Our Founder
Roseanna "Rosey" Ruiz, MSW
Roseanna "Rosey" Ruiz, MSW, CPLC, is the Founder and CEO of both ASPIRE to Win, Inc. and Positive Changes. She also conceived and initiated the City of Houston Re-entry Program at the Mayor's Office in 2001. Her credentials include a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work; Certified Professional Life Coach; Certified Anger Resolution Therapist; and Certified Domestic Violence Therapist. Ms. Ruiz is currently on the Board of Directors of both Aspire to Win, Inc. and the Breaking Chains Making Amends Foundation.
In addition, Ms. Ruiz is a prison/re-entry specialist, consultant, motivational speaker, advocate, and a very active volunteer in both the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Correctional Institutions and Parole Divisions since 1998. She also now serves as a Certified Volunteer Chaplain's Assistant (CVCA) at the TDCJ Darrington Unit. Ms. Ruiz has received numerous honors and awards, including the 2016 Houston Humanitarian Award and the Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. Ms. Ruiz is actively involved in the community, as well as the prisons, parole offices, juvenile facilities, schools, treatment, and transitional facilities. She goes above and beyond the call of duty, working and volunteering tirelessly to affect positive change in individuals, families, our community, and the criminal justice system.
After doing re-entry work with the City of Houston for almost nine years, Rosey decided to strike out on her own to fill a gap in the re-entry services that were being offered in the Houston area. Her goal is to build a sustainable, effective, socially responsible nonprofit organization that makes a real and lasting difference in people's lives. Rosey brings her experience, expertise, and intuitive vision to create innovative programs that inspire change.
Our Team
Kevin Grillo
Carl Williams
Kevin Grillo
Operations Manager
Mr. Kevin Grillo was hired in September of 2015. His background includes over twenty years of experience in business, including administration, management, database development, excellent administrative and computer skills. He is passionate, dedicated, efficient, and effective. Kevin is a great asset to the Executive Director, and the entire ASPIRE to Win agency.
Steven Sosa
Carl Williams
Kevin Grillo
Administrative Assistant
Mr. Steven Sosa worked in the chapel at the Darrington Unit for 3 1/2 years as a Chaplain's Assistant doing administrative work for the Chaplain. He is smart, practices high integrity and is very dependable. Steven was hired on March 30, 2022 primarily as an Administrative Assistant, and he is also being cross-trained as a Case Manager.
Carl Williams
Carl Williams
Carl Williams
IT Specialist & Case Manager
Mr. Carl Williams was hired and trained as a Case Manager in September 2016. In addition, he is our IT Specialist. Carl has over 25 years of experience working with computers and IT equipment. Carl helps our clients learn computer skills and enjoys helping men who served a large amount of time in prison. He is a great asset to ASPIRE to Win in many ways and is a very positive role model for our clients.
Leon McBride
Leon McBride
Carl Williams
Case Manager / Outreach
Mr. Leon McBride graduated from the ASPIRE to Win program. He is smart, helpful and dependable. In addition, he has a passion to help men who served a long time in prison with their transition from prison back into society. Leon was hired in January of 2022 and was trained to do Case Management and Outreach.
Adelle Cyr
Leon McBride
Kevin Colin
Case Manager
Ms. Adelle Cyr was a graduate intern of Social Work at Aspire to Win. She has a passion to teach people how to empower themselves to overcome the obstacles in their lives. Adelle was hired in November of 2021 because of her amazing ability to help these men adjust to society and build meaningful lives for themselves.
Kevin Colin
Leon McBride
Kevin Colin
Case Manager
Mr. Kevin Colin was a graduate intern of Social Work at Aspire to Win. He has a passion to help people and has years of case management experience. He was hired in February 2022 because of his ability to help these men empower themselves to overcome the obstacles in their lives, adjust to society, and build meaningful lives for themselves and their families.
Our Team
In Memory of: Paul Herrera
In Memory of: Paul Herrera
In Memory of: Paul Herrera
Case Manager
Mr. Paul Herrera graduated from the ASPIRE to Win program in 2015. He had a passion for assisting men who served a long time in prison with their transition from prison back into society. Due to his passion, he was hired in October of 2015 and trained as a Case Manager. Paul had a gift for working with these men and was a phenomenal class facilitator. We love and miss him dearly.
In Memory of: Paul Herrera
In Memory of: Paul Herrera