Darwin Hamilton, for more than a decade has been a leader, activist, advocate, strategist, accountant, mentor, keynote speaker and author of his self-published memoir 25 Years Later: A Sentence from Crime to Redemption, Resilience, Advocacy and Leadership. His op-eds have been published in the Austin American Statesman and by the ACLU of Texas. He currently serves on the Oversight Board of Travis County’s Public Defender Office, National Association of Public Defense Board of Directors, Trinity University and UTSA Philosophy & Literature Circle. He is an alumnus of Leadership Austin – Essential program and JustLeadership USA 2018 cohorts.His personal mission is to change criminal justice policies, practices and reduce the shame and stigma of formerly incarcerated people. He does this with the expertise of his lived experience, overcoming adversity and breaking down barriers with his strategic power of public narrative and inspiring storytelling. Mr. Hamilton recently retired from the State of Texas with 25 years of service and became Director of Financial Management | CFO.