MEET OUR STAFF

Pronouns: she/her Cassandra Lively, Ph.D. has been on staff at CCR since 2005 in a variety of roles, and now leads the organization’s staff of 26 and dedicated group of more than 180 volunteers in providing the highest quality mediation services and training to the Chicagoland area. During her time at CCR, Cassie has mediated over 350 cases and assisted in the training of more than 250 new mediators. Cassie serves as a Co-Chair for the Association for Conflict Resolution’s Community Mediation and Restorative Practices Section, and as Board Treasurer for National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). She earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago in 2010 with a focus in work, family and gender. [email protected] 312-922-6464 x229

Pronouns: she/her Whitney Trumble has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, with a specific focus on international relations, women’s human rights and conflict resolution. After completing her Master’s program from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Whitney returned to her home state of Illinois to work in alternative dispute resolution, first with Resolution Systems Institute and then with CCR in 2010. Before assuming her current position, Whitney worked with the Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program and then as Finance & Operations Director.

Pronouns: she/her Nayla Lee joined the CCR team in 2024 as an Early Resolution Program - Programs Manager. In 2022, she earned her MS in Conflict and Dispute Resolution at the University of Oregon. In addition to alternative dispute resolution, her academic and work experience focused on family conflict, human sexuality and consent education, and business leadership. Prior to beginning with CCR she also served as a tour manager, summer camp director, and theme & water park phone operator.

Dezarae brings a wealth of experience in community mediation, nonprofit work, and volunteering to the ERP team. Her commitment to mediation has been instrumental in both her personal and professional life. She believes that “all people are the experts in their own lives” and that conflict resolution frameworks provide invaluable tools of empowerment. Currently pursuing a B.A. in Law, Policy, and Political Science from Wilmington University, Dezarae is dedicated to expanding her understanding of the legal and political systems that shape our world. Outside of their professional commitments, Dezarae enjoys reading nonfiction, which fuels her passion for continuous learning and personal growth. She can be found walking and cycling her local trail along the historic Chesapeake and Delaware Canal with her trusty chihuahua at her side. She finds inspiration and clarity in continual self-improvement. Additionally, Dezarae is a strong advocate for the virtues of mediation, believing in its power to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding.

Pronouns: she/her Kate Finch, J.D. began her work at CCR with the support of the Public Interest Law Initiative. She is a certified mediator with a longstanding interest in community engagement and alternative dispute resolution. Kate earned her B.F.A. from Drake University and her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she gained experience facilitating community circles. Prior to joining CCR, she worked in healthcare, hospitality, and the arts.

Pronouns: they/them, she/her Mairone Alemu, M.B.A., joined CCR in 2024 as the Finance and Operations Manager, bringing with them experience and expertise in financial management and operational efficiency. Prior to joining CCR, Mairone supported a Chicago public charter school, where they played a pivotal role in overseeing the school's accounting, human resources, and day-to-day operations. Mairone consistently strives to empower teams and organizations in achieving their mission of fostering positive societal change and improving the human condition. Their commitment extends beyond professional obligations, as they are genuinely devoted to cultivating environments of continuous growth and learning, both for themselves and for those around them. With a keen interest in the transformative power of education and lifelong learning, Mairone believes empowerment through knowledge is the cornerstone of societal progress. They firmly believe in the importance of not only educating individuals but also in fostering a culture of re-education, where beliefs and practices are continuously reevaluated and evolved.

Pronouns: she/her Abby Johnston joined CCR in January 2022 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. She first developed an interest in conflict resolution as the Policy and Communications Associate for a Chicago-based park advocacy organization where she was exposed to many differing points of views about park and city policy. Prior to that, Abby managed a district office for an Illinois State Representative. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University.

Pronouns: she/her/ella Victoria Soto, MSW, better known as Vic, joins the CCR team as a Bilingual Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. Vic earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also a Badger Alumna of the Class of 2022, in which she earned her Master of Social Work degree, with a focus in Policy and Administration. Upon her return to the Chicagoland area, Vic worked as a Legal Advocate, supporting survivors of domestic violence in understanding their rights and resources. Vic is passionate about supporting the well-being of underrepresented and under resourced community members by working with them to access needed opportunities and resources.

Dominique joined CCR in 2022 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. Prior to joining CCR, they worked at 9to5, National Association of Working Women, an economic justice organization where they focused on developing their climate justice campaign. Dominique has a background in design having graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2016. Additionally, they are a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor whose interest in conflict resolution is born from a deep commitment to love, justice, and liberation.

Pronouns: he/him Israel graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master's in Dispute Resolution and previously from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Communications. In his working life, he's been employed in construction, farming, outdoor retail, small business development, the non-profit sector, and state government. Israel entered the Mediation Mentorship Program at CCR in 2013 and volunteered for about a year before eventually landing a staff position. Spending seven years as a Program Manager, he was fortunate to mediate or supervise volunteer mediators in thousands of cases across highly diverse areas of conflict. Israel spent nearly two years working with the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts in the Access to Justice Division, managing the creation and maintenance of court forms for pro se litigants, before returning to CCR as the Director of Volunteers. [email protected]

Nicky is thrilled to be a part of the CCR team! She came to CCR through the MMP and was a devoted volunteer mediator for 2 years before joining the Mediation Services team as a Programs Manager. Her love of mediation began with her love of improv and stepping into the unknown. Nicky is an alum of the Second City Theater where she performed all over the country and beyond and co-wrote and performed in three original revues right here in Chicago on the resident Etc stage. When she is not working or mediating, she is likely lost in the depths of Wordle, Spelling Bee or Connections.

Tishonda Washington-Gibbs, M.A., joined CCR in 2023 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. Prior to joining CCR Tishonda worked at Resolution Systems Institute in Foreclosure Mediation. Tishonda has a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lewis University.

Jess Mondres (she/her) is the Training Assistant at CCR. Before joining CCR she spent 15+ years working in Chicago’s theater industry. Highlights of her time in theater include roles as the Outreach Director at Erasing the Distance; the Operations and Education Director at The Neo-Futurists; and the co-founder of Portmanteau, an experimental performance project best known for the critically acclaimed ‘Mariposa Nocturna: A Puppet Triptych’, which premiered at The Chicago Cultural Center and toured for 3 years. She is thrilled to join the staff at CCR.

Pronouns: she/her Kennedy Bradley joined CCR in 2024 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her MSW from the University of Chicago. She spent her early career in direct service work as both a therapist and case worker before transitioning to advocacy, where she mobilized advocates for legislative change in the public health and agriculture sectors. Kennedy sees conflict resolution as a vital component of community health and is excited to bring her expertise in intersectional community work to CCR's programs.

Jessica began her work at CCR late in 2020 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program, then transitioned to the Mediation Services team in the summer of 2022. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University and her Master’s in Conflict and Mediation from Roosevelt University. She has earned her safeTALK and Family Life Educator Certifications. Prior to joining CCR, Jessica held a variety of leadership and mentee roles, as well as worked on engagement, programming, and fundraising with various nonprofit organizations.

Pronouns: they/he Ethan Senser joined CCR at the start of 2022 as a Programs Manager for the Early Resolution Program. Their experience in conflict resolution stems from their time as a climate justice organizer in Los Angeles, where they facilitated grassroots strategy meetings, community trainings, political canvassing and direct action interventions. They believe that navigating conflict can help foster a foundation of agency, care and accountability that aids in the growth of deep community relationships and power. Ethan received their Masters in Conflict and Mediation from Roosevelt University in 2023.

Pronouns: she/her Jenna Silver (she/her) is the Training Director at CCR and manages numerous training programs, including CCR's 40-Hour Mediation Skills Training. She began her work with CCR while in law school, first as a case manager and Public Interest Law Initiative intern and later as a volunteer mediator, trainer, and facilitator. Jenna is currently adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and formerly with Roosevelt University's Master's in Conflict and Mediation program. She began her career in education as a middle school English teacher. Prior to joining the CCR staff full-time, Jenna served as an administrator and conflict resolution professional at Loyola University Chicago, where she was instrumental in putting mediation and restorative justice principles into practice. She earned her B.A. from Brown University, M.Ed. from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Jenna enjoys designing and delivering training that equips participants with transferrable, often transformative skills to work with conflict.

Pronouns: she/her Elizabeth Boeringa joined CCR in 2021 as a Programs Manager in the Early Resolution Program, and shortly after gained her mediation certification. Before joining CCR, Lizzie was a Law Clerk at Kathleen T. Zellner and Associates, a Chicagoland law firm specializing in post-conviction and civil rights litigation. She has a background working for, or volunteering with, non-profits in a variety of sectors including refugee resettlement and human trafficking prevention. In 2019, she earned her B.A. in Political Science with a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies from Wheaton College, where her interest in restorative justice practices, and the field of alternative dispute resolution in particular, began.

Pronouns: she/her Olga Ivari, JD, joined CCR's staff in 2023. Prior to her work at CCR, Olga worked at Resolution Systems Institute as Program Coordinator, working with Lake County on a Foreclosure Mediation Program and in Winnebago and Kankakee Counties on an Eviction Mediation Program. She earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her JD from Marquette Law School where she was closely involved with the Client Skills Board and the Small Claims Mediation Programs.

Pronouns: they/any Jim Alrutz, J.D., joined CCR’s staff in 2021 after previously serving as a volunteer mediator. They earned their B.A. from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and their J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where they were an award-winning member of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR) mediation competition team. Jim is adjunct faculty for Loyola’s Professional Identity Formation course, teaching first year law students about intersectional identity and implicit bias in the legal profession, and serves on the Board of Directors for Kerfuffle Theatre for the Very Young.

With over 15 years of experience serving in a variety of non-profit positions, Laura comes to CCR as a Programs Manager and Certified Mediator in the new Early Resolution Program. Prior to coming to CCR, Laura worked in development, corporate relations, marketing and events at Clearbrook. She also held organizational and leadership development positions at Baxter and Ameritech. Laura holds a B.S. in psychology and M.S in organizational development both from Loyola University Chicago.

Pronouns: she/her Caroline joined CCR in 2025 as a Program Manager for the Early Resolution Program. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University and her Master in Social Work from the University of Michigan where she was also a part of the Jewish Communal Leadership Program. Prior to working at CCR, Caroline was a clinical therapist working with OCD and related disorders. She draws from her social work background and her experience in a variety of organizational settings to inform the work being done at CCR. Caroline believes that conflict resolution is a powerful and useful tool to increase communication and understanding between people, and she is excited to continue learning and assisting the community through her role at CCR. Outside of work, Caroline can be found cooking new recipes, swimming (in the lake when it's not too cold!), and crafting whenever possible.

Larni joined CCR in November 2024 as a Training Specialist. She brings over a decade of international experience in training, management, education, and admin support to CCR. Prior to CCR, Larni worked as an onboarding and customer service trainer, where she discovered her passion for teaching and facilitating growth in others. She has coached and mentored youth in various professional settings, where she focuses on providing a fun, safe, and encouraging space for youth to learn. Beyond her work life, she has volunteered her skills in administrative, educational, and technical support to various non-profit organizations. After graduating with her B.A in International & Cultural Relations and a B.S. in Global Marketing, she spent several years living in the countryside of Western Australia working on sustainable farms and managing an eco-forward brewery. Larni is excited to get involved in CCR’s mission-driven, community-focused, and youth-centered programs.

Yehemy Zavala Orozco (they/them/elle-español) joined CCR as a Bilingual Programs Manager in 2023. Originally from Mexico City, Yehemy emigrated to the United States 12 years ago. For the first 11 years, they lived in Utah and focused their work on reducing ethnic and immigrant health disparities related to nutrition, food access, mental health, reproductive justice, access to clinical care, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women empowerment, and access to comprehensive and equal housing for all. They studied Visual Arts at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). They also have an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Salt Lake Community College. In 2021, they were awarded by the National Association of Community Health Workers with their Equity and Justice Visionary Award for working as first respondent during the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring all Community Health Workers working directly with underserved communities were vaccinated regardless of their immigration status. They love to ride bikes, hike and listen to music. They moved to Chicago to connect with the lake and continue their gender transition.

Lea Ramos has been on staff at CCR since 2013 and now leads the organization’s Mediation Services team. Lea is a certified mediator and trainer who has mediated over 300 cases during her time at CCR. She has been an instructor for the Institute for Workforce Education (IWE), teaching courses related to conflict management and communication skills. Prior to joining CCR, Leandra worked as a parent liaison for the Illinois Migrant Education Program, providing services and assistance to migrant workers in the Central Illinois area. Lea received her MA in Latin American Studies and Nonprofit from the Complutense University of Madrid (’12) and her B.A. in Political Science from U of I (’10).

Pronouns: she/her Katey Baker-Smith is the Administrative Assistant at CCR. She earned her M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights and B.A. in Spanish and Political Science. She previously worked as the Operations Manager at a non-profit mental health center, at a gourmet popsicle shop, and has worked at various non-profit organizations, most often as a researcher and writer. Her work includes detailed reports on peasant farming and land grabbing in Romania that have been utilized by international groups including the UN FAO, and producing research and reports on the Middle East and North Africa that have been published in books, textbooks, and articles.