She was a prominent instrument in the passing of the Connecticut’s Second Chance legislation including BAN the BOX, Raise the Age, and Reducing Lengthy Sentencing for Youth. She has been featured in the Economic Agenda booklet in collaboration with Working Families. In 2016, she was recognized for her community engagement efforts by the City of Hartford.

She has worked for the Second Chance program/ BEST Chance Program and was recently awarded the Professional Achievement for Outstanding Excellence Award by Governor Malloy.

She received her dual degree in social work and public health while working as a graduate research assistant, analyzing complex justice issues affecting the lives of African American and Latino families. Her work includes the prevention of violence and prevention of incarceration while promoting holistic practices and education. Sandy is the founder of the University of Connecticut, School of Social Work – first justice reform, student sub-organization, Students Against Mass Incarceration (SAMI). She has facilitated workshops at Harvard, Columbia and various Connecticut based universities. The consistant message she delivers nationwide includes adopting the philosophy that “those closest to the problem, are closest to the solution”. She has been strategically building her leadership capacities by participating in a unique 12- month cohort called JustLeadershipUSA.