Juanita Shanks, President & CEO

Juanita Shanks is the Founder and CEO of FailSafe-ERA, a community-centered nonprofit organization based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, dedicated to providing transformative services to individuals and families impacted by incarceration. Since founding the organization in 2009, Juanita has led efforts to interrupt cycles of incarceration through reentry support, family engagement, and prevention programming designed to build stronger individuals, families, and communities.

Juanita’s passion for this work is deeply personal. Her advocacy was shaped by her experience navigating the criminal justice system alongside her son. Although he passed away at a young age, her commitment to reform did not end with his passing—it grew even stronger. Today, that personal journey continues to fuel her mission to prevent generations of incarceration and restore hope to families facing similar challenges.

Under her leadership, FailSafe-ERA has launched several impactful initiatives, including the Hall of Change, established in 2023 to recognize returning citizens who have demonstrated courage, accountability, and personal transformation. Hall of Change inductees become Agents of Change, serving as mentors and leaders who inspire others on the path to rebuilding their lives. Juanita also spearheaded the Planning District 16 Criminal Justice Reform Task Force, which evolved into the Criminal Justice Reform Alliance, a collaborative initiative focused on restorative justice and trauma-informed care.

In response to rising youth violence in the region, Juanita launched the Sounding the Alarm on Youth Violence community initiative after a tragic series of incidents that resulted in the loss of three young lives and four youth entering the criminal justice system. The initiative mobilizes community partners to focus on prevention, youth empowerment, and community healing.

Juanita’s work has earned recognition from the Virginia General Assembly through House Resolution No. 618. She also serves on the Virginia Department of Corrections Oversight Committee as the Nonprofit Prisoner Advocate, where she contributes frontline expertise to statewide conversations on reentry, public safety, and community stabilization. She also serves as an Ambassador and Co-Facilitator of the Amen Whole-4 Program, supporting faith-based institutions in promoting mental wellness and brain health.

Juanita is a United States Army veteran who also spent 35 years in federal government civil service before retiring in August 2017. Throughout her career, she held multiple management positions responsible for enterprise-wide policy and support in human resources, installations management, strategic planning, operations, and budgeting. One of her most notable accomplishments was championing the Defense Logistics Agency’s resiliency and wellness campaign, supporting more than 25,000 civilian and military personnel.

Juanita is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker, dedicated to helping individuals discover their purpose through intentional learning and leadership development. She is a Dr. Amen Certified Brain Health Trainer, passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and helping individuals understand the importance of caring for their brain health.

She is the author of two books: Building Your Spiritual House: Pathway to the Next Level and iQonquer: Moving Past the Pains – It Takes Courage to Evolve and Grow.

Juanita’s work has earned numerous honors, including the National Association of Professional Women Woman of the Year Award, Superior Civilian Service Award, Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the 2023 Stafford Region Top 10 Most Influential Women Award, and the 2019 Fredericksburg Region Difference Maker Award.

She holds a degree in Business Administration and is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Juanita often shares that one of her greatest motivations is honoring the legacy of her son in heaven while continuing to build a brighter future for her family, her grandchildren, and the communities she serves.