A shared mission.

Dr. Shawn D. Bushway

Founder · Chief Scientist

Dr. Shawn Bushway is a nationally recognized criminologist whose pioneering research has reshaped how policymakers, researchers, and employers understand crime, desistance, and opportunity. Over the past two decades, his work has focused on the science of how people move forward with their lives after a conviction—and how data can tell a more complete and accurate story than stigma or assumption ever could.

A professor, researcher, and policy expert, Dr. Bushway has authored influential studies on recidivism patterns, background checks, and the long-term decline in risk that occurs when individuals remain conviction-free. His research has been cited widely in academic, legal, and governmental circles. The Bushway Opportunity Score™, developed from over a decade of multi-state data, reflects his commitment to advancing evidence-based tools that promote fairness while helping employers make more informed decisions.

At Bushway Works, Dr. Bushway leads scientific oversight, model development, and ongoing research partnerships that ensure the organization delivers trustworthy, rigorous, and transparent insights.

Dwight Woods

Co-Founder · Business Operations

Dwight Woods brings a career shaped by service, technical excellence, and a commitment to expanding opportunity for those who have been marginalized by their past justice involvement.

Dwight began his professional journey in the United States military, where he developed the discipline, leadership, and mission focus that would define his career. He later spent almost two decades at Verizon, leading major technical and engineering operations responsible for nationwide network-management systems. His work driving service reliability, operational transparency, and large-scale system innovation earned him a reputation as a transformative and grounded leader capable of delivering complex solutions at scale.

His experiences—both professional and personal—deepened his conviction that the labor market leaves far too many talented people behind simply because of a past conviction. This recognition fuels his dedication to expanding fair-chance hiring and using data to reveal the progress people make every day.

As the business leader of Bushway Works, Dwight oversees strategy, operations, partnerships, and the translation of research into practical products that empower employers and uplift justice-involved individuals. He is driven by a simple belief: a criminal record should not be a permanent barrier to opportunity, and better information can open doors that stigma has long held shut.