Sheena Rogers is a nationally respected justice reform advocate, criminal paralegal, and keynote speaker whose work is grounded in lived experience, resilience, and a relentless commitment to transforming the U.S. prison system. Sentenced to juvenile life without parole and surviving 25 years in a Missouri prison, Sheena rebuilt her life from inside, first as a jailhouse lawyer and now as a trained criminal paralegal fighting nationwide for those still behind the walls.

She is the founder and executive director of two grassroots organizations: Show Me JUSTICE FOR ALL, where she lobbies from Washington, D.C. to state capitals for meaningful policy reform, and From The Trenches Ministries, which supports individuals returning from incarceration and those impacted by addiction and homelessness.

A survivor of child marriage, domestic violence, and sexual assault, Sheena uses her lived experience to advocate fiercely for people who have been criminalized for protecting themselves from an abuser, as well as for those burdened by extreme and excessive sentencing. She specializes in parole packets, clemency petitions, and justice-impacted policy strategy.

Sheena collaborates with both national and local organizations, including her work with Human Rights Watch through the National Leadership Council to End Life Without Parole, along with several other national justice reform networks advancing second-look legislation and humane sentencing practices.

As a sought-after speaker and prison consultant, Sheena shares her story and expertise with universities, churches, conferences, and community audiences nationwide using her journey to educate, inspire, and push forward a more just and compassionate system for all.

Check back soon for more information about Karen.

Karen Backues is a powerful advocate, survivor, and justice-impacted leader dedicated to transforming systems and uplifting those most affected by incarceration. As the Director of Operations for Show Me Justice For All, a Missouri-based nonprofit, she fearlessly champions the rights of incarcerated survivors of sexual abuse and works relentlessly to hold institutions accountable. Karen also fights for the rights of incarcerated parents, ensuring families remain connected and that no child is punished for a parent’s incarceration.

A strong survivor herself, Karen uses her lived experience to fuel her advocacy and to ensure that every policy, program, and campaign centers the voices of those most harmed by the criminal legal system. She is currently helping to develop a Survivors Safety Bill—groundbreaking legislation that would empower people harmed by sexual assault in prisons and jails to seek justice, hold perpetrators and institutions accountable, and protect future survivors from abuse.

During her incarceration, Karen became a certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer, an achievement that reflects her discipline, strength, and resilience. She also holds a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Business Finance. Today, she shares her story and expertise as a keynote speaker, inspiring audiences with her honesty, courage, and unwavering belief in second chances.

Above all, Karen’s mission is simple: to help as many people as she can—survivors seeking safety, parents fighting for their children, and justice-impacted individuals striving for healing, dignity, and a new beginning. Her leadership continues to open doors, restore hope, and drive meaningful change across Missouri and beyond.