Emily O’Brien is the founder and CEO of Comeback Snacks, a purpose-driven Canadian snack company changing the conversation around second chances, one bag of popcorn at a time. After serving time in federal prison, she rebuilt her life from the ground up and turned one of her greatest setbacks into a nationally recognized brand rooted in hope, accountability, and opportunity.

A passionate advocate for prison reform and second-chance hiring, she creates employment for people with justice-system experience while challenging employers to rethink talent and potential. She joins the 2026 featured panel on rebuilding a career after a justice journey.