Nikki Beasley
Executive Director
Nikki Beasley | Executive Director
She brings extensive expertise in housing and employment programs, program contract and licensing compliance, organizational management, and culturally informed program development. Nikki is highly skilled in non-profit and community facilitation, focusing on racial justice, gender equity, and cultural understanding. She excels in training staff on best practice approaches and their application within programs.
Nikki’s commitment to community engagement is evident through her work in building strong external partnerships. She collaborates with local organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to create comprehensive support networks.
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.
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy | Finance and Operations Director
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.
Marlon Pratt
Housing Navigator
Marlon Pratt | Housing Navigator
Marlon Pratt attended Southwestern Iowa Community College and Northwestern St. where he studied business Management. While in school Marlon participated in the men’s Basketball program. Marlon later worked as an Academic Interventionist providing one on one interventions to at risk children. He later participated in continuing education and obtained Life Coaching certification. In Marlon’s spare time he enjoys fishing, playing and watching sports and refurbishing houses.
Elicia Simmons
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Elicia Simmons | AmeriCorps Volunteer
Hi my name is Elicia and I’m the new AmeriCorps volunteer here at CRC. I’m with the housing team and I am a Housing Resource Navigator my role has many functions which include gathering resources for participants and tabling events for AmeriCorps and CRC. I do this work because I have been unhoused, I see first-hand how housing is needed and when accessed how successful it is for the participant to have that need met. I do this because we all are needed to make a change. When I can I enjoy reading, walking the trails and cooking.
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
Francine Tolbert | Program Director
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.
