Chris Johnson, Executive Director

Chris Johnson has engineered powerful transformations in his life—going from someone who was sentenced by the state of California to spend the rest of his life in prison, to someone whom, 15 years later, has been recognized by the secretary of CDCR as a changed person who would be an asset to his community.

By engaging in extraordinary effort, Chris has spent meaningful time studying and looking within in order to create a more desirable and fulfilling external reality. He knows it's not his past that dictates what's possible for his future—he has moved beyond the limiting decisions and circumstances of the past towards a limitless future where he gets to determine the results. With his degrees in behavioral sciences and business, Chris has a solid foundation from which to build. Through his demonstrated work with Success Stories Program and CROP Organization, both inside of prison and out in the community, he has shown himself to exhibit the skills and qualities that he offers others.

Time and again, Chris has shown up for himself and for others in powerful ways, cultivating inclusive leadership vision, strong and authentic communication, unwavering faith while pursuing goals, and a deep understanding of people's perspectives.

Chris envisioned Sharp Circle Inc. to fulfill the needs of what was missing from his experience as he began living his life more intentionally. He created this organization to provide empowering mentorship, consulting, and investment to move others towards their goals with certainty, care, and accountability. He knows how valuable diverse perspectives and lived experiences are, and he sees the power in sharing these resources with others in need so they can freely add their unique value to the world.

about us

April Yee, Associate Director

April believes in Chris’s expansive vision for Sharp Circle and for the world. She brings a combination of her corporate, nonprofit, and community engagement experience to her work with Sharp Circle.

April is a Holistic Life Coach focusing on transformative self-care practices for professionals and anyone who wants to be more fully engaged in their lives. After undergoing emergency cardiothoracic surgery which saved her life in 2015, April recognized the importance of self-care in creating a fulfilling and meaningful life. Previously, April worked in the private equity industry for over 10 years, being based in San Francisco and New York City. She serves as Board President of Kidpower International and sits on the Board of three other nonprofits. Along with coaching and practicing self-care, April enjoys reading, writing, learning, and connecting.

Hugo Gonzalez, Mentor

Hugo Gonzalez was a teenager when he was sentenced to multiple life sentences in an adult prison. After serving 18.5 years in prison, his sentence was commuted under Governor Jerry Brown. Hugo is an artist and advocate who is now working with the Success Stories Program as an Alumni Coordinator and Transformative Coach. He expresses that, “Being a part of this work has given me the opportunity to help people that strive for a second chance.” Hugo goes to public forums, conferences and schools to speak about patriarchy, toxic masculinity, gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry. He has also played a vital role in documentaries like, Feminist on Cellblock Y and PBS’ Roadtrip Nation: Being Free. Most recently, Hugo completed Loyola Law School's Independent Forensic Gang Expert program, which titles him as a forensic gang expert in the field. Hugo has said of his current commitments and work, “I am doing this work because I now recognize that we are all connected as human beings. Giving back is my restitution, it's a responsibility I know that I have living in this world.”

Alex Amaya, Mentor

“Our Greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”

-Confucius

Alex Amaya is the definition of perseverance. Incarcerated as a juvenile and sentenced to 29 years, he learned that a second chance is possible and a different lifestyle was achievable. His challenges in life have allowed him to build inner peace, compassion, and empathy. In solitary confinement he dedicated his time to education and introspection. He became a Delancey Graduate, and conducted Public Speaking workshops and multiple other rehabilitative life skill groups when he was released from solitary confinement. This work allowed him to begin his new journey in life after being found suitable by the Parole Board Hearings on his 20th year of incarceration. He is someone that believes that through love, support, and consistency you can plant a seed in a young man’s mind that can alter his decision making and lifestyle choices. His life’s purpose is to be of service to his community and be an example, mentor, and role model to transitional age youth who have not always made the best decisions in life, like himself. He works with this segment of young adults in the Juvenile Hall System and is an active member in his community where he volunteers his time to the marginalized youth and shares with Re entry services the obstacles that he has faced after prison. He is enrolled in San Francisco State University where he is finishing his higher learning education that he began behind the walls. Alex is a new kind of leader in his community, he brings to the table ingenuity, problem solving skills, consistency and great effort.

Graham Finochio, Mentor

Graham Finochio was involved in white supremacist gangs for the majority of his life, and has also spent most of his life in carceral spaces, including group homes, juvenile hall, jail and prison. During intensive self work in prison, Graham shifted his views and challenged the racist and hypermasculine framework of his belief systems. In 2019, he was released after 15 years in prison and continued his work. Graham now works to challenge racist/patriarchal cultural norms, including mass incarceration, through his work with Success Stories Program, Initiate Justice and as a forensic gang expert. His hope in this work is to see a world unencumbered by patriarchy, a culture based on Integrity and justice grounded in healing and connectedness instead of harmful retributive principles.

Gene, Mentor

Gene is a financial literacy coach who has a passion for helping people understand and use financial skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing. He started his first business at the young age of 12, started saving, and began hiring and mentoring his friends. Today, Gene has started numerous businesses and continues to save, invest, and teach financial literacy. From helping friends and family, those incarcerated, to those in underserved communities, Gene has helped countless people feel more confident about their financial decisions, save money, and build wealth.