Vera Institute of Justice

John Bae is the initiative director with Vera’s Opening Doors to Housing initiative, working to increase housing opportunities for people with conviction histories. He manages national and state efforts to advance changes in housing policy.

Before rejoining Vera in 2021, John worked in philanthropy supporting criminal legal system reform efforts in several states. He helped to launch grantmaking funds focused on criminal justice and supported community reinvestment efforts across the country. During his first tenure at Vera, John worked on Second Chance Pell and helped build out the Opening Doors project. John is also a Second Chance Fellow at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

John holds BA and MA degrees from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.