Breaking the Record: New Job Pathways for Returning Citizens
From housing to education to healthcare, returning citizens face challenging and daunting barriers. Access to meaningful employment is one of the most significant obstacles. As more of our neighbors return home, communities and companies must support their efforts to become contributing members of society. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion focused on solutions from the perspective of a community-based organization, representatives of the public and private sector, and applied research.
This conversation featuring executives and advocates committed to creating employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals is presented as part of Rework Reentry, a new partnership between The Aspen Institute and Slack looking to increase tech industry support of employment for returning citizens.
Panelists:
- Angela Collier | Director, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Walmart
- Sandra A. Gaddy | CEO, Women’s Resource Center
- Brandon Fontenot Johnson | Director of Policy, Division of Social Justice & Racial Equity, City of Birmingham
- Jeffrey D. Korzenik | Author, Untapped Talent
Moderated by Dr. Douglas E. Wood | Director, Criminal Justice Reform Initiative, The Aspen Institute
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Panelist Bios:
Angela Collier
Director, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Walmart
Angela has been with Walmart for more than 11 years focusing on culture, diversity, equity and inclusion, operational effectiveness and philanthropic investments in communities in the U.S. and Canada. In her current role she leads the implementation of culture, diversity, equity and inclusion principles into the ways Walmart recruits, hires, trains, promotes and retains its own workforce and she is also the chief of staff of Walmart’s Criminal Justice and Health Shared Value Networks.
In her prior roles in city government, at a national nonprofit and at a leading insurance company she managed millions in federal grants that supported the operation of city facilities and raised funds for research and programming. In addition, she trained hundreds of employees and volunteers, managed the national accreditation process for the local parks system and ensured compliance with medical audit and review rules and regulations. Angela has a master’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Leadership and Management from Harding University.
Sandra A. Gaddy
CEO, Women’s Resource Center
Sandra Gaddy serves as CEO of Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Having previously served as vice president of advancement for Inner City Christian Federation-ICCF, and chief communication and development officer for Mel Trotter Ministries. Prior to her nonprofit work, Sandra spent 15 years in banking including serving as a Vice President in Retail, Business Banking and Wealth Management. Sandra is a passionate servant leader and social justice advocate to her core. With over 20 years of leadership experience she brings extensive expertise in team development, strategic planning, forming collaborative partnerships and fund mobilization. She earned her executive MBA degree from Grand Valley State University and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cornerstone University.
Some of her professional and community activities include:
- Hope College Board of Trustees and Executive Committee
- Mary Free Bed Hospital Board of Trustees
- Grand Rapids Black Women Connect Council
- Inforum of Michigan Regional Council, West Michigan, Co-Chair
- Grand Action Advisory Committee
- Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter
Brandon Fontenot Johnson
Director of Policy, Division of Social Justice & Racial Equity, City of Birmingham
Brandon Fontenot Johnson is a political economist and jurist who has spent his career working at the intersection of social justice, public policy, and urban planning to create social change rooted in equity and Human Rights. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Arts, with a major in Political Science from Morehouse College and his Jurist Doctor from DePaul University. Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Mr. Johnson has deep roots in Alabama with his family having lived in the state since at least the 1800’s and in the Birmingham area since the late 1930’s including Brighton, Booker Heights, Ensley, Fairfield, and Smithfield.
Currently, Mr. Johnson serves as the Director of Policy for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity. Prior to joining the Woodfin Administration, Mr. Johnson practiced law and served as Director of Policy for the Westside Justice Center. Before starting his law practice, Mr. Johnson was Executive Director of the Washington Park Consortium, a principal with Catalyst Global Strategies, a senior consultant at Flinn Consultants, a project manager for “Reconnecting Neighborhoods” with the Metropolitan Planning Council, and served as a policy analyst in the Illinois General Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Emil Jones, Jr.
Jeffrey D. Korzenik
Author, Untapped Talent
Jeff Korzenik is Chief Investment Strategist for one of the nation’s largest banks, where he is responsible for the investment strategy and the allocation of over $40 billion in assets. A regular guest on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg TV, his perspective on the economy, markets, manufacturing and the workforce are frequently cited in the financial and business press. His writings on economics and public policy have been published in Newsweek, Barron’s, Forbes, The Hill, the Chicago Tribune and other outlets.
Jeff is the author of the groundbreaking book, “Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community” (HarperCollins Leadership, April 2021), which shares the business case and best practices for hiring people with criminal records. In recognition of his work on the interaction of the criminal justice system and the labor markets, Jeff was elected to membership in the Council of Criminal Justice. Jeff is a graduate of Princeton University, with an A.B. in Economics and a Certificate of Proficiency in Near Eastern Studies.