VIRTUAL EVENT: An Introduction to Community Justice

Dan Johnson is the founder of 4 nonprofit organizations, and Executive Director of the Institute for Community Solutions. In his decade-long career in social change, he has led thousands of volunteers, advocated for or against legislation in over 40 states, and raised millions of dollars to empower average Americans to make a difference. Dan is also a writer and nationally renowned speaker and has appeared on CNN, FOX Business, RT America, and more. He is dedicated to helping changemakers, policymakers, and the public, find community solutions to their community’s challenges.

Aiden joined Longmont Community Justice Partnership in 2022 and became the Associate Director of Programs and Training in 2023. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Aiden has lived in Austin, TX and Tucson, AZ before settling in Denver in 2018. Aiden attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate program and graduated University of Denver’s MSW program with a focus on organizational leadership and policy practice in 2022. Aiden worked in behavioral health for the first 5 years of his career, utilizing and training staff on how to use a combination of restorative justice practices and dialectical behavioral therapy to support youth with mental health conditions. Aiden has a passion for using restorative approaches to build sustainable and healing-centered systems of care for our communities in Colorado.

Chris is an attorney, State-certified mediation trainer, mediator, circle keeper, and conflict coach.  She oversees the growth and development of New York Peace Institute’s certified mediators from the start of their training through their time as mediators on NYPI’s roster of neutrals.  Chris leads the Basic Mediation Training and manages the Apprenticeship Program, which is an education program for aspiring conflict resolution professionals.  Additionally, Chris leads NYPD mediation and de-escalation trainings and the Advanced Mediation Training.

Elizabeth K. Drake is the Associate Director of the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County. Beth oversees the operations of DRC programming, staffing and systems, financial accountability, strategic direction, and grant writing. Contributing to Washington State’s progress as a national and international leader in evidence-based policy, Dr. Drake has conducted more than two decades of public policy research examining the effectiveness of programs in the criminal justice system and beyond. Elizabeth’s strengths as a social scientist, mediator, educator, writer, and leader help her to successfully plan, design, and implement programs that improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

Xiani holds a BA degree in Social Sciences from WSU with a major in Criminal Justice & Psychology. She is on track to obtain her Master’s in Organizational Leadership at EWU. Her training includes Sexual and Domestic Violence crisis intervention & prevention, EMT, CDCR Prison Victim-Offender Dialogue facilitator, DRPA mediation certification, and Re-entry program facilitator. She has 8 years of experience in the legal field; working with law enforcement, justice involved youth, adults and people who are incarcerated. Xiani has also provided training on Restorative Justice to District Attorneys, Public Defenders, Probation Officers, and other criminal justice stakeholders. Xiani has helped other counties in the state of California, such as the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office launch Restorative Justice programs.

Diana Garcia is the program manager currently of Council on Alchohol and Drug Abuse’s Youth Diversion Programs in Santa Barbara. Garcia holds a BA in Chicano Studies and a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a concentration in Applied Psychology. Growing in East Los Angeles, Garcia has always felt a deep connection to communities of color. This passion led her into seeking a career in where she could empower and inspire youth to take control of their futures, especially youth in the juvenile justice system needing guidance.

Before joining CADA, Garcia has worked roles in other community-based organizations serving youth. Her training and education are Trauma Informed and includes Restorative Justice theories, Youth Mental Health, among others.