I became a stockbroker at 25 without a college degree and went on to launch and manage a hedge fund by the age of 32, raising $140 million. However, placing pride above integrity I found myself facing a 40-year prison sentence. I served 14 years and earned an early release for good behavior through Colorado’s House Bill 23-1037. This bill reduced my sentence because I had completed an associate’s degree, which I believe demonstrates my commitment to transforming my life from the inside out. During my incarceration, I devoted myself to personal growth. I read hundreds of books, trained service dogs, and pursued higher education. These experiences reshaped my mindset, built resilience, and laid the foundation for a new beginning.
I was released to a halfway house in July 2024 and immediately enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver. Since then, I have been inducted into Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Association honor society), earned Summa Cum Laude honors, and made the Dean’s List. I am also a two-time recipient of the Robley Rhine Leadership Award—earned once during my incarceration and again as an on-campus student. In 2025, I was nominated for both the Lael Porter Community Service Award and the Sonja Foss Award for Academic Excellence.
I have co-authored “Educating Incarcerated Individuals: An Easy Choice” published in Westword and am a long-time contributor to Captured Words/Free Thoughts, a journal showcasing the voices of incarcerated writers.
Today, I am a passionate advocate for prison education reform. Backed by research from the RAND Corporation which shows that incarcerated individuals who receive college education are 43% less likely to reoffend and that every dollar invested saves five dollars in recidivism costs, I believe education is not only a path to redemption, but a powerful tool for public safety and community transformation.