Felice Upton is a transformational leader in juvenile and adult justice systems, driven by an unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for incarcerated individuals and strengthening communities. A proven catalyst for organizational excellence and community transformation, she has built enduring partnerships spanning decades while consistently pushing the boundaries of what others believed possible. Her leadership philosophy centers on empowering people to achieve breakthrough results through courage, compassion, and relentless innovation, establishing her as a sought-after presenter at conferences and trainer whose expertise reaches across multiple sectors. She has led in adult facilities working with both women and men, in substance use disorder focused programs, in behavioral health programs and in a youth serving organization.

Throughout her distinguished career, Upton has successfully led organizations of up to 1,000+ employees, demonstrating that meaningful innovations emerge when strategic vision combines with deep investment in human potential. Her impressive track record includes securing major grants for statewide medical programs and implementing large-scale projects across multiple agencies that fundamentally reshape organizational dynamics and community outcomes. As a seasoned change catalyst, she identifies transformation opportunities others miss and builds strategic partnerships to realize bold visions that seemed impossible, utilizing rigorous data-driven decision-making alongside unwavering commitment to team development and community service.

Upton specializes in revolutionary approaches to community impact, from whole-person care models to breakthrough public health initiatives that address root causes rather than merely treating symptoms. These proven methodologies have reshaped how entire systems operate and serve their communities, moving far beyond theoretical frameworks to deliver measurable results. Her leadership consistently redefines what’s possible in community transformation by fostering cultures where breakthrough innovation isn’t just encouraged it’s expected. The teams she builds don’t simply meet expectations; they consistently exceed them because they’re empowered with both the strategic tools and organizational courage to push beyond conventional boundaries in service of at-risk populations and preventative approaches to complex social challenges.