Team
NATIONAL TEAM
Andrew Glazier
President & CEO
Experience: Defy National Chief Program Officer for the national organization, Executive Director of Defy Southern California Chapter, Senior Managing Director at City Year Los Angeles, Pomona College (Bachelor’s in International Relations), UCLA Anderson School of Management (MBA).
Expertise: Program excellence, organizational management, scaling.
Believes: That everyone deserves a fair chance.
John Garofolo
Chief Financial Officer
Experience: Bucknell University (Bachelor’s in Business Administration), Kellogg Graduate School of Management (MBA), Ernst & Young, IBM, & Shepherd Partners, CPA since 1992 (inactive).
Expertise: Financial transformation, turnaround/restructuring advisory, capital sourcing, and M&A advisory services.
Believes: Economic independence has a positive effect for generations.
Ufoma Okoriogha
Sr. Manager, Data Systems and Operations
Experience: California State University Los Angeles (Bachelor’s in Arts Psychology), Los Angeles Trade Technical College (Behavioral and Social Sciences), California State University Los Angeles, Social Psychology Research Laboratory, Career Guidance Assistant Manager (A Place Called Home), Data Science Fellow (The Knowledge House)
Expertise: Data Analysis, Program Management, Administration.
Believes: We can learn to extend compassion to people regardless of whether or not they shared their life story with us. Our outward appearances don’t always tell the story of the experiences that lay deep within us.
Julie Jackson-Forsberg
Vice President, Learning
Experience: School founder and educator since 1996. Hamilton College (Bachelor’s in Creative Writing and Chemistry), Northeastern University (graduate work in Composition Studies), and RIT Saunders College of Business (EMBA).
Expertise: Curriculum development, writing, strategy, and program development.
Believes: That is my mission as an educator to help maximize each individual’s potential.
Christine Castillo
Vice President, National Programs
Experience: Director of Learning and Development at Equitas Academy Charter Schools & City Year Los Angeles; Program delivery and management at City Year Los Angeles; Organizational leadership development consultant, Certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for HR (School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University); University of California, Santa Cruz (B.A. Psychology, Minor Education)
Expertise: Program development and management; Strategic leadership development; Sustainable system building; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic planning; Group facilitation
Believes: From a distance we can’t hear the nuances or perspectives of people who we want to collaborate with and advocate for. There is power in proximity.
Carla Juarez
Manager, Development and Communications
Experience: Editor and Partnerships Coordinator at Sustainable Baddie, Development and Communications Manager at City Hearts, Development and Communications Coordinator at Executive Service Corps, Development Assistant at Heart of LA, Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Expertise: Grant writing and fundraising, copyediting, project management, event management
Believes: it’s important to have empathy for each other so that we can continue to grow and prosper
Kalena Schoen
Manager, Graphic Design
Experience: Graphic Designer at Uncommon Goods, Junior Graphic Designer at Penguin Random House's Crown Publishing Group, Print Assistant Intern at SVA's Visual Arts Press, School of Visual Arts (Bachelor's of Fine Arts).
Expertise: Printing, packaging, graphic design, branding, video editing, creative direction.
Believes: "In the particular lies the universal."—Victore
Mariah Dickinson
Vice President, Site Operations
Experience: Consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton, program delivery and management at The Future Project, teaching at Teach for America. American University (Bachelor’s in International Relations).
Expertise: Communications, project management, systems creation and implementation.
Believes: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."—MLK
Yehudah Pryce
Sr. Director, National Mental Health & Well-Being Programs
Experience: Clinical Social Worker at the Orange County Young Adult Court; psychotherapist at Beit T’Shuvah residential addiction treatment center; Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) Program Manager at Turning Point; Chair of Unchained Scholars at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; Adams State University (B.A. Sociology, emphasis in Social Welfare); University of Southern California (MSW); Simmons University (DSW-C); 16 years lived experience of incarceration
Expertise: Case Conceptualization and Assessments, Personal Development, Community Engagement, Smart Decarceration
Believes: Community members with an incarceration experience deserve a dignified pathway that empowers them towards self-actualization.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TEAM
Salena Sewell
Manager, Career Readiness & Reentry
Experience: Social service sector work, including several employment specialist roles.
Expertise: Crisis prevention; harm reduction; diversity, equity, and inclusion; employment services.
Believes: Given the right tools, resources, and motivation, everyone can be self-sufficient and live a productive life.
Scott Taylor
Manager, Prison Programs
Experience: Northwestern University (BS in Radio-Television-Film), Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management (MBA), Fuller Theological Seminary (MA in Theology), Episcopal Deacon, Board-certified Clinical Chaplain (CPSP), twenty years’ experience in brand management and consulting.
Expertise: Strategic business consulting, creative marketing solutions, chaplaincy.
Believes: The arc of the moral universe is long and bends toward justice, but only if we bend it.
Southern California Team
Quan Huynh
Executive Director
Experience: Senior Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs, Program Manager of Defy SoCal, CEO and Founder of Jade Janitors.
Expertise: Community engagement, team building, business development and relations, hustling.
Believes: Every human being is worth salvaging.
Rosemary Jaramillo
Reentry Case Manager
Experience: Case Manager at America's Job Center of California, LA RISE Orientation/ Intake Specialist, Job Developer, Customer Service and Resource Representative, Job Placement Specialist, Substance Abuse and Anger Management Counselor.
Expertise: Workforce development, case management, customer service, data management and reporting.
Believes: The more you know, the more you can change. “GIVE A SECOND CHANCE.”
David Morin
Manager, Bakersfield Programs
Experience: Poet, Death Doula, Producer and Host of the Art 2 Heart Podcast. International sales account manager at YKK, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Timor-Leste (2015-2017). B.A. Psychology from University of the Pacific.
Expertise: Writing, communications, spoken word performer, writing workshop facilitator, interviewing and active listening, community engagement, peer facilitation, mentorship, space holding.
Believes: “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.” - Regina Brett
Bree Viscaina
Sr. Manager, Volunteer Programs
Experience: Youth Advocate at the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade; Youth Bizcamp Intern at the Los Angeles Urban League; Team Leader & Student Success Coach at City Year LA; Youth Development Practitioner & Development Team Ambassador at City Year LA; UC, Santa Barbara (Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Secondary Education)
Expertise: Service, people development, mentorship, communication, empathy
Believes: Even when there’s nothing else to do, there’s still something you can do.
Jason Holland
Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs
Experience: Credible messenger at Anti-Recidivism Coalition, clerk for the state of California, author of Move Your Mountain Program, peer facilitator at Defy Ventures, education in business and social & behavioral sciences.
Expertise: Group facilitation, public speaking, coaching and mentoring, training.
Believes: Miracles can happen in your life–you just have to put yourself in position to receive them.
Marianne Knai
Sr. Manager, Programs
Experience: Prison Policy doctoral research, JD (USC), Clinical program MSW (Memorial University), mental health programming and administration (Royal Canadian Navy)
Expertise: Policy, Program development, team development and practical jokes.
Believes: “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
― Nelson Mandela
Illinois Team
Melissa O’Dell
Executive Director
Experience: Defy Director of Prison Engagement and Admissions; Director of CEO YNL, California. Program Director, Community Assessment and Services Center. Franklin & Marshall College (Bachelor’s in Government and Women’s Studies).
Expertise: Social service program delivery, evidence informed practice, criminal and juvenile justice reform
Believes: Hope, empathy, community and compassion can thrive in the most unlikeliest of places.
Christopher Harrison
Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs
Experience: Founder and Co-CEO of BlueSky Financials LLC, Senior Life Coach at I Am Able Center For Family Development. Career & Retention Coach at READI Chicago, Certified Financial Coach (Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (Crisis Prevention Institute).
Expertise: Community engagement, facilitation, motivational speaking, cognitive behavioral interventions/therapy, connecting service providers, case management
Believes: “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”—Disraeli
Kira Kyle
Sr. Manager, Prison Programs
Experience: Prison Program Facilitator for Defy Ventures Illinois at Kewanee Re-Entry Center and Logan Correctional Center, Lead Digital Architect and Radio Show Host at WCIC, Owner/Photographer at Kira Kwon Photojournalism, Freelance Web Designer
Expertise: Empathy, relationship building, planning and communication, teacher-facilitating, digital design, entrepreneurship, fundraising, public speaking, leadership
Believes: Empathy is the cornerstone of restoration. No one has to be perfect, and none of us are.
Malaki Crayton
Manager, Career Readiness & Reentry
Experience: Masters in Theology, floor manager State of Illinois ICI, published author
Expertise: Justice impacted mental health, program facilitation within facilities for over 20 years, youth mentorship, public speaking
Believes: Inspire others and you will be inspired.
Pennsylvania Team
Michelle Campbell
Executive Director
Experience: Organizational development consultant for non-profits, leadership roles in non-profits, expertise in basic adult education and workforce development, criminal justice work, University of Pennsylvania (Bachelor’s in Economics), University of Virginia (Juris Doctor).
Expertise: Organizational development; diversity, equity, and inclusion facilitation; trauma-informed practices; mediation
Believes: The golden rule—treat others the way you want to be treated.
Khia Naylor
Program Manager, Pennsylvania
Experience: Case management, job development, reentry planning with Philadelphia FIGHT’S Institute for Community Justice (ICJ), class facilitator, education advisor, curriculum development with The LEAD Fellowship at Eastern State Penitentiary. Master life coach. Owner K. Naylor Consulting, Ride with Cinch.
Expertise: Reentry planning and programming, business and non-profit development, coaching, adult education and program development.
Believes: I no longer accept the things I cannot change. I change the things I cannot accept.
Tri-State Team
Jeanette Pineiro
Executive Director
Experience: Senior Program Manager of Defy Post Release Program, Operations Manager at The Navarra Group, Cornell University (Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology & Communications)
Expertise: Logistics & organization, communication, project management.
Believes: Your failures don’t define who
you are.
Michael Lee
Manager, Prison Programs
Experience: Development Executive for AppleTV+, Customer Education Specialist for Opal Labs, Training Instructor for Esteé Lauder Companies, Creative/Mentor at Apple Retail, Animator for SYFY/Nickelodeon/MTV, UCLA (Professional Program in Screenwriting), Yale University (BA in Art).
Expertise: Facilitation, Project Management, Coaching, Content Creation.
Believes: “I believe that every person is born with talent.” - Maya Angelou
Kyle O'Connor
Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs
Experience: Account Coordinator, Convene; Group Sales Associate, Legends at One World Observatory; Syracuse University (Bachelor's in Sport Management with a Minor in Political Science)
Expertise: Sales, marketing, communication, and team-building.
Believes: If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. (Booker T. Washington)
Clement Benedict
Manager, Career Readiness & Reentry
Experience: Defy Entrepreneur in Training (EIT), Defy peer facilitator, sales professional, account manager, program manager, customer service specialist
Expertise: Sales & marketing, team leadership, public speaking, critical thinking
Believes: Be the change you want to see!
UTAH Team
John Jackson
Executive Director
Experience: Director of Fundraising and Sales, Director of Curriculum Development, at Hustle 2.0.
Expertise: Community building, networking, relationship building, developing effective and relatable programs that serve incarcerated people.
Believes: You are not obligated to complete the work, but you are not free to desist from it.
Washington Team
Jordan Pike
Program Manager
Experience: Higher Education – Administration, Academic Advising, Recruiting,
Partnership Development, and Professional Staff L&D. Service Industry – Restaurant
and Catering Management, Sales, Banking and Financial Services. Freelance Writer
and Content Engineering. Washington State University (BA in Humanities & Business Administration; BA in History), Southern New Hampshire University (MA in Strategic Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations).
Expertise: Sales & marketing, team leadership, public speaking, critical thinking
Believes: Be the change you want to see!
GOVERNING Board members
Brian Korb
Chairman
John Dvor
Marcus Glover
David Sprott
Sonia Kahlon
April Tam Smith
Ariel Jaduszliwer
Nicole Miller
Coss Marte
Jonathan T.D. Neil
Kerry Bennett
Secretary
