Second Chances to Success: Michelle Cirocco's Path to the IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame 

Imagine leading with what many consider your greatest failure at every professional juncture. Michelle Cirocco chose to do that when appointed Chief Responsibility Officer for Televerde five years ago.

Instead of concealing that she started her career with the company while serving a nearly six-year prison sentence, she decided to be bold and authentic in her leadership style, openly sharing her personal experiences with incarceration.

Cirocco's decision to be open about her past has not only transformed her life and career but also the lives of countless women in prison. Her approach has shattered stereotypes, opened doors that were once closed, and significantly reduced the stigma associated with incarceration.

For her significant impact on the outsourcing industry through her unique integration of business with social justice, Cirocco was recognized with her induction into the prestigious IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame at OWS24. This achievement is a testament to the power of giving people a second chance and the critical role enterprises can play in making that happen.

Showing her Authenticity

Cirocco was celebrated by outsourcing professionals gathered at the annual Summit in Chicago. Due to a scheduling conflict, she shared her inspiring personal story via a video acceptance speech.

Cirocco had always been transparent about her past with those close to her and her colleagues. However, elevating this aspect of her life to the forefront of her professional narrative was a new and daunting endeavor. She described it as "leading with what many consider your greatest failure at every professional junction."

"This wasn't merely about openness,” she said. “It was about highlighting these experiences as a cornerstone of my professional identity, to underscore the critical importance of second chances."

Despite the risks, Cirocco believed that this bold move was necessary and was proven correct by the response she received. "Business leaders were not only more receptive but also deeply engaged,” she said. “The impact was immediate and profound. I showed them that those affected by incarceration were just like their mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.”

Throughout her career, Cirocco has championed second chances, advocated for justice reform, and promoted opportunities for the often overlooked. She believes that "talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not" and that by creating opportunities for the often overlooked, we can create new pathways for growth and success.

Notable Achievements

Cirocco's commitment to education and community is evident through her MBA from Arizona State University, where she serves on the Dean's Advisory Council. Her passion for sharing ideas and empowering others is reflected in her work organizing and hosting the first TEDx talk at an Arizona prison, the Perryville Correctional Center, in 2018.

As an advocate for justice reform, Cirocco serves as an ambassador for Represent Justice and actively participates in the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice as a member of its advisory council. She also contributes her expertise as a board member of the 6th Amendment Center and sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism and Women in Revenue.

A visionary leader, Cirocco has held various leadership positions at Televerde, including Chief Marketing Officer. She started her career with Televerde in 1999, working in the call center in an Arizona prison, and today also serves as Executive Director of the Televerde Foundation.

Her dedication to social impact has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the world's most influential women in conscious business by Conscious Company Magazine and the Phoenix Business Journal's Most Admired Leader.

Televerde’s Mission

Cirocco credited her late boss, Jim Hooker, with transforming Televerde from its humble beginnings in a single-wide trailer on the grounds of an Arizona women's prison to a global organization with over 650 employees, 60 percent of whom are incarcerated in five US prison facilities across Arizona, Indiana, and Florida.

“Jim believed in a purpose-driven business before it was recognized. His vision and commitment paved the way for everything we have achieved today,” she said.

Televerde’s mission is to provide currently and formerly incarcerated women with the personal and professional development programs necessary to join and advance in the global workplace successfully.

Its approach develops self-efficacy by inspiring creativity, imagination, self-confidence, and social skills while addressing issues that cause recidivism. The company enables women to break the generational cycle of poverty and incarceration by becoming positive role models to change the lives of future generations and build stronger communities.

Cirocco emphasized the importance of championing second chances and reflected on the evolution of societal norms regarding the stigma of incarceration.

“By championing second chances, we create entirely new pathways for those often overlooked,” she said. “This recognition by IAOP tonight underscores the evolution of societal norms concerning the stigma of incarceration and second chances and the powerful role that businesses can play in this transformative process.”

IAOP recognized Televerde as a leading global impact sourcing provider in 2020 with the Global Impact Sourcing Award.

Lifting Others

Cirocco takes immense pride in witnessing the success of those who have worked alongside her, crediting the achievements of "all the talented legacy members and our current team who have made this journey possible."

Cirocco defined leadership as "believing in others until they can believe in themselves" and emphasized the importance of providing unwavering support, resources, and encouragement to empower others to navigate their lives and careers.

Reflecting on her experiences, she highlighted the significance of sharing successes and failures. "The power of relationships, resilience, and yes, even grit and failure, is where the most profound growth occurs," she shared.

Expressing her gratitude to IAOP and everyone who believes in the transformative power of second chances, Cirocco ended her remarks with an inspiring call to action: "Here's to embracing the impossible, trusting in our vision, and celebrating everyone who strives to make a positive impact. “Let's continue to make a difference together."