program Manager for Employment Opportunities at the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ), Ashley worked on the award-winning Unlock Potential hiring program, which successfully engaged businesses in supporting employment opportunities for Opportunity Youth and Second Chance Hiring. Her work also includes the publication of a comprehensive “roadmap” titled Hiring Justice-Involved Talent: Practical Steps to Becoming a Second Chance Employer, which has been used as a resource for companies committed to adopting fair hiring practices. Currently, Ashley serves on the Advisory Council for the Colorado Fair Chance Hiring Initiative, where she continues her advocacy for inclusive hiring. Ashley holds an MS in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University.

Josh Gaines

Project Manager, Council of State Governments Justice Center

Josh Gaines is a Project Manager at the Council of State Governments Justice Center. During his six years with the Justice Center, he has focused on issues involving barriers to work and economic mobility, collateral consequences, and relief from the long-term impacts of a criminal record. He works with states across the country to advance policies that remove barriers to opportunity, oversees the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction and Clean Slate Clearinghouse, and provides technical assistance to states that have signed on to the national Reentry 2030 initiative. Josh received his BA from NC State University and his JD from the Washington College of Law at American University. He is based in Raleigh, NC.

Abram Garcia

Program Manager, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Abram Garcia is a Program Manager for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. He has 14 years of experience working in workforce development and the non-profit sector serving marginalized communities addressing barriers to socioeconomic upward mobility. In 2014, as a Program Coordinator overseeing IL Department of Human Services programs, he implemented expungement/sealing services across 3 funded programs which continue to this day. In 2022, as part of The Road Home program, Abram and his team were granted access to enter Cook County Jails to engage candidates for pre-release services and promote program services for successful reentry. Also in 2022, he worked with the IL Department of Correction to provide virtual orientations for committed persons to promote The Road Home and enroll participants pre-release. Abram is himself justice impacted and has family members who are as well, which has driven his passion to provide reentry tailored workforce solutions.

Khalil Halim, BS HCCP

Executive Director, Second Chance Center

Khalil A. Halim is a distinguished Army veteran whose life embodies a profound commitment to service and community empowerment. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management, Khalil’s academic excellence mirrors his dedication to excellence in all endeavors. With a remarkable 12-year tenure as Deputy Director at It Takes a Village, Khalil’s impact reverberated through various spheres of civic engagement. Serving on the Mayor’s Office of HIV Resources Planning Council in Denver and chairing the Priorities Setting and Allocation Committee, Khalil played instrumental roles in shaping policies and programs for community health and well-being. His appointment by the Governor to the Colorado HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (CHAPP) Grant Review Committee underscores his leadership in public health initiatives. Moreover, Khalil’s contributions extended to the implementation and oversight of Aurora’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Project (HPRP), reflecting his hands-on approach to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity. As a founding member of Second Chance Center’s Board of Directors, Khalil exemplified a steadfast commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration. Stepping into the role of Executive Director at Second Chance Center, Khalil continues his legacy of transformative leadership, guiding individuals toward brighter futures and second chances. Beyond his professional achievements, Khalil’s passion for music and DJing has earned him an iconic urban name in the DJ community, demonstrating his multifaceted talents and interests. Perhaps Khalil’s most impactful contributions lie in his mentorship and guidance, offering invaluable support to those seeking answers and redemption. His unwavering dedication to uplifting others has catalyzed transformative journeys, including that of SCC’s Founder, who found solace and inspiration in Khalil’s wisdom and example. In the tapestry of his life, Khalil A. Halim weaves threads of service, leadership, and compassion, illuminating pathways to redemption and second chances for all who cross his path.

Meghan Harrington, BA

Research Area Specialist, University of Michigan School of Social Work

After graduating in 2019 from the University of Michigan with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Crime and Justice, Meghan joined the Level Up: Employment Skills Simulation Lab within the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Since joining the lab, she has served as the lead coordinator for an NIJ-funded study in which a Virtual Reality Job Interview Training program was implemented and evaluated within the pre-release trades-focused employment readiness programs in two Michigan Correctional Facilities. She has worked very closely with system-impacted individuals and hopes to continue contributing to the advancement of opportunities, education, and resources available to those reentering the workforce.

Taja Hereford

Manager, Inclusive Hiring, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice

Taja Hereford serves as a Manager for the Inclusive Hiring team at the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) overseeing the award-winning Unlock Potential workforce development program for opportunity youth and second chance hiring work in Texas and Tennessee. Prior to joining RBIJ, Taja worked in state government for Texas focusing on work related to substance use prevention through coalition efforts. In addition to government work, she has worked with various non-profit organizations that helped serve formerly incarcerated mothers and individuals helped get reintegrated into society. She has led workforce development opportunities at her previous work companies. Taja has earned her Masters in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. She aims to restore human dignity to those who society has tried to strip away this value from.

Lisa Johnson

Director, FHI 360's National Institute for Work and Learning

Lisa Johnson is the Director of FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) in Washington, DC. A proactive and versatile leader, she has over two decades of experience in strategic planning, capacity strengthening, and designing and implementing workforce development, college and career readiness, youth development, and justice programs. She is skilled at effectively managing a diverse portfolio of government, foundation, and private sector grants. Before becoming Director at NIWL, Ms. Johnson led U.S. Department of Labor re-entry programs providing access to and support for education and employment opportunities for youth and young adults previously involved with the justice system. Prior to joining FHI 360, she led several juvenile justice initiatives in the state of Massachusetts which provided thousands of young people a second chance in their college and career journeys. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Bridgewater State University and a business degree from Northeastern University.

Nyra Jordan

AVP, Community & Social Impact, American Family Insurance

Nyra Jordan is an impact investor and social justice activist dedicated to amplifying the voices of community changemakers. As the Assistant Vice President of Community and Social Impact, she invests in high-impact social entrepreneurs, startups, and strategic partnerships. Nyra leads efforts to build collaborations that promote access to opportunities, social equity, and financial mobility, with a focus on individuals impacted by the criminal and civil legal systems. She is co-creating a nationwide coalition to connect underrepresented founders with funding by convening entrepreneurs and investors in the justice tech sector. A TED speaker, Nyra’s work advocating for fair chance employment and capital access for underrepresented founders has been featured in major publications.

Matt Joyce

Partner, Envoy

Matt Joyce is a Founder and Partner at Envoy Advisory, a social impact consulting firm. Through Envoy’s Fair Chance Employment practice, Matt has led inclusive hiring engagements with large companies, industry associations, government agencies and workforce boards, implementing best-in-class hiring policies and launching targeted initiatives to recruit and support candidates with past convictions. Matt previously served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Center for Employment Opportunities and Executive Director of the GreenLight Fund’s Philadelphia site. Matt holds a BA from Haverford College and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Shalyn Kettering

Legal Counsel, Colorado Attorney General's Office

Shalyn Kettering is the Legal Counsel to the Colorado Attorney General. In that role she provides legal and policy advice to the Attorney General and oversees priority projects on his behalf. Those projects include managing the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, law enforcement training efforts around the use of Colorado’s red flag law, multi-state litigation and investigations into Meta and TikTok, and the Department of Law’s Fair Chance Hiring Initiative. The Fair Chance Hiring Initiative is a partnership between the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Attorney General’s Office and has included investments in a statewide employer network and employer-driven behind the walls workforce development programs. Current behind the walls programming in the warehouse and HVAC spaces are in development.

Malika Kidd

Project Manager, CSG Justice Center

As a Project Manager at CSG, Malika Kidd works on initiatives to support economic mobility for people with criminal records. She offers guidance and facilitate discussions with criminal justice agencies, nonprofits, and reentry service providers as they develop and implement educational, workforce development, and subsidized employment programs. Previously, Malika was the Program Director of Workforce Development at a non-profit organization in Cleveland, Ohio. As the Program Director, she managed and supervised the vocational educational training and career services programs. One of those programs was a prison education program in culinary arts, where she led the development of new curriculums, certificate programs, and degree programs. She earned a BA in nonprofit administration and an MBA from Cleveland State University.

Allison Kroboth

Product Manager - Platforms and Data, Resilience Education

Allison is an advocate for the formerly incarcerated, seeking to change the narrative for returning citizens and drive down recidivism rates through education and career opportunities. She’s been a long-time member of the Community Advisory Board for our Resilient Professional Community. While incarcerated, Allison completed an associate’s degree through Piedmont Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business PREP program. Following her release, she has gained experience in production management, grant writing, and software engineering. Allison now looks forward to using her varied experiences in her new role as Product Manager to help Resilience Education thrive.

Shaun Libby

Manager, Jobs for the Future/Center for Justice and Economic Advancement

Shaun Libby is a graduate student studying youth development at Michigan State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in the science of mental health and human services from the University of Maine at Augusta. Shaun has worked throughout the majority of his 25-plus years of incarceration to better the community inside the Maine State Prison as well as those communities in society. He was hired as an intern at JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement for the summer of 2023 and recently started his full-time role as a Manager at JFF. In his role at JFF, Shaun has worked alongside his colleagues and partners to help create quality job opportunities for people reentering society from prison, and people with records. Shaun also works with community organizations in Maine that help individuals with their many reentry needs.

Jerome Loach

Supervisor, Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site (Museum)

EXONERATED after serving over a decade in prison! Mr. Jerome A. Loach is a motivational speaker, activist, and a leader in the community who currently serves as the Supervisor for Education and Partnerships at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (Museum). He studied psychology and is a Minster in African Spirituality. Jerome has volunteered with organizations like Stop the Violence, Get Out the Vote, and Mothers in Charge. He is also a member of the DA’s Racial Injustice Committee. He has spoken at many Universities and appeared on many Forums, as well as spoken on panels at the AAM (American Alliance of Museum) and the AAAM (Association of African American Museums). He has appeared on CNBC, ABC and Fox news. The Clay Cane Show on Sirius, and The Wrongful Conviction Podcast. In 2019, he created the animated short film “Justice” as part of Eastern State Penitentiary’s Hidden Lives Illuminated, and in 2022 he created the renowned LEAD Fellowship for Returning Citizens at Eastern State Museum. Mr. Loach is also a proud member of the Prince Hall fraternity. Jerome A. Loach [email protected] (267) 979-7719 (Cell) Business Owner, Motivational Speaker, Activist and Supervisor at Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site.

Hillary Lyle

Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works

Hillary Lyle currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at SCPa Works. In her role, Hillary oversees all new partnerships, grants, programs, and evaluations. Prior to her role in strategic initiatives, Hillary oversaw South Central’s Youth and Reentry programs. Hillary’s vast array of experience at multiple levels within the workforce development system allows her to analyze problems from multiple perspectives and provides ground level experience when developing program structure and policies. One of Hillary’s proudest accomplishments is developing and overseeing the first structured reentry program in the South Central region’s PA CareerLink® offices. Since 2018, this program has expanded to serve individuals pre and post release, increased sources of funding to support individuals holistically, and expanded Fair Chance Hiring practices across the region.

Nashid Mateen

Community Coordinator, Resilience Education

Nashid Mateen is a visionary entrepreneur with a rich background in developing innovative ventures aimed at addressing social issues. His endeavors include creating safe and nurturing living environments and providing essential skills for personal and professional success. Driven by a strong commitment to social responsibility, Nashid leverages his lived experiences to support Resilience Education in achieving its initiatives and goals.

Corey Newhouse

Founder and Principal, Public Profit

Corey Newhouse is the Founder and Principal of Public Profit, a consultancy that helps mission-driven organizations use data to improve the quality of their work. She’s on a lifelong mission to make data more interesting and valuable for everyone in the nonprofit sector. Corey shared many of her go-to strategies to change how data is done in nonprofits through two guides: Creative Ways to Solicit Feedback and Dabbling in the Data. Corey was part of the evaluation team for Project Choice, a reentry program in the mid-2000s in Oakland, California; she’s currently supporting CROP Organization (Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs) to build a robust evaluation framework.

Dr. Khalilah Olokunola

Founder, ReEngineering HR

Dr. Khalilah “KO” Olokunola is a leader and subject matter expert in human resources and people strategy who has worked with organizations including Drizly, Plenty, Sustainable Brands, and Patagonia. She has been named a Top 20 HR Innovators by AIHR, a top 22 Conscious Business leader, and top 30 Fearless Women Leading Sustainability and Regeneration.

Tammy Ortiz

Analyst, Ithaka S+R

Tammy works as an analyst for Ithaka S+R, where she connects and works with higher education in prison programs and their students, while also maintaining connections with department of corrections staff. She is also interested in libraries and how they can better serve patrons that are currently incarcerated and those who have been released. In addition, she works part time for the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project as an editor for their weekly newsletter The Warbler, which is sent out to individuals incarcerated in Alabama and around the nation. Tammy is formerly incarcerated and upon release from prison, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado. Tammy lives in northern Colorado where she enjoys working in her garden and spending time with her grandchildren and box turtle Bradley.

Andy Peifer

Family and Community Support Manager, Pennsylvania Prison Society

Andy is the Family and Community Support manager at the Prison Society. He works to support the various program areas supporting individuals and their families who are returning home, including in-prison workshops, peer support facilitation and recruitment of volunteer mentors. Andy has worked most of the last 20 years on various small business and community initiatives in Philadelphia and holds a MA in Community Development from the University of Victoria (B.C.). He lives with his partner, Sara, and their three children in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

Macy Pickman

Education Director, Kansas Department of Corrections

Macy Pickman has a passion for learning with a diverse education background that has expanded into a diverse work experience. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Kansas State University, she taught science in a Title I high school, allowing her to see that education is only successful when it’s not siloed and supports the needs of the whole student. Macy expanded her education with a Master of Education in School Counseling and a Master of Science in Education Administration. Macy became Education Director for the Kansas Department of Corrections in 2023, overseeing all the education programming and managing Adult Education and post-secondary opportunities within the KDOC. She works with the Kansas Consortium for Correctional Higher Education to ensure that these programs and services are operating to the high standard set by the state of Kansas for all KDOC students. Macy embodies collaboration and communication in her professional philosophy. Partnering with other departments within KDOC creates a web of supports that work to help students reach their goals. Seeing the impact that education has had on her life, Macy plans to continue to expand education and employment opportunities within the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Aaron Poynter

Director of the Reentry and Employment Services Branch, Kentucky Office of Adult Education in the Education and Labor Cabinet

Aaron Poynter currently serves as the Director of the Reentry and Employment Services Branch with the Kentucky Office of Adult Education in the Education and Labor Cabinet. Aaron has always had a passion for service and began his professional career in Law Enforcement. Upon relocating to Russell County Kentucky, Aaron transitioned into workforce development with an emphasis on assisting the justice involved population across the Commonwealth. With a passion to assist individuals, employers and communities Aaron has been the tip of the spear in the successful development and implementation of innovative programming across Kentucky. Aaron is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, and Leadership Kentucky’s BRIGHT and Elevate programs and a graduate of the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2023. Aaron was selected as a Fellow to represent Kentucky in the 2022-2023 Appalachian Leadership Institute through the Appalachian Regional Commission. In 2024 Aaron joined the Board of Directors for Leadership Kentucky. Aaron resides in Russell Springs with his wife Sara and daughters Reese and Ellary.

Tolliny Rankins, Th.D.

Author, Co-Founder, Redemption100.Org

Tolliny Rankins Th.D is an Author and Adjunct Professor who taught at Northwest Florida State College for six years.As a Personal Enrichment Life Coach she’s conducted 28 Ways To A Better You workshops,28 Pitfalls Of A Man,Women’s empowerment lecturers & Reentry workshops.She’s led workshops from Florida to Alaska. She’s currently the published author of four books in print 28 Ways To A Better You;Exploring The Benefits of Self-Care, I’m Amazing,I’m Me, Let’s Pick A Fish & the co-author of 28 Pitfalls Of A Man; Confronting Traps Every Man Will Face. She is the host of “Silverlinings Today” a local radio show highlighting everyday people doing extraordinary things in the community.She is the co-founder of Redemption 100.Org a nonprofit organization committed to prison reform in the area of successful Wholistic Reentry. She is passionate regarding the restoration of marriages & families of those formerly incarcerated.She serves on the board of directors for Florida Restorative Justice Association & serves as an active member of the Florida Action Committee along with other Statewide & National organizations focusing on wholistically approaching prison reform. She’s loves being with family & friends along with spending time at the beach

Melissa Riccio

Project Manager, Inclusive Hiring, Center for Employment Opportunities

Melissa is an inclusive hiring professional whose focus is on providing opportunity, skill and hope for individuals navigating reentry after incarceration. With a goal of lasting change, Melissa works on both sides of the equation, by providing consultative services to employers seeking to implement and expand their fair chance hiring efforts, and by working directly with those impacted by the criminal justice system to increase their career readiness skills. Melissa’s experience includes 10 years of workforce development, including grant and program management, employer consulting, and career coaching for those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. Justice-impacted herself, Melissa considers herself fortunate to be in a position to effect change because of what she’s been through, rather than in spite of it. Melissa holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Dayton.

Dennis Ritchie

Senior Director of Reentry, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

Dennis Ritchie is the Senior Director of Reentry for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. Previously, he has served as the Reentry Director, Interim Director of Career Services, and Career Services Manager in the reentry field. In 2019, under Dennis’ leadership, Goodwill was awarded the Lucille Hurt Robuck Commitment to Corrections Award for its efforts in the reentry field. In 2023, Goodwill was awarded a Department of Labor Pathways Homes 4 Grant with reentry programming developed by him and his colleagues. Dennis created the expungement program at Goodwill, which has cleared over 7000 records across Kentucky. He has been involved in organizations focused on reentry, recidivism, and fair chance hiring as a member of the Greater Louisville Reentry Coalition, Bluegrass Reentry Coalition, National Criminal Justice Association, National Reentry Workforce Collaboration, Goodwill National Reentry Coalition, and Chairs the Opportunity Network within Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission. He graduated from Bradley University 1994 B.S. in Finance, University of Kentucky College of Law 1997 J.D. in law and was a sole practitioner specializing in criminal defense from 2006-2012.

Vanessa Rojas

Project Manager, Palomar Rising Scholars

Vanessa Rojas is an agent of change, a community organizer, and committed to abolishing systems of oppression. Having served four years in federal prison, she is pursuing a degree in Law, Public Policy, and Society while managing special projects at Palomar Community College in the office of the President. Vanessa is a motivational public speaker and advocate for criminal justice reform, working with grassroots organizations like FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) and Initiate Justice Action. In addition to her advocacy work, Vanessa is part of a national community of reentry experts. She is also a published author. She facilitates workshops and mentors women and men. Vanessa’s personal journey as a survivor of childhood trauma, domestic abuse, addiction, and incarceration drives her passion for promoting successful reintegration for individuals reentering society. As a mother and grandmother, Vanessa is dedicated to creating a more just and equitable world for future generations.

Elaine Ross

Director of Employment Services, Cara Collective

Elaine Ross serves as the Director of Employment Services at Cara Collective, and has been in workforce development for 8 years. In her current role, Elaine manages a team of 6 and guides our work with Chicagoland employers in helping them diversify their talent pipelines, while working intimately with job seekers to help them secure meaningful employment. These employers span across diverse industries and sizes, from healthcare to manufacturing, to hospitality and transportation. Prior to being in the workforce space, Elaine worked at Yelp and an education technology start up. She earned her Bachelors degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison and her Masters degree at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Deb Scheibler

Executive Director, Kansas WorkforceONE

As Executive Director of Kansas WorkforceONE, Deb Scheibler leads and directs workforce services in a 62-county area in Central and Western Kansas. Throughout her 24-year career in Workforce Development, Scheibler has held such roles as Case Manager, One-Stop Operator, Rapid Response Coordinator, Chief Fiscal Officer, Human Resources Director, Program Director, and currently serves as Executive Director of Kansas WorkforceONE since 2012. Prior to this, she spent time working in the private sector in communications systems management. She has a BA in Finance and Business from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS. She holds the Certified Workforce Development Professional certification through the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals. Deb Scheibler’s passion for serving customers with significant barriers has directed the Kansas WorkforceONE organization and its staff to work specifically to train and prepare job seekers with disabilities, justice involved individuals, and other significant barriers to employment. As a result, our programs have consistently been recognized for exceptional performance and as examples of best practices at both the state and national level.

Matthew Smith, PhD, MSW

Associate Dean and Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work

Dr. Matthew Smith is a social work scholar and behavioral interventionist who develops and evaluates technology-based tools with the goal of increasing sustainable employment for system impacted youth and adults.

Maurice Smith

Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice

Maurice Smith works as a Program Associate with Vera’s Unlocking Potential Initiative to help improve and expand access to postsecondary education for people in prison. He is based in the Brooklyn, NY office. In addition to providing high-quality Pell reinstatement implementation assistance to departments of corrections and Second Chance Pell colleges around the country, Maurice’s work enhances the professional development of college-in-prison program administrators and department of corrections education leadership, as the manager of Vera’s Corrections Education Leadership Academy.

Melanie G. Snyder, OWDS/OES, MHFA, MBA

Trauma/Reentry Consultant & Trainer, Melanie G Snyder Consulting

Melanie was Executive Director of Lancaster County’s (PA) reentry coalition for eight years & has served as a consultant to 18 Pennsylvania communities to develop reentry coalitions & programs. Her book, Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope and Humanity, details 30 years of restorative justice & reentry programs in Pennsylvania prisons. Her TED talk, Breaking Out of Prison Thinking ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ_B1g6o_Co), highlights connections between trauma, addiction, mental health & criminal justice system involvement. Melanie has been a featured speaker for over 200 audiences in 19 states on prisoner reentry, restorative justice, trauma, resilience & the criminal justice system. She has trained over 8000 reentry, criminal justice, human services & other professionals about trauma, resilience & trauma-informed care. She was a Baldwin Fellow from 2016-17, focused on trauma, resilience & trauma-informed communities. As Trauma Informed Specialist for Penn Medicine, she co-led a cross-sector trauma-informed community initiative & provided training, organizational assessments & technical assistance to over 30 agencies to become trauma informed. Melanie is a tireless & passionate advocate for trauma-informed policies & practices in all systems of care. Awards include Service to Humanity (Elizabethtown College) & Restorative Justice Achievement Award (Advoz).

Elizabeth Stiles, MPA

Program Manager, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry

Elizabeth Stiles has been working with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry for the past 11 years, including the past 7 spent with LMM’s Chopping for Change Program. Founded in 2015, the first program of its kind in Ohio, C4C allows currently incarcerated students to be transported to LMM’s campus for Culinary Arts training each day. By giving them the opportunity to normalize a re-entry mindset and build employable skills prior to release, C4C students have just a 3% recidivism rate (compared to Ohio’s average of 18% for women and over 30% for men). In her current role as Program Manager, Elizabeth leads C4C’s Academic administration, including scheduling, accreditation, managing teaching staff, ensuring student progress, tracking participant satisfaction, and organizing commencement exercises. She earned her master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from Cleveland State University in 2023 and completed the Women’s Leadership Program at Yale School of Management in 2024.

Noella Sudbury

Founder & CEO, RASA Legal

Noella graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2009 and has already had a full and diverse career. Following a clerkship for the Honorable Ronald Nehring of the Utah Supreme Court, she began her legal practice as a public defender, where she quickly developed a passion for criminal justice reform. In 2016, Noella was appointed by the Salt Lake County Council as the Director of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council for the County, and in that role, led the successful bipartisan legislative campaign to pass Utah’s Clean Slate law–a new law that automates the criminal record expungement process for more than 450,000 Utahns. Noella went on to found Clean Slate Utah, a non-profit to raise awareness of the automatic clearance law, and is the current CEO and Founder of Rasa Public Benefit Corporation, a new legal tech company that provides low-cost legal expungement services to people not eligible for automatic record clearance. Noella has received several honors and awards for her public service, including being recognized as a Young Alumna of the Year, by the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, the 2019 Woman of the Year by Utah Business Magazine, and as a Pioneer of the National Clean Slate Movement, from the National Clean Slate Initiative. In 2022, she was selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award by the Utah State Bar. In 2023, she was named by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 200 most dynamic female founders in America.

Assata Thomas

Executive Director, Philadelphia Office of Reentry Partnerships

Assata Thomas, Executive Director of the Office of Reentry Partnerships for the City of Philadelphia. She received a BA Degree in Africana Studies & Urban Studies from Rutgers University and her Masters of Restorative Justice from Vermont Law and Graduate School. Assata maintains an unflagging commitment to social justice and building a society emancipated from the socially inequitable system of mass incarceration; a society where even the most vulnerable communities have equal and unrestricted access to justice and to unqualified protection of their safety and security. She is a passionate advocate on behalf of those affected by mass incarceration; and, moreover, having lived through the experience of a felony conviction, is uniquely qualified to speak with credibility and authority to the issues facing all who have been affected by the system – such as the challenges faced by returning citizens for a fair chance at social rehabilitation, healthy reintegration back into society and the chance to (re)design their futures and destinies. Assata’s personal trajectory and hard-won successes fuel her passion to help others, and they offer a concrete and inspiring example for others that, despite the odds, success is possible. Assata partners with several grassroot organizations grounded in social justice, criminal justice reform and ending death by incarceration. She continues to demonstrate her civic advocacy through her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Carla Tilchin, PhD

Assistant Scientist, Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Tilchin is an Assistant Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and has served as a technical consultant for PIVOT since 2021. Her expertise is in mixed-methods evaluations of carceral system re-entry and community violence intervention programs. She designed and manages PIVOT’s database to assist in both case management tracking and evidence-based decision making, and serves as the Co-Principal Investigator on a BJA funded quasi-experimental evaluation of PIVOT.

Molly Verghese

Workplace Solutions Lead, Cara Collective (Cara Plus)

Molly Verghese serves as the Workplace Solutions Lead at Cara Collective, a workforce development agency and group of social enterprises that work to break the cycle of poverty through the power and purpose of employment. In her role, Molly helps elevate inclusive employment practices, working with organizations to better attract, hire, and cultivate untapped talent. Before joining Cara Collective, Molly she served as a Talent Strategy Business Partner at Wayfair, where she helped business leaders strategize around building, retaining, and advancing their team. Molly is a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

Cindy Villarreal

Career Navigator / OWDS, Kansas Department of Corrections

Cindy Villarreal, Kansas Department of Corrections, is an Offender Workforce Development and Employment Retention Specialist and certified trainer, with 25 years’ experience in the field. As part of the KDOC Reentry team, she prepares justice-involved individuals to become productive and valued employees and responsible citizens, and this is her passion. She first started her Workforce Development career in the non-profit sector, working with current or formerly incarcerated individuals in both group settings and individual meetings, finally transitioning fully to the Kansas Department of Corrections in 2013. Throughout her time, she has worked to develop new initiatives in this area and has developed statewide partnerships with governmental, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations to further enhance successful outcomes, as well as providing outreach to businesses to promote Second Chance and Fair Chance Hiring. Her philosophy is that in order to achieve success, it is critical to use a holistic approach addressing multiple needs concurrently.  Cindy has presented at many levels, including local, regional, and national offender employment conferences, where her workshop was reviewed as being one of the best on the subject due to the practical advice and techniques given towards success in Second Chance and Fair Chance Employment.

Kweilin (Pipkin) Waller

Senior Program Manager, American Insitutes for Research (AIR) Equity Initiative

Kweilin (Pipkin) Waller is a senior program officer at the AIR Equity Initiative, where she applies her expertise in reentry workforce development to bridge research with actionable solutions. She oversees the Equity Initiative’s grant portfolio focused on workforce development, community health, and well-being. Additionally, Waller collaborates on initiatives integrating workforce development with public safety and justice, including supporting individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Before joining AIR, Waller served as Interim Project Director at Advocates for Human Potential’s Workforce Innovation Lab for Behavioral Health and Human Services. She managed nationwide workforce development projects in that capacity, delivering consultation, training, and coaching to build healthier systems, organizations, and workforces. With over 18 years of experience in local government, Waller was previously the Deputy Human Services Director for the City of Phoenix. She led Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs to equip job seekers with the skills, education, and support necessary for success. Her work was mainly dedicated to aiding those facing significant barriers to employment, including individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Christopher Watler

Chief External Affairs Officer, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)

Christopher Watler is the Chief External Affairs Officer at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). In this role, Mr. Watler is responsible for overseeing CEO’s national fund development operations, communications initiatives, and various special projects dedicated to advancing CEO’s mission. He previously served as Executive Director of CEO’s New York State program overseeing CEO’s flagship New York City program and Upstate New York Offices. Prior to joining CEO, Chris worked for the Center for Court Innovation in several key roles. Chris holds a BS in political science from the State University of New York at Purchase and an MPA from John Jay College.

Phil Weiser

Attorney General, Colorado

Phil Weiser is serving his second term as the 39th attorney general of the state of Colorado. Since becoming the state’s chief legal officer in 2019, Attorney General Weiser has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the people of Colorado, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy, and promoting justice for all. Through engagement and collaborative problem solving, the Colorado Department of Law has achieved significant milestones under Weiser’s leadership. Protecting consumers is one of Weiser’s key priorities. In 2019, he worked with the state legislature to strengthen the Colorado Consumer Protection Act to give the attorney general’s office more tools to crack down on scams, as well as unfair and deceptive business practices. High-profile investigations have resulted in more than $250 million in refunds, credits, and debt relief for Colorado consumers. Holding drug manufacturers and distributors accountable for their roles in creating and fueling the opioid crisis is a hallmark of Weiser’s work, including securing over $750 million in settlement funds for treatment, recovery, and prevention education programs across the state. Colorado was the first state recognized by the Principles Coalition led by faculty at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for the state’s planning and collaboration with local governments in addressing the opioid crisis. Weiser is dedicated to improving the criminal justice system and advancing public safety. Peace officer training and recruitment is a core part of Weiser’s agenda, and as the chair of the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, he has directed the first update to the state’s officer training curriculum in 30 years. During Weiser’s tenure, the department’s Criminal Justice Section has prioritized investigating and prosecuting auto and retail theft, human trafficking, and drug trafficking organized crime rings. Additionally, Weiser has spearheaded solutions to address recidivism by supporting businesses that hire people leaving prison to create opportunities and reduce crime. Weiser also has advocated fervently for victims of crime, including the first-ever enforcement of the state’s victims’ rights law, investigating child sex abuse by Catholic clergy, defending Colorado’s stalking law at the U.S. Supreme Court, and addressing the scourge of domestic violence. Colorado’s natural beauty is core to our way of life, and Weiser’s commitment to protecting our land, air, and water has led to several actions. These actions include leading the effort to secure more than $6.6 million in settlement funds for natural resources damages in the Bonita Peak Mining District in southwestern Colorado, shoring up the state’s interests in negotiations over the future of the Colorado River, and fighting for statewide compensation for harm caused by PFAS “forever chemicals” in our water. He has also successfully fought in courts for clean car standards and the federal Methane Rule. A stalwart defender of equality, Weiser champions reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and the freedom to vote in state and federal courts. He argued landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Colorado Department of State v. Baca, where the court affirmed that the states have the exclusive authority to appoint and, if necessary, remove presidential electors when they violate their pledges. Weiser has made youth mental health a central focus in his second term. Actively leading multistate investigations into Meta and TikTok for their impact on our children’s well-being, he also sued Juul Labs, securing $31.7 million for vaping cessation, prevention, and youth mental health programs. Before his time as attorney general, Weiser was the dean of the University of Colorado Law School. He also served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justices Byron R. White and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice in the Clinton and Obama administrations. The son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, Weiser is deeply committed to the American Dream and ensuring opportunity for all Coloradans. Weiser lives in Denver with his wife, Dr. Heidi Wald, and their two children.

Jason Whyte

Founder, President & CEO, National Reentry Workforce Collaborative (NRWC)

Jason Whyte is the Founder, President & CEO of the National Reentry Workforce Collaborative (NRWC), a network of organizations that spans across 173 cities in 40 states. He is responsible for casting the vision and guiding the collaborative’s strategic direction, leading the creation of innovative resources to close gaps in the reentry workforce field, and driving value to stakeholders that engage in NRWC. Jason served as the Director of Partnership Strategy at the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL). In this role, he develops strategies and builds relationships to expand the organization’s work in Fair Chance Hiring. Before joining the LCCL, Jason led operations and strategy for the OIC of America national network, where he secured over $30M in federal and foundation funding; replicated national initiatives, programs and projects that support the organization’s ambitions of breaking the cycle of poverty; and expanded a national reentry program from one to ten cities. Jason served on a committee that provided expert advice to the Office of America Innovation at the White House. Jason holds a BS in Business Administration from Biola University and an MBA in Economic Development from Eastern University.

Monique Williams

Senior Manager, Community & Social Impact, American Family Insurance

Monique Williams is the Senior Manager at American Family Insurance. Monique utilizes evidence-based practices to provide opportunities to underserved populations. With 15+ years in federal regulations, policies, and procedures that are necessary for managing programs and funding that serve several special population groups including veterans, the historically unemployed or underemployed, justice impacted individuals (including those reentering communities from incarceration), incumbent workers, and low-skilled or low-wage workers. A Texas native, Monique holds a Masters in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University. Monique is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) in the State of Texas.

Rico X

CEO , Project Return Inc.

Rico X has established a 23-year career dedicated to serving communities. He has worked with various youth development and community initiatives in Nashville, Detroit and Philadelphia. Rico is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Project Return Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving formerly incarcerated individuals. Prior to this role, he served for ten years as Vice President with the YMCA of Middle TN. Rico is active with a number of other organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. (Nashville Alumni Chapter), a steering committee member of the Alliance for an Affordable Nashville, a board member of Nashville’s Homelessness Planning Council, and volunteer for expungement clinics in the Nashville area. A native of Louisville, KY, Mr. X is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, with a B.S. in Africana Studies. He also earned a Master in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Rico’s brand of leadership and work ethic can be summed up by the following quote: “Don’t work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition.”

Armando Yanez

Researcher, Mathematica

Armando Yañez (M.S. Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon University, H. John Heinz III College) is a Researcher at Mathematica with experience collecting and analyzing qualitative data for several evaluations of workforce development, criminal and juvenile justice, and youth employment programs. He is also experienced in conducting in-depth qualitative interviews, and focus groups with youth, justice involved individuals, and populations with significant barriers to employment. Since joining Mathematica in 2016, Mr. Yañez has worked on a range of projects in training and employment, criminal justice, early childhood, education, and family support. He currently oversees the implementation studies for the Pathway Home and Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development evaluations, which examine the provision of employment-related reentry services to people before and after their release from incarceration.

Lester Young

Executive Director, Path2Redemption Training & Consulting, LLC.

At the age of 19, Lester Young was given a life sentence. During his time in prison, Lester struggled with finding redemption. While journaling he asked himself this question, “What is the footprint you want to leave in this world?” It was then that he realized his purpose was to be “that” voice to help at-risk youth. With approval from the warden, Lester along with the prison chaplain began meeting to create classes to mentor fellow incarcerated individuals. Lester was released on parole on May 15, 2014. Even after his release, the outlines of his programs are still being taught in prison. Mr. Young is setting a new standard for “living a life of redemption”. In 2020, he received a FULL pardon from the State of South Carolina Probation and Parole Board. The following self-help books are Lester’s personal stories of how he was able to address triggers that were affecting his personal growth: • “The 5 Stages of Incarceration: How I Found my Path2Redemption while Serving Life” • “The 5 Stages of Growth: How I transformed my Life while Serving Life” • “The Path2Redemption Anthology: Strategic Lessons from Mentors to Empower the Youth” • “The 5 Keys to Reentry: A Handbook for Life after Incarceration” For more information on his journey, visit http://path2redemption.org/.