Dr. Amber McDonnell is an educator and advocate with 18 years of experience in higher education, program management, and justice reform. She earned her EdD in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado Denver, focusing on higher education programs in prison and the promotion of inclusive learning environments. Dr. McDonnell currently serves as the Director of Board Operations for the University of Colorado’s Board of Regents, where she organizes and conducts board meetings while managing logistics and stakeholder engagement. Additionally, she has consulted on initiatives like the Higher Education in Prison Research Infrastructure project with Ithaka S+R, enhancing research and collaboration to improve educational access for incarcerated individuals. Her personal connection to the justice system has deepened her commitment to equity and effective rehabilitation. Dr. McDonnell aims to empower incarcerated students by creating educational opportunities that promote personal and systemic change.