With over 95% of our staff being formerly incarcerated, Urban Alchemy has achieved remarkable success in reducing recidivism, unsheltered homelessness, and crime over its six-year journey. Co-founder and CEO Dr. Lena Miller will delve into her experience surviving the crucible of San Francisco’s Hunters Point neighborhood and share how they leveraged their life stories to pioneer a groundbreaking approach to job creation, public safety, and social services. Despite facing skepticism, discrimination, and racism, Dr. Miller has built a social enterprise with over 1,300 staff in under five years by grinding through formidable obstacles. She will be joined on stage by Sam Dodge, Director of Street Response Coordination for the City and County of San Francisco. Mr. Dodge has decades of experience working on the issues addressed by Urban Alchemy’s services. He was an early supporter of Urban Alchemy, taking a chance on an untested organization and his belief in their work helped propel the organization forward.
Grinding All My Life: The Urban Alchemy Story
Track
DEI, Ownership and Impact
Format
Fireside chat (2 speakers)
Speakers
- NameLena Miller
- TitleChief Executive Officer
- OrganizationUrban Alchemy
- NameSam Dodge
- TitleDirector of Street Response Coordination
- OrganizationCity & County of San Francisco
Description
With over 95% of our staff being formerly incarcerated, Urban Alchemy has achieved remarkable success in reducing recidivism, unsheltered homelessness, and crime over its six-year journey. Co-founder and CEO Dr. Lena Miller will delve into her experience surviving the crucible of San Francisco’s Hunters Point neighborhood and share how they leveraged their life stories to pioneer a groundbreaking approach to job creation, public safety, and social services. Despite facing skepticism, discrimination, and racism, Dr. Miller has built a social enterprise with over 1,300 staff in under five years by grinding through formidable obstacles. She will be joined on stage by Sam Dodge, Director of Street Response Coordination for the City and County of San Francisco. Mr. Dodge has decades of experience working on the issues addressed by Urban Alchemy’s services. He was an early supporter of Urban Alchemy, taking a chance on an untested organization and his belief in their work helped propel the organization forward.
