Success means creating lasting, equitable impact measured by whether individuals (especially those with lived experience) have real access to opportunity, dignity, and self-sufficiency.
Eliza Barr · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Eliza
Eliza Barr is the Executive Director of Reaching Out From Within (ROFW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals through personal development, rehabilitation, and successful community reintegration. Leading the organization since 2023, she has expanded its reach beyond correctional facilities to strengthen reentry services across Kansas, Missouri, and North Carolina. Under her leadership, ROFW has advanced initiatives such as the Returning Citizens Consortium and participated in statewide efforts to create fair-chance opportunities for justice-impacted individuals, reflecting her commitment to second chances, systemic reform, and community restoration.
With more than 17 years of experience in workforce development, human resources, career services, and nonprofit leadership, Barr has built a career centered on helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve long-term success. Her professional background includes leadership and workforce development roles with Project Innocent, Workforce Partnership of Kansas City, K.C. Impact Group, and Wyandotte Behavioral Health Network, where she developed programs that connected underserved populations with meaningful career opportunities. She also founded The Breakthrough Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering individuals through education, workforce readiness, and community engagement by partnering with schools, shelters, correctional facilities, and local organizations throughout the Kansas City area.
Barr's passion for justice reform is deeply rooted in her lived experience. Born while her mother was incarcerated, she transformed that personal journey into a lifelong mission of advocating for justice-impacted individuals and their families. She believes meaningful change begins with hope, accountability, and access to opportunity, and she works tirelessly to help individuals change their mindset, rebuild their lives, and reconnect with their communities. Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice along with multiple workforce development certifications, Barr continues to champion initiatives that promote dignity, equitable employment, and lasting community impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Eliza
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in my lived experience. My mother was incarcerated when she gave birth to me, and growing up with that reality shaped my perspective and purpose. Rather than allowing those circumstances to define my future, I chose to turn them into a source of motivation. That journey has fueled my passion for helping individuals and families facing similar challenges, and it continues to inspire the work I do every day.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Develop the skills to see each part of the process. Really taking things one day at a time and building my skill set without skipping any parts of the journey, from front desk to leading HR teams.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Getting people to understand that giving people second chance is not dismissing what they have done, just allowing them to enter back into society as a better version of themselves. It's difficult to get everybody to see the human aspect and the importance of pouring into that community while maintaining accountability.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are faith, family, and advocacy. My faith guides my decisions, my family keeps me grounded, and my passion for advocacy drives me to support and empower others facing challenges similar to those I've experienced.
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