Welcome to
Winner's Circle
Creating a lifelong circle of support for previously incarcerated looking to build a new future.
Winner’s Circle is not only a program that exists inside the justice system, but is an ecosystem for returning workers that provides hiring opportunities, coaching and mentorship, and a peer network throughout the life of their career.
How We Work
We have brought together a three-step process where we consider the needs of both the inmate and the future employer, providing a measurable pathway to success. Additionally, we have partnered with various industries to provide skill training, guiding individuals towards interview preparedness and becoming skilled workers.
Whole Person
Winner’s Circle supports the whole person by addressing emotional, social, and professional development, ensuring each individual is equipped not just to work, but to thrive. Through mentorship, peer support, and personal coaching, we invest in long-term growth and confidence.
Whole Education
Our education model goes beyond job training — it includes soft skills, emotional intelligence, and practical knowledge tailored to real-world environments. We believe that meaningful education must prepare individuals not only to perform, but to lead and adapt.
Whole Opportunity
We create whole opportunity by connecting returning workers to sustainable careers, not just jobs. With industry partnerships, employer engagement, and a focus on career readiness, we open doors that lead to long-term employment and upward mobility.
TEDX - Hiring the formerly incarcerated is best for your team
What if you were known for the worst mistake you ever made? What if that mistake haunted you in all aspects of your life, including ever being able to find a job? Shelley Winner details how she overcame the statistics stacked against her and is helping others do the same. This Talk was produced in partnership with Sirna Productions.
PBS - How arrest records become 'invisible handcuffs'
More than 70 million Americans have some sort of criminal or arrest record. For many, that can prevent them from passing a background check and getting a job. Amna Nawaz profiles one woman’s fight to overcome her past, and prove herself at one of the biggest tech companies in the world. It’s part of our Searching for Justice series, which looks at the challenges after incarceration.
Smart Recruiters - The Power of Inclusion
Sometimes the off-path takes people with grit to achieve greatness. The session will share the story of two underdogs who took extremely difficult paths to success. It will also share 10 things you could do to be at an inclusive and accessible organization.
System Reset: Finding Work After Incarceration
Shelley Winner is a restorative justice activist, keynote speaker, and a product specialist at one of the largest tech companies in the world. Shelley shared her own story finding a job after returning from incarceration, including the many hurdles overcame how she ultimately made it to where she is today.
Shelley Winner
Winner's Circle Co-Founder
