Our Team

Emily Gaarder

Dr. Emily Gaarder (she/her/hers) is the Director of the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota Duluth and an Associate Professor in the Department of Studies in Justice, Culture, and Social Change at UMD.

Since 2003, Emily has taught restorative justice at the university level and also for community groups and organizations. She loves to share how restorative justice can be used in daily life by everyone. She has trained hundreds of volunteers in the circle process, circle keeping, and restorative dialogue.

Photo of Emily Gaarder

Mark Umbreit

Dr. Mark Umbreit is a Professor and founding Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University  of Minnesota, School of Social Work. Mark serves on the faculty of the Center for Spirituality & Healing in the Academic  Health Center at the University of Minnesota, teaching courses on Peacebuilding Through Mindfulness Practice, and  Forgiveness & Healing. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee teaching a course on Peacemaking and Spirituality.

photo of founder Mark Umbreit

Ted Lewis

Ted Lewis has been a consultant and trainer with the Center since the summer of 2013. Since 1996 he has done a variety of work in the fields of restorative justice and conflict resolution, including work as a practitioner, program manager, trainer, writer, director, teacher, and consultant. Most of this work has been done through and for nonprofit organizations that have partnered with government agencies. He has also taught the Restorative Justice course as an adjunct professor at UMD Duluth campus.

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Jacob Otis

Jacob Otis is a research and training associate with the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Director of Programming at St. Croix Valley Restorative Services in Wisconsin.  

photo of Jacob Otis

Cary Waubanascum

Cary Waubanascum is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Wakeny^ta (Turtle Clan), with ancestral roots in the Menominee, Forest County Potawatomi, and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Nations of Wisconsin. Her work centers on identifying and challenging ongoing colonialism in social work and child welfare and reclaiming Indigenous lifeways. She is currently an Assistant Professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Cary Waubanascam by flowering tree

Carl Huber

Carl Huber (he/him/his) has been affiliated with CRJP since 2017. He holds a Masters of Professional Studies in Multidisciplinary Research & Creativity from UMD, and has served as a commissioner on the City of Duluth’s Human Rights Commission for over six years. Carl’s work emphasizes the integration of body, mind, and spirit through restorative practices. He is passionate about helping others who have experienced traumatic events discover healing through the power of storytelling.

photo of Carl Huber wearing a white dress shirt

Chris Godsey

Chris Godsey, Ed.D. (in teaching and learning), has been associated with the CRJP since December 2020. He has worked as a restorative justice advocate in the Minnesota Department of Corrections Victim Services and Restorative Justice Unit since January 2022. His primary DOC RJ role is coordinating the system Apology Letter Bank. From July 2019 until December 2021 he coordinated the Men as Peacemakers Domestic Violence Restorative Circles Program in Duluth, MN.

black and white photo of Chris Godsey

Isabel Dokhanchi

Isabel Dokhanchi (she/her/hers) is a Student Activities Advisor at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She recently graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on communicating difference, a minor in Deaf Studies, and a certificate to teach English as a foreign language. 

 

photo of Isabel Dokhanchi

Laura Thro

Laura (she/her/hers) focuses on healing from trauma through restorative and transformational approaches. Laura co-runs a restorative practice program she developed for those residing at correctional facilities. She has an A.S. in Psychology, a B.A. in IS-Psychology of Domestic Violence, a B.A. in Criminology, and a Masters' degree through UMD's Master of Professional Studies program with a focus on violence prevention and community building.

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Jacinda Harris

Jacinda Harris is a senior this year studying Criminology with minors in both Sociology and Communication. She will work as an intern for The Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking during Spring Semester. Her keen interest is in integrating restorative justice practices for children and families. While in school at UMD she is grateful for the the many new and varied experiences that have brought joy to her life. Jacinda loves being outdoors, crafting, and being part of her campus communities.
 

photo of Jacinda Harris