Empower Missouri is growing, and we’re excited to have introduced you to several new team members over the last few weeks. Today we’re rounding out our team with Holly Honig-Josephson, our new Policy Director:
Hello Empower family,
I am thrilled and honored to be here in community with you all, working to realize Empower Missouri’s mission and vision for a time and place where everyone’s basic human needs are met.
I grew up in St. Louis and landed in Michigan where I lived most of my adult life. I have a variety of life experiences that place this work close to my heart. I have a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University and graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan where my studies focused on historically marginalized and excluded communities and their relationships with the history, theory, and practice of punishment in the United States. While at the University of Michigan, I also co-founded the still-vibrant Sentence Commutation Project at the U-Mich law school.
Previously in my career, I served as vice president of the largest provider of advocacy and support services for people incarcerated in Michigan state prisons. And prior to that, I had a successful corporate career as a strategist and consultant, but was called to shift my work into areas that spoke more to my passion and purpose. This journey brings me here to Empower Missouri.
In my role as Policy Director, I will work to bridge divides and live into my belief that if we solve for the needs that folks who struggle with barriers (such as those experienced through poverty and prison), then all our lives will be better. I embrace our connectedness and can’t wait to get to know you all. I invite you to give me a shout and explore ways we can make Missouri better together.
Let’s get to work!
Holly Honig-Josephson
Policy Director
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