WHO WE ARE

Relaunch Pad is on a mission to help individuals from difficult backgrounds find financial success. Leveraging the internet and a nationwide network of similarly motivated organizations, we strive to provide helpful resources that increase the quality of life, decrease stress, and open pathways to more opportunities for personal growth.

Our team has years of experience leading job readiness and reentry programs inside of prisons and in other setting and are very passionate about helping people with criminal records, addictions, disabilities, and other setbacks find success as they reintegrate into the community. Dozens of former offenders have found their home at Relaunch Pad in various positions, sharing their expertise through articles, guides and other content.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

We envision a world where all people — including those who have made mistakes in the past — hold the power to create opportunities for themselves and others. We believe providing the best available information, resources, and connections to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families. Given the opportunity to succeed, and a launching pad to do it from, everyone can achieve a happier, more rewarding life.

The Relaunch Pad Team

Adam Sanders (LinkedIn)

Founder & Reentry Advisor

Adam started The Relaunch Pad in 2014 while spending several years as a Program Leader, Reentry Advisor, and teacher at San Quentin State Prison. After starting San Quentin’s personal finance and job readiness program, which helped hundreds of men prepare for their release from within the walls of a correctional facility, he realized that there was a tremendous ongoing need to help former-felons find financial success once they left the system.

Prior to forming The Relaunch Pad, Adam spent nearly a decade working in various finance, strategy, and product management roles for the leading provider of personal finance software, Intuit. He has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Missouri State University.

Garland Brewster headshot

Garland Brewster (LinkedIn)

Reentry Educator

After a successful 25-year career in the IT industry, Garland is now a Reentry Educator with The Relaunchpad. He has significant experience writing documents (resumes, LinkedIn profiles, etc.) and advising job seekers. Garland shares his experience overcoming legal challenges to help others in similar circumstances move forward and find happiness and prosperity.

Leah Smith (LinkedIn)

Reentry Educator

Leah is familiar with the justice system and knows firsthand the hurdles and hardships that come after a conviction — housing, transportation, employment, court-ordered mandates — while reporting to parole and probation and reintegrating into the community. This is why she wants to give former felons the tools and confidence they need to succeed in life after a conviction, and has worked hard to extend her post-secondary education so she can use her ability to write to bring about change and be the voice for those without one.

Sandy Bell-Murray (LinkedIn)

Reentry Educator

Sandy Bell-Murray worked for more than thirty years for the Ontario public service, mainly in adult and youth justice. She began as a Probation and Parole Officer, then became a policy analyst, program supervisor and manager. Currently, she delivers workshops focused on building personal resilience and managing stress. She is an active member of Toastmasters International and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western University.

Allen Watson (LinkedIn)

Reentry Educator

Allen is a writer who lives along the Carolina coast. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in teaching. He has worked in education, EMS, and law enforcement. Allen has worked extensively with people who are re-establishing their lives after leaving prison.

Blaine Leal (LinkedIn)

Blaine photo

Counselor & Reentry Educator

Blaine Leal has worked in the prison system within mental health and counseling roles for over 5 years. Blaine values diversity, especially as it related to the LGBTQ+ Community, having written extensively for organizations related to this cause. He is also a writer with a BA in English from Cal Poly University, SLO. He is very passionate about recovery and wellness, especially for those who have experienced incarceration in the past and who are seeking to improve their lives.

Josh Speraneo (LinkedIn)

Reentry Educator

Josh is a former offender who has faced the challenge of finding employment after spending time in prison. He is currently pursuing a career as a writer, on top of his full-time job in the hospitality industry. His hope is that he can use his writing as a way to encourage others and help them to reach their full potential, no matter what struggles they’ve faced along the way.

Kristin M

Reentry Educator

Kristin is a Contributing Writer to Successful Release. After serving 12 1/2 years in prison, Kristin enjoys helping others overcome some of the obstacles she also faced after her release. She is an avid supporter of AIM (Aid to Inmate Mothers) and in her spare time she enjoys making crafts and spending time with her dog Tydus.