CHANGING LIVES, REBUILDING COMMUNITIES,
HELPING FAMILIES
AFFECTED BY INCARCERATION
MEET THE FAILSAFE-ERA OPERATIONS TEAM
Juanita C. Shanks, President and CEO
Juanita Shanks is the CEO and Founder of FailSafe-ERA. After 35 years of Federal Government service, Juanita Shanks retired in 2017, to devote time to work in her purpose of adding value to people and helping them reach their highest potential. Juanita is a Personal Change Management Strategist who has a strong desire to influence an individual’s growth process to achieve their intended purpose, to stretch them beyond their limit.
Juanita is a Certified John Maxwell Team leader where she is committed to helping individuals and organizations sharpen their business and personal skills to add instant value to their message and to their life. She helps individuals better understand their purpose through intentional learning and living. Juanita is an engaging, compassionate, and influential keynote speaker that connects with her audience. She delivers a game-changing message that will activate your desire to grow. Her message is so compelling that her audience is motivated to change. She is the Author of Building Your Spiritual House – Pathways to the Next Level, United States Army Veteran, Wife, mother, and grandmother. Click Here to Read Bio.
Charissa McCall, Director of Community Engagement
Charissa McCall as an avid volunteer, brings 20+ years of experience in the field of Resources & Outreach, which makes her role as Director of Community Engagement a seamless fit.
Charissa is the President and Founder of Rissa's Heart, an organization that provides and connects local Non-Profits & Working-Class families (who do not qualify for assistance) with resources. Through her Holiday Shoppe and School Supply programs, she has served over 1,000 children.
Charissa currently serves as the Secretary/Communications Chair for the Women Inspiring Women Leaders Chapter of the American Business Women Association (ABWA) in Fredericksburg, VA. Not only does Charissa serve her community, but she is also active in ministries in her church.
Charissa is a wife and mother of four sons. She also has four adorable grandchildren, to whom she affectionately refers to as her GrandBlessings. She has the heart to serve and lives by the phrase "Always WithinReach".
April Minor, Director of Caring Connections Youth Program
April Minor is a Washington, D.C. native primarily raised in Northern Virginia. She is a wife to her middle school sweetheart and a mother to two adult children. In 2002, April joined the United States Air Force as a Military Police Officer (Security Forces) stationed in F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After her time of service, she and her husband settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time her family, running and dancing. She currently serves in the Hospitality Ministry at her local church, Vision Community Church of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
April began her career with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). After hardwork and dedication, she was appointed as the Deputy Director for a pilot program, DOD Continuous Evaluation Validation Cell (CEVC). In time, Mrs. Minor was appointed by the Director of NCIS as the Sr. Information Security Specialist. Throughout the course of her career, April has also earned her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration with the distinct honors of Magna Cum Laude from Germanna Community College of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Deborah Newman, Director of Marketing & Communications
Deborah began serving as FailSafe-ERA’s Web Guru since June 2019. She is the owner of Petite Taway Inc, a web design and social media marketing company specializing in working with small businesses and nonprofits. Deborah designs websites for a host of organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad. She provides social media and web management training, designs marketing materials, and creates fundraising plans.
Deborah also provides direction, guidance, and training to aspiring entrepreneurs as well as our second chance citizens. Her passion is helping people who have faced obstacles succeed in business and in life. She is a Buddhist and nature lover and owner of Petite Taway Inc.