Meet Our Staff
At TONE UP Inc., our team is made up of people who know the work—because many of us have lived it.
We are justice-impacted individuals, educators, advocates, strategists, and organizers who believe that reentry should come with dignity, direction, and real support. Some of us have served time. Some of us have family members who have. All of us are committed to rebuilding systems that make room for second chances and long-term success.
Our leadership is made up of people who have overcome the very barriers we work to eliminate: incarceration, separation from family, poverty, and systemic injustice. And our staff brings a deep understanding of what it means to walk alongside someone who’s starting over—whether they’re just returning home, navigating legal barriers, or simply trying to find stable ground.
We don’t just talk about change. We build it—one person, one policy, one program at a time. Meet the people making that happen every day at TONE UP.
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Founder & Co-Executive Director
Antonio Williams is the voice of people who can’t advocate for themselves — and a story of hope. Incarcerated for 14 years, Williams found meaning in mentoring other Black men and organizing them to stand up for their rights, including leading a prison strike that got results.
Williams triumphed over his circumstances and now empowers other black and brown returning citizens to help themselves and others by connecting them to resources and offering personal and leadership development, healing opportunities, and political education to fight for legislation like restoring voting rights.
Through T.O.N.E. U.P. Inc, Antonio wants to help create a space where people do not have to choose between fighting for their continued liberation and economic viability; he wants to inspire and help people to heal and rebuild their lives.
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Co-Executive DirectorLeslie Alvarez is a visionary leader, cultural healer, and lifelong advocate for immigrant justice. Born in Tlalnepantla, Mexico and raised in Minnesota from the age of three, Leslie has dedicated her life to uplifting marginalized voices and organizing for meaningful change. Her advocacy spans campaigns, community education, and cultural healing, with a particular focus on immigrant rights and racial equity.
An Aztec dancer and cultural practitioner, Leslie uses her indigenous heritage as a tool for healing and empowerment—bringing visibility to the cultural rights of immigrant communities across Minnesota. As Co-Executive Director of T.O.N.E. U.P. Inc., she leads with empathy, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of community.
Leslie is also a founding member of The People’s Canvass, a worker-owned cooperative rooted in grassroots power. Her work centers Black and Brown women, offering pathways to leadership, personal development, and resource access. Driven by her own journey of resilience, Leslie continues to build spaces where healing, advocacy, and transformation can thrive.
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Chief Marketing Officer
Felicia is the Chief Marketing Officer of TONE UP Inc., bringing 8 years of marketing leadership across nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors. She leads the organization’s brand, communications, and donor engagement strategy with one clear goal: to make sure the Nation understands the power and urgency of reentry support.
Felicia approaches marketing as a creative, psychological, and people-centered experience—designed to connect the organization to the communities it serves, and to the partners who make its work possible. Her role is focused on telling the story of TONE UP in a way that resonates with funders, amplifies the mission, and brings in the support needed to scale programs, serve more people, and deepen impact.
She also leads messaging to individuals and families impacted by incarceration—ensuring they know T.O.N.E. U.P. inc is here with resources, programs, and real support. Her strategic approach is shaped by years of experience in workforce development, public sector collaboration, and human services—combined with a trauma-aware understanding of how systems shape people’s lives.
“Marketing isn’t about trends or talking points. It’s about connection, trust, and momentum. If people can’t see themselves in your message, they won’t move with you—and our work requires movement.”
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Program Director & Transitional Housing Community CoordinatorLorenzo Heard Jr. is a dedicated program director at T.O.N.E. U.P. Inc a non profit organization committed to supporting individuals in re-entry programs. With a passion for empowering men and women seeking a second chance, Lorenzo works to create opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and community reintegration.
Lorenzo strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
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Lead Program Director
Amy Alvarez Cruz (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for progressive change, community empowerment, immigrant rights and a proud representative of her strong Mexican heritage. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, she brings a deep connection to her roots and a passion for creating positive impact. As the Program Director at T.O.N.E.U.P. Inc, she leads efforts to provide reentry services for formerly incarcerated individuals. With a background as the Canvass Director at The People’s Canvass Co-op, Amy co-founded the cooperative and skillfully directed teams on important projects. Her experience includes leading canvassing teams at Knock Knock LLC, where she engaged voters on key issues.
Amy is deeply connected to her Aztec heritage and remains in touch with her native roots. Her commitment to leadership, mentorship, project management, and decision-making drives her to create a positive impact in the community.
Amy's commitment to leadership, mentorship, project management, and decision-making drives her to create a more just and equitable society.
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Interested In Learning More?
T.O.N.E U.P members are individuals on a mission to embody an exceptional degree of success in achieving a balanced, dignified, productive, and enjoyable way of life. Their primary mission is to serve as guiding lights for their comrades; empowering and uplifting them to reach higher levels of self-possession and self-sufficiency within their own lives and then build collective power.
