Marianne Carolan
Volunteer Coordinator
Marianne Carolan | Volunteer Coordinator
In addition to her work with CRC, Marianne volunteers as a community member in restorative conferencing at RJCA. With a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology, her jobs have included medical research, psychological testing, retail sales and running her own vegetable/herb seedling business. While raising three children in Minneapolis, Marianne volunteered as a mental health counselor, youth soccer coach, board member in youth sports programs, and committee member in agricultural land organizations. The connecting thread throughout is her desire to recognize and foster individual uniqueness and growth. She values mediation and restorative work because they provide space for that to happen.
Janet Collins
Executive Director
Janet Collins | Executive Director
Janet Collins is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 and mediator at Mediation Unlimited LLC since 2004. Janet has a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from then Hamline University Dispute Resolution Institute, and a master’s degree in Human Development from St. Mary’s University of MN. In 2018, Janet published The Tell Me More Gesture: How & Why to Welcome Conflict. Janet has been a volunteer mediator, facilitator, and circle keeper for CRC since 2003, was on CRC Board 2003-2011, and in 2019, was hired for development and fundraising and to manage organizational training and facilitations.
Lesia Dembley
Housing Program Specialist
Lesia Dembley | Housing Program Specialist
Shirlesia Hawkins Dembley is my name but my friends call me Lesia (Lisa). I have lived in Minneapolis for 31 years. I raised three children and I have 3 grandchildren. I worked for the State of MN for 23 years, 20 of them at Metropolitan State University where I earned a BA in Human Services, and three years at the MN Attorney General’s Office. I recently stepped out on faith and started working with people that are unhoused, because I have compassion for people and want to live in a space where everyone has a warm and safe place to live. I also volunteer and work at a homeless shelter where I cook most of their meals on the weekend. They love it when I cook southern meals, I guess I am a pretty good cook. I am recognized for being calm, approachable and bringing the fun, as well as boosting workplace morale and foster team building.
Jonelle Ellis
Youth Services Manager
Jonelle Ellis | Youth Services Manager
Jonelle was an educator for 20 years in multiple Twin Cities school districts including St. Paul Public Schools and Anoka Hennepin School District. She graduated from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul with a degree in Human Services. She has put her degree to work supporting homeless and highly mobile students, students of color with a particular emphasis on building relationships across difference with staff, students and families. She has lead student retreats on leadership and developed programming for bridging student transition from elementary to middle school and engaged high school students in mentoring youth in younger grades. Jonelle is the mother of three wonderful boys who keep her busy in her down time.
Zina Alston Fizer
Housing Program Manager
Zina Alston Fizer | Housing Program Manager
Zina Alston Fizer was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She attended North Community High School in North Minneapolis and received a BA in Communications and a Masters degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from Metropolitan State University in St Paul, MN. Zina is a former democratic candidate for Minnesota Senate SD44. She is passionate about human rights, diversity and inclusion. She believes that “we all do better; when we all do better”. During the course of her campaign she had the opportunity to meet Plymouth residents to hear the concerns and hopes for the future of the City of Plymouth where she resides. Zina is a private consultant and small business owner. She is the mother of three, grandmother of four and great grandmother of one.
Jes-wa' Harris
Duluth Programs Manager
Jes-wa' Harris | Duluth Restorative and Youth Services Coordinator
Jes-wa’ is a passionate mentor, coach, and youth service provider with 25 years of experience working with youth in residential treatment facilities, crisis shelters, Intensive Day Treatment programs and school programming. Jes-wa’ coaches high school basketball and middle school track in Duluth Schools. Jes-wa’ is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and lives by the motto: Culture for service and service for humanity.
Janise Johnson
Janise Johnson | Restorative Services Manager
Janise is a native Minnesotan, hailing from South Minneapolis and is now an activist, combatting the same injustices she witnessed growing up near, what is now, George Floyd Square. She owns a small business in the uptown area and works to be impactful in the community she services. Janise is a Minnesota Rule 114 Qualified Neutral and works at CRC facilitating difficult conversations and healing circles. Janise is a wife and mother of two small children living in Edina.
Sarah Lehman
Sarah Lehman | Harassment Court Program Coordinator
Sarah works as a consultant, facilitator, and mediator in the Twin Cities. She is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 and has been mediating in Harassment Court with CRC since 2021. She is a Certified Integral Facilitator® and has a background in non-violent communication. Sarah believes that change and disruption can be transformational if we can stay connected to our own and each other’s inherent worth and dignity.
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy | Finance and Operations Manager
Alex was born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota and owns a small business that provides exercise classes to senior communities throughout the Greater Twin Cities. He has a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing Management from the University of St. Thomas as well as certifications in personal training, boxing, senior fitness, and behavioral change. Giving people the tools to overcome obstacles has been an important objective in Alex’s career and he’s excited to serve CRC along with the community he calls home.
Saida Omar
St. Cloud Program Manager
Saida Omar | St. Cloud Program Manager
Wendy Swisher
Wendy Swisher | Housing Navigation Specialist
Minneapolis is Wendy’s hometown, however, she has lived all over the country. Wendy has volunteered, for more than 10 years with Civil Society, a non-profit organization providing legal services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, etc. Among her many responsibilities at Civil Society, Wendy was an advocate for their clients, securing temporary assistance for housing, childcare, and other necessities. Wendy also serviced on the Civil Society Board of Directors for more than seven years and was elected as the Board Chair in 2020. Wendy is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral.
Lauren Thrift
Lauren Thrift | Mediation Services Manager
Lauren is passionate about a participatory approach to transforming conflict equitably at its roots. Lauren holds an M.A. in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management with a focus on Conflict Transformation. Lauren came to CRC in 2013 as an AmeriCorps member. Lauren has 15 years of experience in non-profits, community mediation, restorative justice, and education. Lauren is also a singer and musician, with a B.A. in Music and a Minor in Sociology, and has served as Board Chair of Conflict Resolution Minnesota.
Francine Tolbert
Program Director
Saida Omar | St. Cloud Program Manager
Francine Tolbert (Fran) is a Business Operations Consultant and a facilitator/trainer with over 15 years of professional and leadership experience. She graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a degree in Journalism. Her previous role was at Target Corporation where she was a Senior Human Resources Pay and Benefits Consultant – Team Member Experience/DE&I. She is the owner of Work in Progress Media LLC, and founder of #WorkInProgess Leadership Development; a platform where she uses her professional and life experiences to advise, facilitate, train, coach, strategize and assist organizations or individuals with their business operations, leadership development, and coaching needs. Outside of work, Fran is a mother to a 16 year old, a podcaster, political enthusiast, a huge fan of documentaries, loves sports (specifically football & basketball), singer, writer, life student, and a self-proclaimed history nerd.
Lydia Wondwosen
Lydia Wondwosen | Housing Navigation Specialist
Lydia is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member. A recent graduate from the University of Minnesota, she holds a B.A. in Political Science and is well-versed in the intricacies of social structures and governance. During her time at the university, she actively contributed to diverse research projects within the realm of political science, focusing on political psychology, agenda-setting, and international affairs. Beyond academia, Lydia was committed to making a positive impact in the university community as a Welcome Week leader and a student choreographer in the Dance Collective. She is driven by a genuine desire to give back to the community and is excited to work with the CRC in an effort to create a brighter and more equitable future.
