As a Fortune staff member, Scotty has seen firsthand the complex needs of those impacted by the criminal legal system and the barriers they often face during reentry. With a passion for this work stemming from college, she has remained a dedicated advocate for our community. Now, Scotty will proudly support Fortune at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3!   

Although the NYC Marathon will be Scotty’s third marathon, it’s her first time running to support an organization. She previously ran in some trail races, the Nashville Marathon and has also competed in several biking races. She lives quite an active lifestyle, running to the pool after work and ending every evening with a bike ride, but for Scotty, this year’s race is about more than competing or beating a personal record.

Working in Transitional Services, also known as RISE (Reentry for Individual Success & Elevation), Scotty spends some days each week at Rikers Island, offering support to individuals preparing for release. Her office overlooks the yard, where she watches many individuals running laps throughout the day and notes how running can act as a form of therapy for individuals inside and in reentry. 

“Using running as a potential outlet for healing is very useful. It gives you the opportunity to stop and think. When you are coming home, there is so much going on. It can be overwhelming. If you can set out 30 minutes of your day, that can be very beneficial to gain clarity and build mental discipline.” 

Running has become not only a great form of exercise for Scotty, but a confidence booster, as well. She admitted that, while it can be tough to find the initial motivation to head out on a run, no matter what, she always feels a sense of pride after completing one. She attends Thursday night meetings at the Castle where she plans to organize a run club with some building residents, hopefully inspiring a new outlet to build confidence and develop healthy habits.  

Several years ago, Scotty was in a biking accident that left her hospitalized for some time, unable to maintain her previously active lifestyle. Frustrated by her reality, she looked forward to when she could start moving again and how to rebuild her strength and confidence. As soon as she was able to, she slowly embarked on her running journey, deciding to run her first half marathon.  

“It was great, but it was very tough,” Scotty shared. “It taught me about the capacity of what I can do, and I realized there are no limits to what we can do. It’s so rewarding, and this journey translates well to the struggle of building yourself up and becoming whole again after having nothing.” 

Scotty can’t wait to run with the Fortune Flyers at the marathon this year. Support her and the rest of the team by helping them reach their goal of $50,000 by November 3!