Founders
Our Leaders Started the Lived Experience Movement
Free To Lead was founded by leaders who have transformed personal experience into public service. Together, they bring decades of experience in legislative leadership, legal advocacy, community organizing, and criminal justice reform. Their shared vision is to ensure that justice-impacted people have the opportunity, support, and resources to lead at every level of public life.
Meet the Founders
Our founders represent different states, different experiences, and different paths to leadership, but they share one belief: the people closest to our nation's challenges should have the opportunity to help lead its solutions.
Jovan Jackson
Jovan Jackson serves in the Nevada Assembly, where he advocates for mental health access, record-sealing reform, and stronger support systems for underserved communities. His leadership reflects a commitment to building a more equitable and representative democracy.
Co-Founder
Tarra Simmons
Tarra Simmons is a Washington State Representative, attorney, and nationally recognized advocate for criminal legal reform. After overcoming significant barriers following incarceration, she became the first formerly incarcerated attorney admitted to the Washington State Bar Association and now champions policies that expand opportunity, reduce barriers, and strengthen communities.
Co-Founder
Keturah Herron is a Kentucky State Senator and longtime advocate for youth, equity, and criminal justice reform. Her work focuses on advancing policies that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and ensure those most impacted by public policy have a voice in shaping it.
Co-FounderKeturah Herron
Joel Castón is a community leader, national advocate, and powerful voice for sentencing reform. Drawing on his lived experience, he was the first to be elected while incarcerated and works to expand opportunities for justice-impacted individuals while promoting policies that recognize the value of redemption, leadership, and second chances.
Co-Founder