Our Leadership Team

Sarah Topal, MSW, is a dedicated leader with over 17 years of experience working with justice-impacted individuals. She holds a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, where she also earned a post-master’s certificate in Program Evaluation, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Throughout her career, Sarah has combined her expertise in direct practice with a deep understanding of program design and implementation. She has played a pivotal role in expanding reentry services, ensuring individuals have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives. Her experience includes assisting a nonprofit in scaling from a start-up to a multi-million-dollar organization with programs extending across multiple states.

With experience spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Sarah brings a unique perspective on collaboration, policy, and service delivery. Her passion for social justice and data-driven program development continues to drive her work in creating sustainable, impactful solutions for individuals affected by the justice system.

Shelby Trif serves as the Director of Funding, where she brings a deep passion for reentry work and a commitment to breaking barriers for individuals transitioning from incarceration. Throughout her career, she has seen the challenges justice-involved individuals face when returning home—barriers to housing, healing, and stability that can make a fresh start feel impossible. Shelby is dedicated not only to addressing these challenges for each person but also to driving systemic change that creates more equitable opportunities for all.

Before joining CJM, Shelby built a career at the intersection of law, criminal justice policy, and nonprofit development, working in direct legal services for justice-involved individuals as well as in nonprofit leadership. She has held key roles in strategy, policy, and government partnerships, leading efforts to expand reentry programming, secure and manage public and private funding, and advocate for long-term solutions that reduce recidivism and promote successful reintegration.

At CJM, Shelby continues to blend her expertise in funding and policy with her deep personal commitment to second chances. She and her team work to align CJM’s funding efforts with its mission, ensuring that returning citizens have the resources, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Stefanie has spent the last 22 years working in the social services field as an advocate, activist, investigator, case manager, and correctional educator.  While working at the Family Court-Juvenile Division in St. Louis City, she started volunteering for the Center for Women in Transition ( now Keyway Center for Diversion and Reentry)  because she wanted to tackle a bigger issue- incarcerated parents of children in foster care.  

After joining CWIT as a Case Manager working primarily with post-incarcerated women living in the community including female sex offenders, she continued to advocate for families affected negatively by the foster care system in St. Louis City and County,  St. Charles and Jefferson Counties. 

Switching focus on the family unit, she then started working with incarcerated men in a more reentry role aimed at re-engaging fathers with their children and families while steering them towards a more productive and safe lifestyle.  Stefanie serves on the board of Marsha’s Moms, is Chairperson and community mediator for Community Mediation Services of St. Louis, and is Chairperson Association of African Ancestored Researchers (genealogy) in addition to sitting on several other committees across St. Louis.

She currently works as the Director of Reentry Programs at Criminal Justice Ministry and is an adjunct with Lindenwood and Maryville Universities teaching undergrad criminal justice courses. In her downtime, Stefanie enjoys reading,  painting,  photography,  raising chickens, and spending time with her 2-year-old grandbaby.