Stephanie Jeffcoat (Leading with Conviction™ 2024) was in and out of prison because of substance use and addiction, which led to a six-month period of incarceration where she permanently lost custody of her daughter.

The trauma of losing her child has led her to found Families Inspiring Reentry and Reunification for Everyone (FIR4E). It also led her to earn five associate degrees, as well as her Bachelor’s at Cal State Fullerton and pursue a law degree through Trinity Law School.

Beyond academia, Stephanie has shared her transformative journey from addiction, incarceration, and homelessness in a published memoir.