Ruben Gaona, originally from El Paso, Texas, embarked on a transformative journey when he relocated to Milwaukee's Southside at the age of 15. Emerging from a challenging past, Ruben discovered his purpose in assisting others in rewriting their stories.

Following a remarkable journey, Ruben completed eight years of a ten-year Federal sentence by 2017. In 2019, fueled by his commitment to changing lives, he founded 2nd Chance Wisconsin. Through the power of motivational speaking, Ruben began guiding formerly incarcerated individuals toward brighter futures.