SHAILLY AGNIHOTRI / FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

The Restorative Center was founded by Shailly Agnihotri in response to the heartbreak she experienced as a public defender trying to attain justice for her clients. TRC program development is a direct answer to the consequences of the privatization of prisons, the institutionalism of racism, and the criminalization of poverty. 

Shailly has presented at conferences around the world on TRC's vision for an independent free-standing model for Restorative Justice, codified as the Newburgh Model. She has led trainings in TRC's distinct model of RJ for community members, teens, social workers and attorneys. She has facilitated restorative justice circles for schools, community centers, organizations and the workplace.

Shailly spent more than 20 years as an attorney, with expertise in criminal justice through working as a prosecutor (Orleans Parish), teaching (Georgetown Law School, Southern University Law Center), and as a public defender (New York City). She had the privilege of studying (as a Prettyman Fellow) with Professor William Greenhalgh, whose love for the Constitution and the rights it affords the accused inspired her legal career. She has come to understand the power of facilitated Restorative Justice circles to guide individuals and communities to a deeper emergent wisdom of justice. She has a J.D. (cum laude) from Tulane Law School and an LL.M. (Prettyman Fellowship) from Georgetown Law.

Her published works include: 

• Shailly Agnihotri & Cassie Veach, Reclaiming Restorative Justice: An Alternate Paradigm for Justice 20 CUNY L. Rev. 323 (2017)

• Shailly Agnihotri & Nicolas Schumann, Orders of Protection & the Disappearance of Due Process, ATTICUS, Summer 2012, at 18

• Avoid Agony, Queens Noir anthology published by Akashic Books

Shailly is a yoga and mediation teacher (RYT 500-hours with advanced work in yoga philosophy, yoga Nidra, and restorative yoga), a playwright (Mata Gee; Cosmic Dancer), a filmmaker (Three Soldiers, The Bride Wears Red), and a published author. She has been studying yoga philosophy with Tantric master Alan Finger with whom she is working on a book called City of Maya—Life Lessons From The Gita. She is also currently writing a book on her journey as an Attorney to Restorative Justice entitled FireKeeper: The Unclaimed Heart of Justice. 

Shailly previously hosted an internationally-broadcasted talk show for the Indian diaspora called Let’s Talk and now hosts a podcast on restorative justice, Justice Reimagined. 

Shailly is available to speak at events on the application of lessons learned from restorative justice. More media can be found here.

Shailly is the mother of Nicholas and Miraya, two amazing individuals who never cease to dazzle her.

shailly@therestorativecenter.org

DEIRDRE WILLIAMS / LCSW, DSW

Deirdre Williams, LCSW, SIFI, DSW holds a Doctor of Social Welfare with a concentration in Social Work from New York University. She is a skilled clinical and forensic social worker with a specialty in working with court-involved individuals. As an adjunct professor and SIFI instructor, she demonstrates experience in the higher education industry. She has taught remotely at Fordham University (Advanced Integrative Practice with Organizations and Communities) and in-person at New York University (MSW level Policy I). She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and a charter member of the Sigma Beta Chapter of the illustrious Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

In all her work, Deirdre employs a level of mindfulness and commitment to the treatment process to create settings that respect all identities. Her hands-on approach creates a space for understanding, validation, and curiosity about the narratives and lived truths of others to build accountability and address patterns of internal and transgenerational discords. Her dedicated work with The Restorative Center provides a foundation that addresses gaps in various systems as it supports the individual and/or unit to remain vulnerable and authentic.

MELODY RASHADA

Melody Rashada began her professional career in the accounting field and retired in the field of pastoral care as a chaplain at correctional facilities for women in New York State. She possesses a certified certificate for teaching English as a second language, has completed and earned certification in mediation and conflict resolution, and teaches basic Arabic.  Melody has earned several degrees, including an AAS in Accounting with Computer Science, a BA in Organizational Management, and a Masters in Islamic and Social Sciences.  Since retiring from DOCCS, Melody focuses her time on a family-owned business, Come Unity Link, LLC.
 
Melody’s many volunteer experiences within the Muslim community, the larger community, and with The Restorative Center has broadened her life experience. She feels blessed to have been married over 41 years. She is the mother of two sons and the grandmother of 1 boy and 2 girls. Melody is a self-published author and enjoys spending her days engaging in quality time with her family and socializing with other women. She believes in the necessity of experiencing different cultures and has traveled to Makkah for Hajj, Madinah, Paris, Egypt, Panama, Columbia, Hawaii, Alaska, the Grand Canyon and several Caribbean islands.

ELIZABETH CHASE TOKSU

I am an advocate for patients in NYC acute care hospitals. I began my work during the AIDS epidemic and am currently in cancer care. My life unfolded parallel to listening to staff and patient perspectives, in an effort to enhance care and understanding. After tragedy struck my life in the most profound way, I understood the importance of having the opportunity to connect with others by being the teller (and not only the listener) of my own stories. This was possible thanks to an excellent therapist (an expert in the humanities) and my coursework at Columbia University’s Narrative Medicine program. It was an irreplaceable opportunity to both write and speak my stories, first with an assigned storytelling partner and then in a performance. The initial one-on-one therapeutic support empowered me to follow my interests by pursuing a graduate degree in Narrative Medicine, a relatively new interdisciplinary field which places patients/families and their life stories back where they belong: at the center of their care.
 
It was a chance reunion with Shailly. We were walking along 68th Street in opposite directions, both in the middle of cell phone calls. She was on the phone with her son, celebrating his birthday and I was on the phone with my mother-in-law, consoling her about the loss of her same age grandson. Out of a chance encounter was born this storytelling collaboration on behalf of a shared vision for restorative justice. Two teachers who are both mental health and theatre professionals, Dr. Murray Nossel and Dr. Paul Browde, taught me their “What Happened” method. Their method involves stating only the facts of stories, leaving out description of the emotions experienced. The idea is to trust that the listener will more fully experience and understand the teller’s feelings through the story’s rich description than by the teller saying “and that made me feel really bad.” These teachers also convinced me that it is the listening that shapes the telling.

As a mid-life recipient of support, I am equipped and inspired to provide support for others as we all make our way in the world. We need to give second, third, and fourth chances to one another, something that functional and humane societies know to be key to the ultimate success of its members. My educational background is in History and Fine Arts. My current interests include everything under (and over) the sun and moon, especially storytelling, museum education, collaging, and therapeutic poetry writing. Everyday life, nature, people, and the mysteries of life inspire me to continue seeking and striving to do and be my best — for myself and for others.

KEITH J. MORSE

LOUISIANA PAROLE & CLEMENCY PROJECT COORDINATOR

Keith J. Morse is a formerly incarcerated individual who was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1994. He served 27 years at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. Mr. Morse was granted a pardon by the Governor of Louisiana in August of 2020 and was released in December of that same year. On his road to redemption Mr. Morse earned a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry, with a minor in Pastoral Care from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Mr. Morse is the co-founder of the B.E.L.O.V.E.D. Community for Restorative Justice (Bridge to Enhance of The Lives of Victims and Offenders through Education and Dialogue) and the author of "Finding Higher Ground: A Spiritual Guide for Incarcerated Men."

KeithMorse@TheRestorativeCenter.org

MARINA LITVINSKAYA

Marina Litvinskaya is a visual artist born in the Soviet Union and raised in Brooklyn. She is investigating, experimenting, and showing up for the purposes of finding a way through into an equitable present.

RICHIE ROSENCRANS

Richie Rosencrans is the great grandson of Newburgh residents that came to the city in the 1800s to look for work. His family continues to serve their neighbors with pride as grocers, butchers, bakers, deli owners, factory workers, delivery drivers, school staff/CSEA reps, librarians and teachers. Richie graduated NFA in 1995. He joined the US Army and earned a degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Defense Language Institute. Upon leaving active duty and transitioning to the NY Army National Guard, Richie came back to Newburgh to pursue his education at SUNY New Paltz. While studying History and English at SUNY New Paltz, his NYARNG unit was activated to perform security operations in NYC in the wake of 9/11. Richie graduated in 2004. He moved to the PacNW for a spell and returned to Newburgh after a life-changing interaction: a professional writer who'd retired out there from NYC thought Richie belonged in Newburgh. As fate would have it, his reason for moving west came to an end. The message: go home, fight for your community.

After landing a day job at a local historic site, Richie volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore where he made a lot of connections. He joined the Architectural Review Commission to help promote preservation as a model for community restoration and the Historical Society Board of Trustees to leverage the city's history as a driver for the local working class economy, work he feels is vital to Newburgh's future. In that effort, he helped create The Fullerton Center where he met TRC founder Shailly Agnihotri when she held training sessions there. TRC's community-based “Newburgh Model” gave Richie a new purpose in life and showed him that restorative justice is key in working to build solidarity and sovereignty with his neighbors. He strongly believes in the four principles of Hip-Hop Culture that he first saw and heard as a child: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun!!

ALISHA KOHN

Alisha Kohn is a transgendered womxn and formerly incarcerated resident living, working, playing, loving, and fighting for change in the city of Newburgh, NY. After spending ten years behind bars, she knows first hand the cycles of trauma that are perpetuated through being incarcerated. She uses her trauma and her passion as a transformative practice to move forward an abolitionist movement in the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Alisha is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in Human Services at SUNY Orange. In her role as the Director for the Queers Justice committee with the Newburgh LGBTQ+ Center, she is a leader for advocacy, research, and civic engagement work. In her work to further strategy to divest from prisons, Alisha has taken a role with Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) as Vice President. AVP brings conflict resolution workshops to prisons and in the community, drawing from the interpersonal transforming power each individual has within themselves.

When Alisha is not destroying the prison system she loves to cook, play video games, binge-watches TV shows, and spending time strengthening her relationships with her loved ones.

MONETTE DAWSON

Monette Dawson is an army veteran, former lawyer, current certified yoga instructor, wife, and mother of three. She discovered The Restorative Center through a wise friend who knew Monette was searching for effective solutions to the injustices and inequalities all around us. Intrigued by TRC’s circle keeping process and its healing potential, Monette is committed to assisting The Restorative Center in expanding the deployment and reach of restorative circles. In her spare time, Monette plays the cello for fun.

DAWN VALENTINE

Dawn is an environmental health advocate, evaluation consultant, and yogi. Her work in public health and public policy made her realize that in spite of strides made in policy and research, people overall were not getting better and communities were stressed to the point of breaking. While working in the community, Dawn came to the conclusion that while we have the answers to solve problems, we do not always have the tools of contemplative practices that offer unification. Dawn now offers asset-based evaluation practices to environmental and social justice organizations as well as classical yoga therapy to people who are suffering. Dawn is thrilled and honored with the opportunity to work with the Restorative Center to collectively hold space for community transformation. 

DEBORAH AMANN

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Deborah is navigating the world along with everyone else.

YING SITU

Ying is a legal advocate, educator, and community organizer. She grew up in Chinatown and lives in Queens, New York on Lenape land, two geographies that have shaped her commitment to the working class struggle. In her free time, Ying enjoys writing, watching movies, making mixtapes, and taking long walks towards bodies of water.

TRINIDY JETER

Trinidy Jeter is an Ohio native whose early years were fueled with the common mantra of “getting as much knowledge as you can to make something out of yourself.” She grew up in an intergenerational household with a cohesive family, community support team, and dedicated mentors that challenged her to envision accomplishments beyond general standards. Because of this support network, her imagination soared, allowing her to dream bodacious dreams and hold fast to them until they manifested into realities. The awareness of opportunities provided in her early years profoundly shaped her into the person that she is today. 

Trinidy has served as an administrator in higher education for nearly 20 years. She has a BA in Black Studies from Denison University, an MA in Higher Education Administration from The Ohio State University, a certification in Intercultural Dialogue from the University of Michigan, and a certification in Civil Rights and ATIXA from the ATIXA Institute. She is an administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and is certified as a Qualified Interpreter for Myers-Briggs Personality Type Inventory by the MBTI LLC. She is a champion and consultant for equity and inclusion, change management, and employee resource groups. She is motivated by purpose driven-work to elevate healthy, meaningful, and memorable experiences for others. Restorative Justice provides an opportunity to “lean in” to matters and share our stories while casting our gaze unto limitless possibilities for groups committed to the RJ experience. Trinidy is humbled to be a Circle Keeper and to help cultivate an atmosphere of a culture of authenticity and storytelling.   

Ahmari Anthony

Ahmari Anthony was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and is currently based in Washington, DC. She is a writer and journalist who received her undergraduate degree in journalism and English at Howard University, where she is also currently an MSW candidate studying macro social work. She is an organizer who has experience combatting the school-to-prison pipeline, working with incarcerated youth, and educating communities about restorative justice. She is the co-founder of Just Us, an abolitionist youth organization based in DC. Ahmari enjoys circle keeping because it provides her the opportunity to enact her passion for truth, communication, and connection. In her free time, Ahmari enjoys learning languages, analyzing movies and TV shows, visiting museums, and reading.

BRIAN BOURDIERD

Brian Bourdierd is a youth leader from the Bronx, NY. He has been working for The Restorative Center in Restorative Justice training for teachers, lawyers, and youth since he was a freshman in high school in 2016. Throughout the years, he has taught high schoolers, middle schoolers, and elementary school children about restorative justice and how to lead their circles in their classrooms. Now, he is developing a project to bring this form of restorative justice to places of environmental crisis to combat the hunting of endangered species.

Tamara Veal

Tamara Veal started her legal career at a young age as a Criminology student at Florida State University. She then became Vice President of a pre-law organization geared towards equipping minorities interested in law with the skills and tools needed to be successful in law school. Right before departing from Tallahassee, she interned at the Leon County Public Defenders office, serving as an intake specialist. This inspired her to understand the process an individual goes through in the justice system. She is now continuing her law degree at Southern University Law Center and plans to pursue a career in criminal prosecution upon her graduation in May 2022. In her free time, she used to build houses with the St. Bernard Project through AmeriCorps and enjoys watching documentaries. Her goal and mission is to become a federal prosecutor. She is very excited to be a part of The Restorative Center.

Ann Foster

Ann Foster lives and works as a teacher in the Boston area. A commitment to non-violence brought her to the Quakers and to her first experience in circles held there with the formerly incarcerated and their families. She continues circle work at her job and through organizations in the Boston area, Seattle, WA and Newburgh, NY.

Nirmala Nataraj

Nirmala Nataraj is a New York–based writer, editor, book midwife, theater artist, and mythmaker. Her work lives at the crossroads of creativity, mythology, storytelling, and collective liberation. As a multi-genre collaborator and creative facilitator, she believes in generative solutions in the midst of chaos, the coexistence of messiness and magic, and breathtaking beauty as a natural consequence of this wild ride. She is trained in a variety of methods of narrative-based collective healing, all of which she brings to her creative work, including: Family Constellations, Psychodrama, Playback Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, and, of course, the TRC Restorative Justice process. Some of the passions she brings to facilitation include movement (especially 5 Rhythms), guided visualization, and creative writing from unexpected prompts. Find out more about her at nirmalanataraj.com.

Susan Brunenavs

Susan is a former banker and current writer and nonprofit administrator. She is a detail-oriented professional who approaches all work with an eye for managing risk, a head for analyzing data and a passion for effective communication. She is active in her community in the schools and with a local refugee resettlement organization. Throughout all of her work, Susan seeks to improve lives and strengthen communities.

Jose Dominguez

Jose Dominguez [he/him] is an executive coach, trainer and resource mobilizer.  His approach to working with clients and communities is based on appreciative inquiry, emotional intelligence, personal choice, and commitment to action. Jose has a background working in the public schools as an artist-educator, as a nonprofit executive and Board member, and has le DEI initiatives as both a leader and a facilitator.  He believes in using questioning, reflection, support and challenge to help create a new understanding of the situation, and exploring the opportunities, aspects and dynamics in the situation to decide on the right course of action.  Jose lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. 

David Graham

David Graham has been an Albany County resident his entire life. He lived in West Hill for about 10 years and currently serves in Arbor Hill as Community Justice and Outreach Manager for the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. He has overseen Community Justice, Outreach and Youth programs since 2016.

David Graham is a graduate of the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute at Utica-Rome with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology along with an Associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College. After completing his college education, he was employed in the engineering field for 3 years. With a burden and heart for the local community’s youth, David decided to part from a lucrative career in engineering. He has spent over two decades informally mentoring countless young people through the Albany YMCA, Abrookin Career and Technical Center/Albany High School, Arbor Hill Community Center and various summer programs. David endeavors to make Albany a better place by implementing a national mentoring project at the Tony Clement Center for Education. Albany’s alternative learning center. He often finds his work to be very rewarding, witnessing labeled and marginalized youth with behavioral issues grow to become productive students. Some of these students have become recognized awardees of Student of the Month, Best/ Perfect Attendance, Highest School Grade Point Average, and more.

Through his work with Community Solutions (based in Manhattan), David led Albany community engagement for the Governor’s 2014 anti-poverty initiative, Community Opportunity for Reinvestment (CORe). In that role he worked to better align agencies, residents and resources in an effort to improve neighborhood conditions and outcomes. Additionally, David continues to create opportunities for Albany's young people by hosting educational workshops, running a federal law enforcement sponsored sports training academy, a local law enforcement sponsored basketball league, and facilitating local Teen Night events with Albany Gang Prevention.

David has been honored and humbly received various community leadership awards and attributes them to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote and philosophy that, “…everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” Some of David's Awards include:

● 2018 OVATION Award from the Tony Clement Center for Education
● 2017 WMHT American Graduate Award
● 2010 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award from Robert Muller

Alysia Mazzella

Alysia Mazzella is an artisan candlemaker, beekeeper, and mother. She is a founding member of TRC’s The Newburgh Model which has enriched her life through the magic of circle work, fourfold cycles, and regenerative relationship. 

SORINEL MOREL

Sorinel was born and raised in Brooklyn and is currently living in Manhattan, both vibrant and diverse boroughs in New York City. She is a passionate, reflective, and experienced educator, who is deeply committed to developing young learners to reach their highest potential.  Being an educator means being a model of excellence for others, a support structure for families, and an advocate for all children!  She firmly believes in the power of restorative justice to create a nurturing and transformative learning environment. She strives to foster empathy and understanding among her students, encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions and make amends. By embracing restorative practices, she aims to build a strong sense of community in the classroom, where conflicts are opportunities for growth and healing, leading to more meaningful connections and a positive impact on each student's personal and academic journey.

Outside of education, Sorinel is a yoga and fitness instructor. She is passionate about promoting physical and mental well-being and helping others cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace. Sharing the transformative benefits of these practices brings her joy and fulfillment, as she witnesses her students' growth and progress on their wellness journeys. Her dedication to guiding others toward a healthier lifestyle through health and wellness is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on their lives.  She’s found a profound alignment in teaching yoga/fitness and restorative justice.  Both emphasize compassion, healing and create a supportive space for growth and transformation, whether on the mat or in addressing conflicts.

DANIEL ARSHACK / VICE PRESIDENT

Daniel N. Arshack, Esq. focuses on the criminal defense and civil rights of individuals and business in state and federal courts in the United States and in various jurisdictions throughout the world.
 
Mr. Arshack was elected President of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2007. In addition, he is the elected representative of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) to the Council of the International Criminal Bar (ICB), a member of the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Defense Attorneys Association - USA (ICDAA), Co-Chairman of the International Committee of the NACDL, and a member of the Board of New York Sun Works. Mr. Arshack has appeared, in relation to his cases, as a commentator on The Today Show, Night Line with Ted Koeppel, The Queen Latifa Show, CBS, NBC and ABC News and on Court TV.
 
In addition to criminal cases, Mr. Arshack handles a variety of challenging civil actions and commercial cases generally involving protecting the interests of individuals against large institutions, and those who have been abused by their therapists, teachers or priests.
 
Mr. Arshack is engaged in issues relating to national and international law reform. He played a central role in Paris and Berlin, in creating and drafting the constitution for the newly formed ICB which provides a voice for all counsel appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC). He has been an active NGO delegate for the NACDL at the United Nations Preparatory Commission on the ICC. He was a drafter of the Rules of Professional Conduct submitted by the ICB to the ICC for attorneys from around the world who will be appearing before the ICC.
 
ARSHACK, HAJEK & LEHRMAN, PLLC
www.lawahl.com

MANISH SRIVASTAVA / SECRETARY - TREASURER

Manish Srivastava is a professor of real estate finance, investments, and development at New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate where he was formerly also the real estate finance program chair and the academic chair of the program. Professor Srivastava is also a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy. He has previously also taught at the Columbia University in New York City.

Manish is a regular speaker on various international forums and has delivered keynote lectures across various academic, institutional, and corporate forums in Asia, Europe, North and South Americas.

Manish graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with dual Master of Science degrees in Real Estate (with a focus on real estate finance and development) and Architecture (with a focus on Islamic Architecture). At MIT, he was an Aga Khan Scholar. Manish also earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the College of Architecture at the University of Lucknow in India.

TIMOTHY ROUNTREE

Since 2005 Timothy Rountree has been the Attorney-in-Charge of the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Practice in Queens County New York. Tim’s office – one of five Legal Aid trial offices in New York City - provides legal and managerial leadership for a 170 plus person team comprised of staff attorneys, supervising attorneys, and support staff, including investigators, social workers, and paralegals. He is responsible for office operations, staff hiring and development, including office-wide decision making and representing the Legal Aid Society and Criminal Defense Practice client interests in Criminal Court and wider community. The Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Practice is the largest and oldest public defender organization in the country, as well as the primary provider of indigent criminal defense services in New York City.

Before being appointed to his current position, Tim was the Deputy Attorney-in-Charge of the Capital Division of the Legal Aid Society. Before that he was a Staff Attorney in the Capital Division. The Capital Division represented individuals charged with first degree murder and facing the death penalty. The death penalty law was re-enacted in New York State in 1995. The law has since been found unconstitutional. In 1998 Tim was part of a team of attorneys who defended Darryl Harris at trial in the case of People of the State of New York v. Darryl Harris, the first death penalty trial in New York State once the death penalty was re-enacted.
Tim began his legal career at the Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney in 1987. He Became a Supervising Attorney in 2004. He was also the Supervising Attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic at Hofstra University School of Law. He was an adjunct faculty member in New York Law School’s Criminal Law Clinic and an adjunct instructor at Baruch College and Monroe College. Tim is an adjunct faculty member at St. John’s University and is an active team member in new attorney training for Legal Aid’s Criminal Defense Practice.

Tim is a recipient of the New York State Bar Association, Denison Ray Criminal Defender Staff Award for Indigent Representation. He is an inductee into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni at his high school alma mater, New Brunswick High School in New Brunswick, New Jersey and a St. John’s University, Legal Studies Leadership Award winner. He received a BA in English with honors from Howard University and a JD from American University, Washington College of Law. Tim will take ledership in nurturing and growing TRC’s NextGen CircleKeepers programs.

ERICA DAVIS

Across her more than 20 years as an educator in the New York City public schools, Erica has worn many hats. In schools across both Brooklyn and Manhattan she has taught a range of both lower and upper grades, supported teachers as an instructional coach, and served as a school building leader. Her studies at Washington University and Brooklyn College laid the groundwork for her teaching, particularly in math, social studies and social-emotional learning.  After graduating from the Principals Institute at Bank Street College she put her leadership in action as an Assistant Principal and as a centrally-based administrator at the Brooklyn North Field Support Center, supporting the instructional needs of diverse schools across New York City.  She is currently the Interim Acting Principal of PS 261 in Boreum Hill Brooklyn.  An important part of her work has always been around deepening the social-emotional learning of children and striving to ensure that all children feel seen by their teachers, their community, and the curriculum. It is her desire to deepen the restorative practices in schools that brought her to working with TRC.  

WAFARI BUGUA GILRUTH

Wafari has spent the last ten years working in real estate development and management in low- and middle-income communities throughout Nairobi, Kenya. A native of Kenya, Wafari’s real estate work aims to improve the living condition of the working poor, foster a sense of community while enhancing the natural environment.

In addition to this work, Wafari recently launched COVID-19 response efforts in informal settlement communities now commonly found in rural Kenya.  She leads fundraising efforts that focus on buying and distributing food to those whose livelihood has been diminished by the pandemic. Wafari has also been leading fundraising initiatives to distribute masks for public hospital staff in an effort to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Wafari is passionate about empowering vulnerable populations. Prior to relocating to Kenya, Wafari lived in the United States for over 20 years, where she served as a public health professional. She previously worked at the NYC Department of Health Bureau of Tuberculosis Control, serving as a health educator to primary care givers who worked with urban indigenous populations.  Prior to New York, she held positions in other areas of public health including family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, and health education in Arizona, U.S.A.

PETER SIMON

Peter Simon is a retired marketing research and retail executive with an MBA from NYU. For the past six years Peter has been mentoring high school students as part of iMentor. Peter is also the vice-president of The Richard and Trude Weininger Foundation.
More recently, Peter completed mediation training at The New York Peace Institute.

Nicholas Burka

Nicholas Agnihotri Burka's mother birthed him in New York City, where he grew and first learned selfhood, friendship, and community. He studies and builds technology at Cornell Tech, specializing in digital privacy. Professionally, he's built a prototype multi-blockchain web app, coded the core process for an automated factory machine, studied police officers during ride-alongs, taught music skills to children, and fixed cell phones.Nicholas loves restorative justice and energy work. He's attended several TRC trainings, sat in and facilitated circles, and so feels passionately about the experience of truth that the structure of TRC's model facilitates. He loves to play music and to dance. Inspired by John Coltrane, he plays tenor saxophone, and remains inspired and informed by jazz music.

ROSY ARROYO

Rosy has always been a strong advocate for the children, youth and families of the community. Rosy is employed by Camden County as the Youth Services Commission Administrator and Community Engagement Re-Entry Coordinator. In 2015, Rosy became Co-Chair of the New Jersey Association County Youth Service Commission Administrators (NJACYSCA), where she is responsible for the oversight and direction of the youth services programs in 21 counties. Rosy has overseen the data design and planning management of the Youth Service Commission, Juvenile Detention Alternative Innovations, Prevention Programming, Community Engagement, youth and law enforcement engagement, and Family Engagement Strategies. Rosy’s extensive professional and personal experiences have given her a unique understanding of the needs that youth and their families are facing today. Most recently, Rosy has embarked on implementing Restorative Justice Practices in the City of Camden, helping support the implementation of the Restorative and Transformative Justice HUB that will make The City of Camden a restorative City.  

TAJUANA JOHNSON / PAST PRESIDENT

Tajuana Johnson is a 2007 graduate of the City of New York (CUNY) School of Law. Ms. Johnson is a Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Practice (Integrated Domestic Violence Division) in Manhattan, where she represents persons accused of domestic violence in both their criminal and family court cases. Prior to joining the Domestic Violence Unit, she worked in the Legal Aid Bronx Office in the Juvenile Rights Practice division. Tajuana received her B.A. in English Literature from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught for the NYC Department of Education as a Special Education and High School English teacher. During her 3rd year at CUNY, Tajuana received an offer to clerk for the Hon. Miguel de la Cerrera in Passaic County, NJ. While at CUNY she was a part of the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, studied abroad in Capetown, South Africa, and was a Project Equity Fellow from 2004-2007. 

REV. DR. KRIS E. WATSON

Born and raised in Harlem, New York to Hon. James L. Watson, and D’Jaris H. Watson, Rev. Kris is a licensed attorney and an ordained minister with full standing in the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Kris is a graduate of Vassar College, and the Fordham University School of Law where she obtained her B.A. and Doctor of Juris Prudence degrees. She served as an Assistant District attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office for several years before entering into the private practice of law. In addition to the practice of law, she has been an executive at several non-profit organizations, including the Fortune Society, the Doe Fund, and Family Justice, Inc. She has served as an organizational consultant, training consultant, change manager and advisor to the City of San Francisco. In 2014, she received her Master of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary, earning the Larry and Inez Perry award for excellence in Biblical studies. She later completed two years towards her Doctor of Ministry degree.

In 2015, Rev. Kris was called as the Associate Pastor at Safe Haven UCC. One year later, she was granted full ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. At Safe Haven UCC, Rev. Kris serves on the Executive Council, leads the Evangelism ministry, preaches, teaches, and provides pastoral counseling, and plans services and events.

Kris is a gifted attorney, a social justice advocate, a trained mediator, teacher, trainer, group facilitator, non-profit consultant, and an effective preacher of the gospel. She is dedicated to personal and communal transformation through the power of love, vulnerability andauthenticity.

ANTHONY POSADA

Anthony Posada is a Supervising Attorney for the Community Justice Unit of the Legal Aid Society.  Anthony graduated from CUNY School of Law at Queens College where he received his JD in 2012 with a specialization in Community Economic Development, Immigration and Deportation Defense.   Anthony is also the son of a Colombian immigrant father, recently deported, who spend more than two decades incarcerated in the US prison system.  Growing up fully aware of the disproportionate targeting of poor people and people of color by the US criminal justice system, Anthony early on turned his attention to seeking justice for those people systematically targeted and cast aside in the very country where they hoped to prosper. 

Through his work in the Legal Aid Community Justice Unit, Anthony  has  provided legal services to members of “Cure Violence” Programs. Cure Violence focuses on gun violence as a national health issue. It works with likely victims to change social norms that have perpetuated the deaths of both individuals and communities.  Anthony’s work does not stop with his job.  As always he has been deeply engaged with struggling communities and has given his own time and talent to many efforts to seek social justice.  In 2010 he started Project Attica: Community Through the Arts, a collective of lawyers, activists, community members, and artists dedicated to spreading the message of using art to empower underserved youth and communities.   He currently serves on its board as Art Programs Director, and when he isn't busy helping young people get their activist messages onto T-shirts, he is posting calls to action on Twitter and occasionally adding his own drawings.

BISI IDERAABDULLAH

Bisi has 3 decades of experience in the non-profit world and abroad pioneering in the name of advocacy for women, children, Education and literacy. She began her work founding the Nile Center for Education, in Miami Florida. She then founded a new organization in Liberia, during the civil war which assisted …. and brought this organization, Imani House, to Brooklyn, NY where it has over seen a multi-agency effort to promost adult literacy and children’s after school programs. She has also put her expertise to use as a consultant for various human rights programs over the years.

JEAN KOERNER

Jean is a master yoga teacher working in NYC for more than 20 years who has also trained a generation of yoga teachers in the art of alignment, breath and integrating themes. Jean has been recognized in many magazines for her singular yoga career and was also featured in over 30 nationally televised Yoga Zone episodes. Jean was formerly a co-owner of Be Yoga Studios in Manhattan and developed teacher's training programs for two major yoga studios, Yoga Works and Be Yoga. She is also a senior teacher trainer at ISHTA yoga. 

Jean is proud to a part of this inspiring project which comes from the heart.

JeanKoerner.com

DELESO ALFORD

Professor Alford is a Shreveport, Louisiana native doing ground-breaking work bridging legal and medical education by telling stories—what she refers to as "HER stories"—the unique and particularized lived experiences of black women intersecting with health care and research. She has moved her scholarship into classrooms, benefiting both law and medical students with her racially inflected lessons.

Her forthcoming book, Tuskegee's Forgotten Women: The Untold Side of the U.S. Public Health Services Syphilis Study, sheds light on how women were directly involved in and/or impacted by the U.S. Public Health Services Syphilis Study. This book offers an acknowledgment of the importance of women's voices, and especially black women's voices, in history.

Professor Deleso Alford earned a B.S., magna cum laude at Southern University A&M College, a J.D. at Southern University Law Center, and an LL.M. at Georgetown University Law Center. She has a Certification in Clinical Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin. 

Professor Alford accepted a Visiting Professorship at SULC Fall 2018 – Spring 2019.

During Summer 2019, she taught Torts for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) INC. hosted by Southern University Law Center. She was approved by the SULC Board as full time Professor of Law beginning Fall 2019. She has taught the following courses: Basic Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction, Law and Racism and Torts II. Prior to SULC, Professor Alford taught full-time at Barry University School of Law (2006- 2008), Florida A&M University College of Law, (2008- 2018). At FAMU COL Professor Alford taught Bioethics and the Law, Torts I and II, Race and the Law, Critical Race Theory and a course entitled, “The Cuban Legal System and Society” with a Spring Break in Cuba study abroad travel component.  Additionally, she served as an Adjunct Faculty, Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Education) at University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine (2014- 2019 and has served as the Co-Director of Director of the Longitudinal Curricular Themes (LCT) in Culture, Health, and Society (2014- 2018).

ANGELLE BRADFORD

Angelle has actively worked as a fellow or organizer on campaigns for progressive and democratic candidates, during local, state and federal election cycles spanning from 2012 through 2019. But after the year 2016 in particular, during her stint as an adjunct at Southern University, Angelle decided to shift course and really cultivate relationships with communities across Louisiana, moving from a place that felt more transactional to one of greater intent. Her work most recently reflects a profound commitment to gun violence prevention and a just transition in the face of climate change. She serves as the current leader for the Louisiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action and actively works as an executive committee member with the Sierra Club Delta Chapter, and statewide partners, to strategize and implement policy agendas. Occasionally during election seasons, Angelle will indulge herself by shifting back into organizer mode, helping add capacity, mobilize and connect folks to this work, and the power of the vote. Fully immersed in schooling as a cardiovascular physiology doctoral student, Angelle has focused her energy on leading a more balanced, intentional life this 2020.

PATRICIA BORELLI

Patricia has been working in the marketing intelligence industry for over 15 years, across the industry leading companies: using analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills to inform business strategy. A native from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Patricia and her family moved to the US in 2010.

Patricia’s curiosity and passion about human behavior also brought her to study psychology (Universidade Paulista, Sao Paulo), as well as studying and teaching Yoga and meditation (Brazil, US – Ishta Yoga). She contributed to the conception phase of The Restorative Center as a core team member, and is excited to stay part of the community as a member of the Board.

HARA ROBRISH-FISCHBEIN

Hara Robrish-Fischbein is a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan where she has practiced for the last nine years. She specializes in criminal defense where she represents indigent adult and juvenile clients in New York County Criminal and Supreme Court who are facing felony and/or misdemeanor charges. She has successfully represented defendants in numerous criminal hearings and trials. As part of her practice she often advocates for her clients to attend a variety of programs as an alternative to incarceration. Prior to becoming a public defender, Mrs. Robrish-Fischbein was Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department specializing in tax and bankruptcy litigation.   
 
Mrs. Robrish-Fischbein was recently featured in a Village Voice cover story profiling her efforts to change the current antiquated knife laws in New York State.  She is a member of the New York State Defender Association. 

Mrs. Robrish-Fischbein received her JD from Cardozo Law School in 2004, where she was the Symposium Editor of the Comparative and International Law Journal. She was an active member of the Cardozo Women's Law Student Association and the Cardozo Public Interest Law Student Association. She received a BS from the University of Florida in 2000.

ELYSE FRENCHMAN

Elyse Frenchman is a documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. She is a co-producer with Kunhardt Films, where she worked on True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality (HBO, 2019), King in the Wilderness (HBO, 2018), which chronicles the last three years of MLK Jr.’s life, and The Soul of America (HBO, 2020), a portrait of eras in history that reflect the present. Additionally, she produced and edited John Lewis: His Last March—a tribute to Congressman Lewis, showing his final march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in March 2020. Previously, Elyse created long and short form news specials at MSNBC. Her passion for documentary filmmaking began as a 20-year-old as she documented rapid urbanization across China, where she spent significant time living as a child. She strives to create films that generate positive social change by uplifting voices and shedding light on the untold stories that mold our world. In addition to filmmaking, Elyse is an advocate for criminal justice reform. As a volunteer with the Parole Preparation Project, she works with incarcerated people in prisons across New York State to prepare them for their upcoming parole hearings. She’s also taught re-entry classes in New York City jails.

ROSHAN JHUNJA

Roshan Jhunja has been working in technology and finance in the NYC area for the last 18 years, in various roles spanning software engineering, program management, purchasing and business process analysis. His personal projects have included consulting with several early-stage startups as well as collaborative innovation in the social technology space. In his spare time he has mentored local students ranging from high school to post-graduate. He currently works at Square, Inc managing a team building better apps for retail merchants. Roshan earned his BS in Computer Science and Engineering as a National Merit Scholar at the University of Connecticut, and his MBA in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business. 

MELISSA JHUNJA

For Melissa Jhunja, yoga has been an alternative medicine for mind, body and soul. She enjoys bringing these effects to others, particularly those lacking access but in need of the transformative effects of yoga and meditation. Having practiced for over 10 years, Melissa received her 200 hour certification from Yoga Works in 2012 and her 300 hour certification from ISHTA yoga in 2014. She is also certified to teach restorative yoga, trauma-sensitive yoga, chair yoga and yoga nidra in settings ranging from private and group to corporate.

A Licensed Social Worker, Melissa’s expertise has centered on trauma recovery and trauma-informed practices and instruction. Melissa focuses on bringing yoga to under-served and at risk populations; in addition to veterans and at-risk youth, she feels particularly grateful for the opportunity to bring the healing practice of yoga to prison populations. Off the mat Melissa is an attuned Reiki I practitioner, an animal lover and an avid traveler.

ZAHYR LAUREN

Zahyr Lauren is a law and policy coordinator with Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions, an independent research, training and advocacy Human Justice think tank, founded and developed by academic professionals with prior experience within the criminal punishment system. It is the first of its kind in the country.

Z is excited to be a part of a restorative framework that honors stories, expressions of individual truths, and emerging collective wisdoms in a way that helps build, maintain, and elevate community power. As an attorney working on criminal punishment issues, and as a former Human Rights investigator,  Z has seen, both personally and professionally, the generational consequences of communities being denied their own right to collaborative problem solving. Z understands the importance of training young people and the communities they live in on restorative strategies that do not expose them to justice system involvement. 

Zahyr is also a meditative artist practicing internal peace keeping through the creation of geometric landscapes on paper. Z’s meditations revolve around, and are in honor of, the personal and political freedom of oppressed communities. Each peace is a visual interpretation of the blossoming of the human spirit above and beyond repression. You can check out Zahyr’s artwork on Instagram @kororulesthesun.

Teens Lead the Way: Restorative Justice Fellowship for Teens

LEARN MORE ABOUT TRC TEEN CK TRAININGS

ADRIAN TAVAREZ

Adrian is energetic and some would say - a lot of fun. He has made it a personal goal to attend every circle possible in all boroughs of the city of New York and beyond. He likes being a circle keeper because it is a unique way to develop his leadership skills. He enjoys the process because it is a place where he can speak his mind regardless of the topic. He has trained lawyers, teacher, teens and younger kids in the circle process. He lives in the Bronx and attends high school.

LUIS REYES

Luis is a high school student from the South Bronx with the world ahead of him. He has a plethora of skill up his sleeves and is very optimistic. To him working with TRC opens up his mind to new ideas and new-found ways of doing things. Luis feels everyone needs to connect to their power as people because they lose sight of that due to everything put into "stone" by the system. 

MICHAEL ROMERO

Michael is a part of the fellowship program with TRC. He comes from the South Bronx. He has been a part of many circles around the city of New York. He is trying to make a difference in his community and this process is his step to the right direction. He is working with TRC to build connections with new people and understand their experiences. He is doing his part to build a better world. 

GENESIS MOSQUEA

Genesis finds that TRC helps her toward her goal to give an alternative to automatic punishment. She believes TRC gives a second chance to try and make things right in various situations, and circles can also serve the purpose of getting to know people better. Genesis started in April 2016 and plans on continuing with TRC to develop her communication and problem solving skills.

ARISLENNE MACEDA

Arislenne has been a Teen Leader with The Restorative Center for 3 years. She is a co-trainer who loves collaborating with others no matter their background because she believes everyone has their own story. She is a first year student at Baruch College. 

YANIL

Yanil has been working as a Teen Leader with The Restorative Center for 3 years. Currently a high school student in the South Bronx, she has co-led trainings with lawyers, teachers, community members and many more. She has greatly improved her communication skills through the circle model, and its usage has shaped and changed her views on many issues.