Our Team
As a small organization, each staff member works within several programs and is cross-trained to provide program support where needed. We also employ interns when opportunities exist for program enhancement. (Interested in Interning? Contact us!)
Jessica Schmidt
Executive Director
jessie@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7106
Prior to her work in restorative justice, Jessie worked in environmental sustainability. Since moving to Vermont in 1998, Jessie has worked on farms, been an avid homesteader, and now finds joy in gardening, hiking, and observing the natural world. It was through this work that she came to understand that the many issues facing humanity could only be addressed through social justice; supporting restorative justice practices in Orange County is her small piece of this work.
Kym Anderson
Director of Reentry & Community Justice Programs
kym@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7104
Kym’s restorative justice work started 30 years ago in King County, Washington. She has held many titles: advocate, coordinator, trainer, investigator, facilitator, and director. Most people also call her a dreamer – and you will too – after you talk to her about her vision for her programs. Come meet her dog, Calvin, in our office.
Kiara Senecal
Pre-Conviction Team Lead & Transitional Housing Coordinator
Pretrial Services, Tamarack
kiara@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7798
From an early age, Kiara knew that she wanted to work toward helping make the legal system more effective for all persons involved, so naturally the focus of her college career was justice studies. Kiara believes that recidivism rates are impacted significantly when an individual has support from and connection to their community, which is what brought her to work at OCRJC. Kiara is also a Vermont native, which means that you will find her outside in all types of weather.
Jason Garry
Coordinator for Restorative Justice Programs
Adult Diversion, DLS, Reentry Panels
jason@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7105
Since earning his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice (1999-2002), Jason has practiced Restorative Justice in many situations and settings where people have been harmed. He believes in a balance of justice that engages victims and offenders in creating equal experiences of resolution, rather than equal amounts of loss. Jason has applied the principles of Restorative Justice throughout his social service career and recognizes community-building as the key to creating peace in our lives.
Lisa Lee
Victim Services & Community Outreach Coordinator
Lisa@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7107
Lisa comes to this work with 15 years of community engagement experience – as a community organizer, educator and human services worker. Her interest and critiques of the traditional US justice system began long ago, and she’s delighted to be part of the very special restorative justice community of Vermont. Prior to joining the team, she was an educator growing food and flowers in prison yards alongside incarcerated students in Boston area prisons. She’s excited to explore the ways in which restorative justice principles can be applied to situations of all scales. When not working, you’ll find her in wild spaces, gardening or playing mad scientist in the kitchen.
Jordan Souder
Youth & Community Restorative Justice Coordinator
Jordan@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7578
Jordan is the new Youth & Community Restorative Justice Program Coordinator. He is responsible for handling all youth diversion cases and coordinating community outreach initiatives.
He graduated from Vermont Law & Graduate school, concentrating in restorative justice, then served as a school-based restorative practices facilitator. In his down time, you can find him cuddling his two cats.
Ellen Trottier, MBA
Finance & Operations Manager
Ellen@ocrjvt.org | 802-685-3172
Ellen has over 25 years’ experience in Finance and HR. She brings a variety of experience from small local businesses and understands the importance of community-based organizations.
As a native Vermonter, Ellen is committed to supporting restorative justice in her local communities. In the summer you can find her on her motorcycle and in the winter on her snowmobile.
Kyle Glover
Balanced & Restorative Justice (BARJ) Case Coordinator
Kyle@ocrjvt.org | 802-636-7102
Kyle is the new Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) coordinator and BARJ case coordinator. He is responsible for conducting risk/needs assessments for youth and managing BARJ referrals.
Kyle is from Savannah, GA, where he worked in the District Attorney’s Office. He has worked on all types of youth and adult criminal offenses for diversion, legal and philosophical research, and data advancement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He is currently a candidate for a Master of Arts in Restorative Justice at Vermont Law and Graduate School. In his free time, he loves to travel to different cities, states, countries and continents for authentic food, fun and scenic views.
Board of Trustees
The OCRJC Board of Trustees guides our organization as we work to bring restorative justice services to all of Orange County, Vermont.
Present Board of Trustees Members:
President Jennifer Cummings, Williamstown
Vice-President Loretta Stalnaker, East Randolph
Treasurer James Bastien, Brookfield
Secretary Heather Waterbury, Strafford
Member Ellie Lane, Braintree
Office Greeters
Depending on what day of the week you stop by, one of our pets will be here to greet you!
Delilah
Calvin
Cleo
Paul