Allan Wachendorfer joined Vera in 2018 and is a Program Manager for the Unlocking Potential (UP) Initiative. His work with UP includes helping to expand access to high- quality, equitable postsecondary education for people who are incarcerated through technical assistance and policy reform. He co-leads UP’s work on race, equity and inclusion as the team’s go-to for financial aid-related questions and supports UP’s efforts to improve reentry programs in jails and prisons. Prior to joining Vera, Wachendorfer worked as the Director of Public Policy for the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for five years. He is also a founding member of Nation Outside, an organization of formerly incarcerated people with the purpose of civically engaging system-impacted people and creating transformative systems of care in Michigan. He earned a B.S. from Eastern Michigan University and an MSW from the University of Michigan.