Represent Justice Ambassador Program Evolution and Leadership Updates
Represent Justice is excited to share an important evolution of the Ambassador Program and organizational leadership as we continue strengthening our narrative power work with justice system-impacted leaders.
Since its launch, the Ambassador Program has grown to 49 Ambassadors across 15 states, forming a powerful network of storytellers, advocates, and movement leaders who use their lived experience to shift narratives about the legal justice system and inspire change to end mass incarceration. At this stage in our journey, we’ve taken time to reflect on how we can better support and deepen our collaboration with all of our Ambassadors past their campaign periods.
As part of this evolution, Represent Justice will pause recruitment and onboarding of new Ambassadors. During this period, our focus will be on strengthening our work with the current 2026 cohort that is completing the training program and set to premiere their films this summer, as well as expanding opportunities for engagement, visibility, and empowerment for all past Ambassador cohorts. Moving forward, Represent Justice will explore strategic integrations of Ambassadors into our Films and Series impact campaigns, expanded support for social media storytelling, wellness and narrative strategy, and growing peer-to-peer connections.
This shift reflects months of careful consideration and strategic planning. Instead of growing the program numerically at this moment, we’re prioritizing depth of engagement. We believe this focus is essential to building long-term movement infrastructure and audience mobilization toward a fair legal system.
Elevating the Speakers Bureau
A key part of this evolution is our Speakers Bureau. Launched just over one year ago, the Speakers Bureau has been one of the primary ways we’ve sustained strong relationships with Ambassadors after their impact campaigns conclude. The bureau uplifts system-impacted movement leaders by connecting them with audiences, institutions, and events that elevate their expertise and stories, changing how people understand the legal system. It also provides capacity-building, wellness support, and professional development rooted in trauma-informed practice and values-centered care.
As we deepen our engagement, we will continue expanding opportunities within the Speakers Bureau as a central vehicle for Ambassador visibility, influence, and economic opportunity.
Leadership Transitions & Gratitude
We also want to share important updates within our team as part of this next phase:
Denise Beek, who has served as Vice President of Original Storytelling and has successfully led the Ambassador Program with vision, care, and skill, will be moving on to new and exciting endeavors. We are deeply grateful to Denise for her leadership, dedication, and tireless work building the Ambassador Program and strengthening the narrative ecosystem at Represent Justice. Her contributions have laid a strong foundation for the work ahead, and we wish her success in what lies ahead.
Following this transition, we’re proud to announce that Akiesha Anderson, previously Director of Advocacy and Partnerships, has been promoted to Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement, where she will oversee the Ambassador Program and broader engagement strategy.
Additionally, Bryan Simmons, previously Films and Series Coordinator, will take on the role of Speakers Bureau Manager, leading this core initiative as it continues to grow and support Ambassadors in sharing their stories widely.
Represent Justice remains focused on building narrative power with system-impacted leaders and growing strategies that shift public understanding and demand for justice reform. We’re grateful to our Ambassadors, partners, supporters, and community for walking alongside us.
