Laurie Whipple, Co-Executive Director

Laurie earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota in Women’s Studies and Sociology. She brings 25 years of experience in project coordination and design and has been a certified Feng Shui practitioner for over a decade. Laurie is a trained mediator and is a passionate believer in the positive effects of resolving disputes through mediation.

Erica Backstrom , Duluth Program Director

Erica holds a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law and is a qualified neutral under Rule 114. Previously, Erica served as Executive Director of the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP), a non-profit organization that works with volunteer attorneys to provide quality pro bono civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in Northeastern Minnesota. Bringing over ten years of experience working with victims of trauma, abuse and at-risk youth, Erica is passionate about conflict resolution’s ability to empower participants through a process that honors each individual’s voice and recognizes the value of seeing other perspectives respectfully. Erica is an experienced Restorative Services practitioner, participating in circles to address youth truancy, community building and Restorative Justice with Woodland Hills, Inc. and Men as Peacemakers.

Kadi Braxton, Program Manager

Kadi holds a BA in Political Science and is currently working toward a JD. She has trained and worked in conflict management and community strengthening since 2009. She completed her rule 114 qualified neutral training and has been working in community mediation since 2019. Kadi believes transformation is possible through building and strengthening our communities.

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 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.

Sophie Freedman, Program Assistant

Sophie has a B.A. in Religious Studies and  minors in American Studies and Studio Art from Macalester College. She has worked for multiple non-profits such as Northwest Side Housing Center and Jewish Community Action on housing justice-related projects, such as doing background research to support development of community land trusts as well as organizing and hosting a panel discussion to inform college students about their rights as renters. Housing justice work is very important to Sophie as is conflict resolution that does not involve state punishment. When she is not working she likes to paint, listen to music, and take dance lessons.

Jes-wa’ Harris, Duluth Youth Programs 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, Restorative Services Practitioner

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.

Saida Omar, St. Cloud Program Manager

Saida comes from a very unique collective society. She grew up with a tremendous family, speaking more than three languages. Saida earned a bachelor degree in Applied Sociology from St. Cloud State University. Saida has worked with St. Cloud Oromo Community Organization. While there, she taught immigrants how to settle in Minnesota. She also taught a citizenship class that supports immigrants’ journeys in becoming U.S. citizens. When she was in college, she was involved in the Muslim Students’ Organization, Oromo Students Organization, and Somali Students Organization. Saida is a trained civil mediator (30-hour Rule 114 training with CRC 2016), and at CRC has experience working with students in St. Cloud schools as a mediator, conflict coach, and circle keeper, including high risk students at the alternative school. Saida was site coordinator/ coach at The Sanneh Foundation working with a cohort list of 30 students.

Kim Porter, Housing Navigation Specialist

Kim Porter worked as a school teacher for over 20 years before retiring to take care of aging parents. She also worked as a property manager for several properties. She began working for CRC’s rent help navigation program and became instrumental in establishing our housing court navigation program. Kim is passionate about helping underserved communities receive the support and human dignity that they deserve.

Sharon Sund, Programs Director

Sharon Roberson Sund is a mediator, facilitator, conflict coach, circle holder, restorative justice facilitator, educator, and caring economy advocate. She is nationally recognized as a leading community organizer for her work in helping bring affordable health care to many and is also a legislative liaison, advocating for building a multiracial democracy and a caring economy. She draws from her personal experience growing up in Germany and from there moving to Biloxi, Mississippi where she became the first Black student to integrate an all-white school. She then moved to the all-Black inner city of Memphis where she recalls the beauty and the caring of Black people and Black culture that now motivates her to see beauty in all cultures. Sharon was the first Black woman to graduate from Macalester College with degrees in chemistry and biology.

Wendy Swisher, Housing 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 responsibilities at Civil Society, Wendy was an advocate for clients, securing temporary assistance for housing, child care, and other necessities. She also served 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, 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.

Amber Younan, Mediation Intake Specialist 

Amber’s career weaves together peacebuilding and community development.  She has worked internationally and locally in development, refugee resettlement, study abroad, housing and youth services.  Most recently she has become a Rule 114 qualified neutral and is working on her Conflict Management Certificate from the University of Waterloo.  Amber is inspired by the ways that conflict can be an invitation for growth, healing, and transformation at a personal, interpersonal, and societal level.