OUR LEADERS

Our leaders embody a commitment to transformative healing, guide others with compassion and integrity, and foster a supportive community dedicated to personal growth and societal change.

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There’s a lot of people that were supposed to die in prison, who are out here living productive lives being fathers, and brothers, and sons because of Inside Circle.

STAFF

Our team is small but mighty, and it’s growing.

Our team of facilitators and organization-builders bring our deep attention and focus to communities across the country.

Eldra Jackson, III

Eldra Jackson, III

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of personal development, effective “rehabilitation” and turning around toxic masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving youth, and acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor. 

Eldra Jackson, III

Felix Mickens

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIST

A management professional with more than 25 years of experience in juvenile justice, Felix has an extensive background in planning and managing cross-functional corrections operations. Serving as Deputy Executive Director for Operations within the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) for over 10 years, Felix oversaw all juvenile secure-care facilities, parole and re-entry services, classification, training, and the JJC’s gang management unit. Today, he brings this experience to bear at Inside Circle, working to expand our reach and support network within the justice-involved juvenile population.

Eldra Jackson, III

Aaron Burris

FACILITATOR & MENTOR

A shining example of the power of our work, Aaron once believed he was going to die in prison living a life defined by strife, chaos, drugs, gangs, and violence. Inside Circle changed all of that, opening his heart in a new direction and supporting his transformation into the leader he is today. After serving 22 years of a life sentence, he is an entrepreneur, husband, father, youth advocate, and student. He is deeply dedicated to bringing the recovery and transformational healing that saved his life in prison to the world.

Eldra Jackson, III

Verónica Vargas

Youth Justice & Reentry SpecialisT

A focused leader with over 20 years of experience developing and executing re-entry and therapeutic programming, Verónica Vargas has led work for agencies, foundations, and domestic and international settings, including USAID. Born in Cudahy, California, she did her undergraduate studies at Humboldt State University and graduate work at the University of New Mexico. Veronica’s interests in re-entry programs and marginalized populations stem from her upbringing, where she was raised in a disabled single-parent, immigrant home and witnessed firsthand the impact of gangs on families and communities.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our dedicated Board provides oversight, governance, guidance, and support for the organization. Our Board meets Quarterly.

Eldra Jackson, III

Ari rosen

BOARD MEMBER

A down-to-earth chef and restaurateur,  Ari is the founder of two successful restaurants and one nonprofit, Corazon Healdsburg, in Healdsburg, CA. Profoundly impacted by his experience at an Inside Circle weekend intensive in 2017, he’s been an active community member ever since and currently supports our prison program in Vacaville, Ca where he facilitates straight from the heart. He credits our work with transforming his life and is now actively working to expand our impact. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.
Eldra Jackson, III

Eldra Jackson III

BOARD MEMBER

A writer and sought after public speaker on the topics of personal development, effective “rehabilitation” and turning around toxic masculinity, Eldra brings clarity of purpose, mission focus, and inspiration to his role at Inside Circle. He was an inmate at New Folsom Prison when he found Inside Circle and began the inner personal journey that eventually led to his release in 2014 and his current leadership role. A living example of successful rehabilitation and re-entry, Eldra has dedicated his free time on the outside to serving youth, and acting as a facilitator, trainer, and mentor.

Eldra Jackson, III

GORDON BROWN

VICE CHAIR

A seasoned business leader and non-profit steward, Gordon’s background is in real estate where he spent over 40 years as a successful investor. Most recently, he founded the Brown Investment Group and dedicates much of his time to causes ranging from the environment to social justice to personal growth and accountability. He has served various non-profits over the years including Authentic Leadership Center and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  He holds a B.A. in communications from CSU, Chico and is a graduate of the Stanford University School of Media

Eldra Jackson, III

Greg Mellor

SECRETARY

Greg is Catholic Chaplain at California State Prison, Sacramento. Prior to this position, he spent over ten years working as a high school and university campus minister. Greg also serves as a spiritual director and is working toward enneagram teacher certification.  He was first introduced to Inside Circle when he served as a volunteer chaplain at CSP-Sac as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in 2004-2005.  Greg holds a BA in Philosophy from Loyola University Maryland, an MA in Christian Spirituality from Loyola University, Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Xavier University.
Eldra Jackson, III

Jeff Buenrostro

TREASURER

Jeff is Founder and COO of Metric Theory, a digital marketing company, and an instructor of Interpersonal Dynamics at Stanford University. Previously, Jeff was an investor and now runs his own consulting practice, Engaged Management, guiding company cultures through transformation and complexity and generating optimal results by emphasizing social and emotional alignment. On the Board of Directors at Boys to Men and Cultivate the Karass, Jeff holds an MBA from Stanford and a BS in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt.

Eldra Jackson, III

Lisa Siglain Blum

BOARD MEMBER

Lisa is dedicated to serving Inside Circle’s founding vision and to making our transformative work more widely available both inside and outside of prison. Prior to joining Inside Circle, Lisa worked across the consumer packaged goods industry and the non-profit sector, translating consumer and sales data analytics into sound, executable marketing and retail strategy for leading companies as well as catalyzing and managing large volunteer teams, fundraising, and event planning for local causes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Eldra Jackson, III

MANUEL RUIZ

BOARD CHAIR

As board chair, Manuel is the leading voice for all of the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men served by this program. He ensures that Inside Circle stays mission focused and dedicated to realizing the founding vision of the late Founder Pat Nolan. An early member of the Men’s Support Group within New Folsom Prison, the origin of what is today Inside Circle, Manuel spent 14 years sitting in circle slowly growing into a facilitator, mentor, leader and curious student. Overall, Manuel served 21 years of a life sentence and is a powerful example of the transformative power of our work. 

Eldra Jackson, III

Stephen Walker

BOARD MEMBER

A corrections officer for over 30 years, most notably in facilities for incarcerated youth, Stephen Walker is passionate about improving the criminal justice system for everyone impacted by incarceration and strives to reduce harm on both sides of the bars. Director of Correctional Health at California Correctional Peace Officers Association, he also serves on the boards of Black Youth Leadership Project, Child Abuse Prevention Center, and Desert Water Correctional Outreach.
Eldra Jackson, III

Tina Jones

BOARD MEMBER

With over 30 years of experience leading and owning successful Real Estate businesses, most recently opening 4 offices in the San Francisco East Bay, growing these offices to 225 agents. Tina is now bringing her business knowledge and experience to others as founder of The Jones Company Coaching and Consulting. Tina has been involved in numerous nonprofits over the years including Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services, Shanti Christo Foundation and Atkinsons Youth Services. Tina’s profound experience at her first Outside Circle Intensive brought her to the realization she wanted to be a part of Inside Circle’s work serving system-impacted people inside and outside.

ELDER COUNCIL

Lifetime Ex-Officio Board Members, this council is comprised of those who have made formative contributions to Inside Circle. Protecting the integrity of our work and ensuring that essential knowledge is passed down to developing facilitators, our Elder Council provides ongoing facilitation training, mentorship, and spiritual leadership to our team.

Eldra Jackson, III

Bill wich

Elder, Board Member

Bill Wich has been a full leader, Leader Body Chair and Curriculum Chair in the Mankind Project. He has helped develop numerous trainings including “Next Step,” the “H.E.R. Training”, and the “Mystic Warrior” workshops. As a highly skilled teacher and facilitator, Bill brings a powerful presence and a deep heartfelt compassion to the work. Over twenty years he has developed his own unique healing approach and theory of how the universe truly works. His mission is to co-create an enlightened culture through healing and communication.
Eldra Jackson, III

Bharataji Joplin

Elder, Board Member

Co-founder, President and lead facilitator of Dhyan Group, Bharataji specializes in all areas of human development including substance abuse, conflict resolution and crisis intervention. He holds a Counselors Certification in Anger Management, and serves as Center Director & Chief Operating Officer of The ManKind Project in Chicago; an internationally recognized men’s experiential training organization.  He is also a member and Chicago branch leader of Inward Journey/Underground Railroad.
Eldra Jackson, III

Dr. James
McLeary

Elder, Board Member

James is a deeply experienced wisdom holder and expert facilitator whose leadership has been a critical force driving the growth and success of programs at both Folsom State Prison and San Quentin State Prison. He is the executive producer of the documentary, THE WORK, detailing Inside Circle’s program in Folsom Prison. He brings deep expertise in group process work and its application in varied settings. As a member of the Elder Council, James guides our vision for incarcerated and released men.
Eldra Jackson, III

ROB ALLBEE

Founder, Elder, Board Member

Rob is the founder of Inside Circle Foundation and provides mentorship to the next generation of facilitators. His lived experience as a formerly incarcerated man and his 20 plus years of work with the men of the Folsom Circle are a vital component of our expansion strategy to prisons beyond New Folsom and San Quentin State Prison. Rob spends much of his time inside prison, where his dedication and commitment are a daily inspiration. 

ADVISORY BOARD

Our Advisory Board are specially selected members of the Inside Circle family and network who serve on-call and bring important expertise, insight, and perspective to our work.

Eldra Jackson, III

ANDREW Blum

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Andrew serves as chair of our Strategic Advancement Committee. Leveraging 25 years of global consulting experience as CEO of The Trium Group, a leading consultancy, Andrew lends strategic guidance to the organization, connecting Inside Circle with leaders across industries and disciplines. A thought leader and consulting pioneer, Andrew has led breakthrough engagements at many of the world’s leading organizations. His mission is to change the world by changing the way business leaders think. Prior to founding Trium, Andrew served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA in philosophy from Reed College.

Eldra Jackson, III

Brian O’Keefe

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Leveraging his extensive experience in financial services and management, Brian brings deep expertise in finance and strategy to the board. He is currently the chief investment officer at Parallel Advisors. Prior to Parallel, Brian served as CIO of a late-stage venture co-investment fund and logged over 10 years as managing director and vice president in investment banking focused on private capital formation. A former U.S. Army Officer, Brian holds an MBA from University of Chicago, Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomechanics from Marquette University. 

Eldra Jackson, III

Christina
Hollenback

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Winner of the prestigious POLLY award at just 27 for her work at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Christina became one of the youngest Executive Directors in US national politics organizing her generation. In 2014, she transitioned into impact investing and began working with those same frontline communities to build sustainable solutions as a core part of their strategies organizing for justice from Baltimore to Standing Rock.  Her investment fund grows visionary alternatives to the criminal justice system. Christina is the Founding Chair of the NEXUS Network’s Working Group Toward Equal Justice.

Eldra Jackson, III

James Maskell

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

James has spent the last decade innovating at the cross section of functional medicine and community. He grew up in an intentional community, and has lived in South Africa, UK and America. Originaally trained in health economics, James is on a mission to flatten the curve of healthcare costs building companies and creating content along the way. A lively speaker and in demand impresario, James has spoken to audiences on six continents. He lives in Northern California with his wife and two daughters. He loves playing cricket, riding horses and plotting our survival on this planet and emergence into our potential.

Eldra Jackson, III

Roth Herrlinger

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Roth Herrlinger is an executive coach, management consultant and strategic advisor with several decades’ experience assisting companies and nonprofits in a wide variety of industries throughout the U.S. and worldwide. He’s cofounded two companies, and has worked with startup and established firms as both a senior executive and consultant, leading teams in operations, finance, M&A, strategic planning, process improvement, new business creation and product development.  He spends many of his weekends volunteering in prisons with a consortium of nonprofits that provide facilitated peer-to-peer support systems for incarcerated men.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR BOARD?

Please click the button below or email [email protected], with the subject line: Board Inquiry. Include a CV and a brief summary about why you’re interested in joining our board, and we’ll be glad to start a conversation.