Our People

Dr. Brenda Morrison, Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University

Brenda is passionate about rights, responsibility and reconciliation, through enacting processes that bring justice home to our diverse communities.

Tania Arvanitidis, PhD candidate, Simon Fraser University

Tania studies relational dynamics and program evaluation within restorative justice. They like stats, cats, and knitting hats.

Dr. Alana Abramson: Faculty, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Dr. Alana Abramson is a passionate educator, dedicated to enhancing student experiences in the classroom.

Muhammad Asadullah ("Asad"): Assistant Professor, University of Regina.

Asadullah is currently exploring the concepts of decolonization and restorative justice. Teaching Restorative Justice in university settings feeds his soul and stomach.

Joanna Ashworth: Director of Professional Programs and Partnerships, Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University

My learning design work is founded on the practice of collaboration and co-creation in programs and partnerships that address the climate crisis, natural solutions to energy and water management in urban centres and foster circular economy practices. Inclusion, social justice and participatory governance are guiding principles of my learning design work.

Theresa Burley: Project Manager, CRC and Equity in Research Lead

As the Canada Research Chair (CRC) and Equity in Research Lead with SFU’s Institutional Strategic Awards team, Theresa works hard to remove barriers to achieving equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the University’s research portfolio. She builds and standardizes processes to increase diversity among research chairholders; evaluates and spearheads EDI initiatives at SFU; and helps researchers integrate EDI principles into grant proposals.

Dr. Bettina B. Cenerelli: Director, Strategic Academic Planning and Student Affairs, Dean's Office, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, SFU

Dave Farthing: Co-founder and CEO, Veriloquent, Inc.

Dave is passionate about social impact and restorative change in people, institutions and communities.

Dave Gustafson: Executive Director of Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association (FRCJIA)

Rev. Dr. Dave Gustafson is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology at SFU, a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a member of the Leuven, Belgium Institute for Criminological research.

Kim Hudson: Author, Speaker, Facilitator

Author of the upcoming book THINKING: The Power of a Linear AND Circular Framework, Kim works in the area of leadership, systems design, conflict resolution and inclusion.

Precious Ile: Student Development Educator, Simon Fraser University

Precious’ expertise lies in community development, youth engagement, and project management for social impact.

Dr. Helene Love: S.J.D., Limited Term Lecturer at Simon Fraser University

Dr. Helene Love's teaching and research focus is on criminal law, evidence, and ageism in the justice system. Helene is also the Field Practice Coordinator for SFU’s School of Criminology.

Jessica Lowe: Executive Director of the BC Bereavement Helpline

Jessica manages the provincial BC Bereavement Helpline for anyone coping with grief and loss. BCBH focuses on helping those who have experienced a traumatic loss due to suicide, homicide, substance use or other sudden deaths.

Laura Mack: EMBA, Facilitator Leadership Development

Laura has volunteered with the North Shore Restorative Justice Society for several years, most recently serving on the Board as co-chair.  She has also facilitated restorative justice files.  Professionally, Laura is an executive coach and facilitates leadership development in the corporate sector as well as within healthcare, municipal and federal government.  She also trains coaches internationally.  She recently earned her Executive MBA at Simon Fraser University. Laura’s mission is to co-create opportunities for inspiration and transformation.  

Jane Miller Ashton

After a lengthy career in social justice reform Jane remains active in offering restorative approaches and supporting reconciliation work in the various settings of everyday community life. She was involved in the development of the Centre for Restorative Justice in its beginnings at SFU, and is honoured now to be connected with others on its next chapter. Jane draws inspiration and hope from her partner Fraser, her family and friends, from chances to collaborate with others and from Indigenous traditions and teachers -  including her dear Godson.

Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt: International Speaker, Trainer and Registered Psychologist (Trauma Therapy)

Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt is a Registered Clinical Psychologist who has worked at BC Children’s Hospital, Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, and the Simon Fraser University Clinic in Vancouver, Canada, plus in her own 25 years private practice.

Angie Osachoff: Regional Program Coordinator for Equitas, the International Centre for Human Rights Education

Christianne Paras: Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives’ Training and Education Coordinator

Lyana Patrick: Assistant Professor of Indigenous Health, Faculty of Health Sciences

Lyana is Dakelh from the Stellat’en First Nation and Acadian/Scottish. She has worked with Indigenous communities and organizations for over 25 years through collaborative, culturally grounded approaches to research and engagement. She has carefully developed partnerships that benefit diverse communities in the areas of research, education, evaluation and community service.

Lindy Pfeil: MSc

Lindy collects rocks, walks barefoot whenever she can and reminds herself to listen very carefully...because it's the untold stories that most need to be heard.

Larissa Rutquist: Senior Analyst, National Policy - Indigenous Justice Program

Larissa is the senior advisor of national policy with the Indigenous Justice Program where she supports the Government of Canada’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Inquiry Calls for Justice, and various restorative justice initiatives across the country.

Katarina Thorsen: Creative engagement facilitator

As a creative engagement facilitator, Katarina Thorsen uses restorative art-based practices to create safe a space in which inquiry can flourish and connections can deepen.

Dorothy Vaandering: Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Memorial University of NL

After an extensive career as a Primary-Elementary educator, Dr. Dorothy Vaandering now researches the implementation and sustainability of restorative justice in education. She passionately works to connect theory and practice in her current role as researcher and teacher-educator. She is the director of Relationships First: Restorative Justice Consortium NL. 

Janet Webber: Executive Director, SFU Public Square

The north star that guides Janet’s work is her belief in the fundamental importance of bringing people into spaces and conversations with each other on the issues that shape our individual and collective lives.

Laura Wright: Director Participatory Methodologies International Institute Institute for Child Rights and Development; PhD Researcher and Course Organizer, University of Edinburgh