We can transform our life, and the lives of others, when we align ourselves with community leaders. As a former prisoner, I am grateful that I get to count on wisdom from leaders such as Peter Hardin.
Peter embodies a deep sense of service and responsibility. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, he answered the call to serve in the U.S. Marines, where his experiences shaped his dedication to serving our nation. Achieving the rank of Captain, Peter served as a Judge Advocate for more than five years, applying his principles of integrity and leadership to uphold justice.
After completing his service to the US military, he continued to serve as a Deputy District Attorney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, always driven by a vision to create safer communities and support pathways for individuals to reintegrate as contributing citizens.
I first connected with Peter through my friend, Justin Paperny. At the time, Peter was running for Orange County District Attorney, and I admired his public statements about wanting to lower recidivism rates by bringing more programs into jails and prisons. He advocated for a justice system that is not only rigorous in accountability, but also committed to rehabilitation and transformation.
Carole and I met with Peter in our home, and over meals I got to share my vision about building the nonprofit. I appreciated Peter’s openness to new ideas and his dedication to fostering personal responsibility. His values aligned with our mission, and I knew that members of our community would benefit from his wisdom and that I could learn more about personal leadership and corporate stewardship from listening to him.
Peter’s support has been invaluable to me. As a board member of our nonprofit, he offers that I can use to grow and make a bigger impact. His guidance has helped us expand our reach, refine our programs, and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. I’m profoundly grateful for the trust he has placed in me and for the leadership example he sets every day, demonstrating how partnerships between individuals and systems can drive meaningful transformations.
The fact that a former prosecutor supports our work and serves on our board offers validation to our message. It's never too early or too late to live as a productive citizen. We can open new opportunities and relationships with community leaders if we commit to discipline, learning, and becoming more valuable contributors to the world.
