Shelley Winner is a former top Microsoft sales representative who left the corporate world to dedicate herself full-time to Winner’s Circle, a company she founded to create pathways of opportunity for justice-involved individuals. As a passionate Restorative Justice Advocate, Shelley is committed to reducing recidivism, breaking down barriers to employment, and advocating for the rights and dignity of those impacted by the criminal legal system.
Drawing from her own lived experience, Shelley understands the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face when reentering the workforce. Her work is deeply personal and powerfully informed by overcoming systemic bias, which fuels her drive to educate companies with the hopes to transform their hiring practices and promote inclusive employment. She founded Winner’s Circle, an in-prison rehabilitative and vocational training program that equips incarcerated individuals with real-world business skills.
Shelley’s advocacy has reached national audiences through her TED Talk and a featured role in a PBS documentary series, where she shares her story of resilience and reintegration. She is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on topics such as fair chance hiring, restorative justice, and creating equity in the workplace.
At the intersection of lived experience and leadership, Shelley’s mission is clear: to build a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive—regardless of their past.
