John Lam (he/him) is a first-generation Chinese-American hailing from Sacramento, California. His life journey has been marked by experiences that have ignited his passion for criminal justice reform, particularly at the intersection of technology and policy. John, who has a background of incarceration, firmly believes in the power of individuals with similar experiences to drive change. He is dedicated to utilizing technology and policy to improve the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system, focusing on areas such as housing, employment, education, and access to healthcare. In his quest for social change, John actively volunteers with nonprofit organizations in both the Bay Area and Southern California. He contributes his time and expertise to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society, leveraging his personal insights and empathy to guide others on their journey towards a better future. John's educational path has led him to the University of California, Berkeley, where he is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science. At UC Berkeley, he co-founded Cre8innovations to serve marginalized students at UC Berkeley who are facing housing insecurities, and working policy to address housing issues for students in higher education. Additionally, he is a Haas scholar conducting research into the barriers to leadership for formerly incarcerated folks in the non-profit space specifically in the criminal justice reform movement. As he moves forward with his academic journey, he has set his sights on obtaining a Master's in Public Policy, recognizing the potential to enact systemic change through policy initiatives.
My project identifies the problems and structural barriers to leadership for formerly incarcerated individuals in advocacy.
