Speaker Profile

Erica Averion is a passionate advocate for second chances who believes people should have the opportunity to pursue their greatest hopes rather than be defined by their greatest mistakes. Her work focuses on supporting individuals navigating reentry and advancing fair-chance opportunities for those impacted by the justice system.

Over the past decade, Averion has dedicated her career to serving in jails, prisons and correctional institutions, where she has worked alongside individuals she believes represent one of America’s most overlooked sources of talent and potential.

Drawing on her system-impacted perspective, Averion spent many years leading programming initiatives within Florida correctional facilities, including Faith & Character, Re-Entry and Veterans/Honors dorms. During that time, she co-founded a reentry transition mentor program that supports incarcerated individuals within six months of release who lack outside support to help prepare for successful reentry.

Averion has served as Executive Director of the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence since the organization’s inception, continuing her work to expand opportunity, strengthen reentry efforts and advocate for meaningful second chances.