October 10, 2026
Virtual on Zoom · Open to All
Register for 2026Ending the White Collar Life Sentence
Our 2026 theme is about ending the life sentence that white collar offenders are left enduring well after their price has been paid. We are announcing new speakers, panelists, and programming as we get closer to the event.
“Every sentence should have a period.”
Widely described as the only attorney in the U.S. who served time in federal prison for a white collar crime and returned to practice white collar law, Grant founded the White Collar Support Group in 2016. He now leads GrantLaw as private general counsel to executives and professionals facing high-stakes legal matters, and remains a longtime advocate for reentry and second chances.
The first person appointed to senior Bureau of Prisons leadership after serving time in its custody. He now oversees 122 facilities, 36,000 staff, and the care of over 156,000 people, and founded the Fourth Purpose Foundation and Prison Life Media. Read his full profile on Prisonpedia.
The lead counsel behind the historic tobacco settlements worth more than $248 billion reached the very top of American law, then served six years in federal prison. Today he leads 2nd Chance MS, which has helped more than a thousand Mississippi adults earn the credentials to rebuild their futures. In conversation with fireside host Brent Cassity.
Host of the Nightmare Success podcast and a member of the White Collar Support Group, Cassity draws on his own journey through the federal system to lead the fireside conversation.
Emily O'Brien, Rashmi Airan, and Desmond Meade each rebuilt a career and a public reputation after a federal conviction. See Meet the Panelists below for how they did it, from starting companies to leading national movements.
Meet the Panelists
Emily O'Brien is the founder and CEO of Comeback Snacks, a purpose-driven Canadian snack company changing the conversation around second chances, one bag of popcorn at a time. After serving time in federal prison, she rebuilt her life from the ground up and turned one of her greatest setbacks into a nationally recognized brand rooted in hope, accountability, and opportunity. A passionate advocate for prison reform and second-chance hiring, she creates employment for people with justice-system experience while challenging employers to rethink talent and potential.
Rashmi Airan is a keynote speaker, leadership expert, and transformation strategist who helps leaders and organizations navigate adversity and high-pressure moments with courage, clarity, and accountability. A first-generation Indian American, Columbia Law School graduate, and former Wall Street dealmaker, she draws on her own journey through failure, federal prison, and reinvention to help audiences rise stronger and lead wiser. Her story has been featured by ABC, PBS, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.
Desmond Meade is a nationally recognized civil rights leader, voting rights advocate, author, and community organizer who led the effort to change Florida's Constitution to restore voting rights to more than 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. He was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019, received the MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship in 2021, and in 2023, under Meade's leadership, his organization was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His personal journey of overcoming hardship, homelessness, and incarceration has shaped his message of redemption and opportunity, and his appearances on CNN, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, and Fox TV demonstrate his ability to appeal to and inspire people from all walks of life.
Drew Chapin is the founder of The Discoverability Company, a discoverability partner for individuals and businesses based in Philadelphia, with nearly two decades of go-to-market experience across Microsoft, Jomboy Media, Perplexity, and venture-backed startups. He sits on the White Collar Support Group Conference steering committee and moderates this panel.
Few things have been more front and center for our community than pardons and expungement. Following the hottest year on record for pardons and expungement, where are we now? A look at what changed, what stalled, and where the fight goes next. Panelists to be announced.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Gregg spent more than 20 years in senior finance and operations roles, including CFO and COO positions in manufacturing and petroleum, before becoming a FocalPoint business coach who helps owners and executives sharpen strategy, profitability, and team performance. He hosts the BizTalk Weekly podcast and serves on the conference steering committee, and he closes the day.
Be first to know as speakers and panels are announced.
What to Expect
Based on the success of past conferences, here is what attendees can expect from the 2026 White Collar Conference.
Three Hours of Programming
All sessions on Zoom, open to all.
Keynote by a National Figure
A prominent speaker addressing the most pressing issues in white collar justice.
Fireside Chat
An intimate conversation with a justice-impacted individual sharing their story.
Expert Panels
Leading attorneys, academics, and advocates on legal reform, reentry, and community.
Personal Stories
WCSG members sharing firsthand accounts of restoration, resilience, and community.
Community Connection
Connect with hundreds of attendees from across the country who understand your experience.
Be the First to Know
Registration is open now on Eventbrite. Sign up below and we'll send speaker announcements and panel details as they're confirmed.
No spam. You'll only receive White Collar Conference updates.
Explore Past Conferences
Watch all recorded sessions and review the full schedules from previous years.
Become a 2026 Sponsor
Interested in sponsoring the 2026 White Collar Conference? We offer recognition across print, digital, and social media, and the opportunity to demonstrate your organization's commitment to justice reform and community support.
Contact Us About Sponsorship →