Venus Star Staten is a community advocate, recovery leader, and nonprofit director with over a decade of experience in criminal justice reform, HIV prevention, and reentry services. As the Senior Director of Programs and Operations at the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, Venus oversees statewide HIV prevention services, staff management, and grant compliance, leading with trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and harm-reduction approaches.Grounded in her lived experience with incarceration and recovery, Venus brings a powerful perspective to her work. She leverages her personal journey to reduce stigma, break down systemic barriers, and champion policies that prioritize rehabilitation, equity, and healing.Her advocacy is rooted in social justice and fueled by a commitment to expanding opportunities for justice-impacted and recovering individuals. By bridging professional expertise with grassroots activism, Venus continues to inspire change, foster community engagement, and create pathways for second chances.