Raquel McCommon
Raquel is CCR’s Executive Director and brings to the organization many years of experience working with youth and young adults in higher and secondary education. She is an experienced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainer, with an additional focus on identity development. Raquel received a B. A. in Rehabilitation Service Education with a minor in Leadership from Emporia State University and an M. A. in Higher Education Student Affairs from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She grew up in Kansas City in a multi-ethnic household speaking Spanish and English and is a proud Kansas City Puerto Rican. Additionally she serves as Secretary for the Greater Kansas City Puerto Rican Society. She is excited to use her knowledge and expertise to support all aspects of the CCR mission and vision.
Deborah Bayless
Debbie is the Community Cohort Manager and has been a mediator with CCR since 2004. Debbie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Human Services, with minors in German Language and Psychology. Currently she works primarily with neighborhoods and several Restorative Justice court diversion programs. She completed her Master’s Degree in Restorative Justice at Eastern Mennonite University in May 2018, which has expanded her skills and understanding as she helps people in families, neighborhoods and in the workplace work toward peaceful solutions to conflict. One of Debbie’s goals in the processes she facilitates is to help people uphold dignity for themselves and others to transform communication between differing opinions and perspectives.
Ruth Boettner
Ruth first began working in after-school programs as a college student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French and international studies. After college, she taught English to primary school students in France, and later worked in community-serving roles in Illinois, Nebraska, and Washington state. Raised in Maryville, Missouri, Ruth returned to the Midwest in 2021 after four years of living in Seattle, where she most recently supervised a tutoring program for students living in low-income housing. Ruth also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and has interspersed this experience with her youth development work, teaching both youth and adults. She first learned about restorative justice at a work training in Seattle, and was overjoyed to have a name for beliefs she already held. She is thrilled to be doing restorative justice work full-time now, and is excited to grow her practice in Kansas City alongside the CCR school team.
Sandra Champion jones
Sandra joined the CCR team in May, 2024 after 30 years of service with the Federal Government. As President of the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 66, senior program manager at the Department of Treasury, IRS, Co-chair of the Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, among other appointments, Sandra honed her communication, mediation and leadership skills in many challenging environments. With a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, she brings a transformative, people-focused vision to CCR. Sandra served as a Board member with the Neighborhood Accountability Board program before joining the staff, is a new Aldermen for the City of Grandview, MO, and founded a Woman-owned leadership and workforce development consultant organization. Sandra is well-equipped and excited to contribute to developing the community’s skills for conflict resolution.
Andrea Duloc
Andrea is a Mediator and Restorative Justice Specialist at CCR and has practiced and taught mediation and restorative practices since 2015. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, with a certificate in leadership studies, from Washburn University, and her Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law. Andrea spent time in her early career working for the Chicago Transit Authority and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She has trained in Mediation, Circle Processes, Non-Violent Communication and Restorative Justice work. She also has taught online and in-person classes in Mediation and Restorative Justice as an adjunct professor at Missouri Western State University. Andrea is working with CCR to mediate conflicts in the community and support and develop programs to meet the needs of survivors and communities who have been harmed. She co-facilitates the Intro to Circle Facilitation class and well as the Mediation training. Andrea is also a Community Partner with TCKC, co-guiding an evening Mindfulness & Tibetan Yoga class
mo hannon
Mo works at the Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC) as a Conflict Resolution Facilitator. A native of a small town in upstate New York, she moved to Kansas City after leaving a 20 year career in direct sales. After learning more about CCR’s mission, she realized this would be an opportunity to align ‘head, hands, and heart’ in meaningful work. Mo is delighted to bring her experiences, passion, and motivational skills together with restorative practices. She believes restorative conversations have a rippling effect that can empower us all.
Erik hulse
Erik has been a member of the justice cohort at CCR since 2023 and works part time at the Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC) as a Restorative Justice Coordinator. He also co-facilitates mindfulness and yoga classes at TCKC. Erik is a retired police officer and teaches mindfulness to the general public and the first responder community. He is a graduate of the Buddhist chaplaincy training program at the Upaya Zen Center and works part time as a home hospice chaplain. He also volunteers as a chaplain for the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City and the Overland Park Police Department.
Annette Lantz-Simmons
Annette is the Executive Director Emeritus of CCR, having served the organization in that capacity for 12 years, and with the organization since 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fresno Pacific University and a Master’s Degree in Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). Annette was named Alumni Peacebuilder of the Year for 2018 and became a certified trainer for the STAR program (Strategies in Trauma Awareness and Resilience) through the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU. Annette currently works part-time for CCR as a trainer and Conflict Transformation Content Specialist. Many organizations and individuals in the KC area have benefited from the transformative and restorative lens that Annette brings to her CCR workshops with organizations and in the community.
Nathan Lantz-Simmons
In 2015, Nathan participated in CCR’s Mediator Certification training. However, it wasn't until January 2022 that he formally joined the CCR team, initially managing technology for training sessions. By May 2022, Nathan transitioned into his current role on the schools team, where he is making a significant impact as a Restorative Practice Specialist. In this capacity, Nathan leads conflict resolution workshops for middle and high school students, using his strong communication skills and deep understanding of restorative practices.
mindy manes
Mindy works at the Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC) as the Justice Program Coordinator. Her past experience includes roles with the Kansas Department of Correction’s Office of Victim Services and at the Kansas City, Kansas school district’s alternative high school. Previously she worked with some of the world’s most innovative organizations in her role as Chief Operating Officer of the Edison Awards and was also the Innovation Strategist at one of the top ten U.S. community colleges. In addition to serving as a Civil Service Commissioner for the Overland Park Kansas Police Department, she volunteers as a Kansas Supreme Court-approved mediator and has enjoyed mentoring young women as a Girl Scout leader for over 20 years.
Greg Maupins
Greg was born and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science and received an Associates of Arts degree from York University in Nebraska. Greg served in the Air Force for four years which included a stint stateside during the first Gulf War, and then had a long and fruitful career with CellularOne/Verizon. In 2023 when he participated in Core Mediation training at CCR, he knew that this was the career change he was looking for. Since joining our staff in December, 2023, the contribution he brings to the CCR team has already been apparent. At ease with both youth and adults, Greg is excited for the opportunity to share the restorative justice approach as a peaceful, healing alternative for resolving conflict.
Caroline quinn
Caroline is CCR's Education Program Coordinator and a Restorative Justice Facilitator. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminology and Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Caroline began her journey in Restorative Justice at the Transition Center of Kansas City, where she specialized in Restorative Reentry Circles, designed to bring together individuals impacted by the criminal-legal system and their families, so they can heal and create a support plan during the reentry process. She currently facilitates restorative practices in local schools, engaging with students and staff to transform conflict and interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. Caroline also partners with survivors of violence to engage in restorative pathways to healing through facilitation of Victim Offender Dialogues. Beyond her work at CCR, Caroline teaches yoga and mindfulness in a variety of settings, sharing the ways that movement can help us heal.
Karen Slaughter
Karen was introduced to the Center for Conflict Resolution in 2017 when she participated in CCR’s Interpersonal Conflict Resolution and Mediation training and, later, in CCR's Neighborhood Accountability Board (NAB) training. Before coming to work at CCR, Karen regularly volunteered as a community member for CCR’s Neighborhood Accountability Boards, and since joining the staff in 2019, she has begun to manage the NAB program. Karen also provides mediation services for CCR, which includes assisting with Landlord /Tenant cases at the Jackson County Court in Kansas City. Karen holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science as well as an Associate Degree in Paralegal Technologies. She volunteers with the Key Coalition Neighborhood working to help people, families and neighborhoods. Karen is happiest when she's helping others realize their dreams.
cedric thomas
Cedric is a native of Kansas City, Kansas and began volunteering with CCR as a way to get more involved with his community while working in the security field. He quickly found a passion for CCR’s mission, earning certifications in Restorative Justice, Circle Facilitation, Trauma Awareness and Resilience, Restorative Discipline, and ICR/ Mediation. In the fall of 2023, Cedric joined the team as a full time staff member, bringing his passion and expertise to the Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC) as a Restorative Justice Facilitator. He is also an integral part of the schools team, working as a Restorative Practices Specialist with middle and high school students.
ann van zee
Ann joined the team as Development Officer in April 2024 with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She received her BA from Cornell College and returned to school as a non-traditional student to obtain a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. Her previous experiences include serving as a full-time volunteer for US Army family programs and social services, and eight years as an AmeriCorps program manager. Switching to fundraising roles in 2019, she’s been proud to help organizations of all sizes effectively communicate and engage with their supporters. She was honored to be a founding member of The Modernists friends group of the WWI Museum and Memorial and is an active Centurions alum (class of 2015). A longtime resident of the Columbus Park neighborhood, she believes in buying, eating, and drinking local whenever possible.
Alicia Wade
Alicia joined CCR in 2023 as the Bookkeeper and Office Coordinator. Her most recent job was in quality control with a national food manufacturing company where she learned the value of precision and follow-through. Her studies in Early Childhood Education and Phlebotomy earned her certificates in those areas and she is currently on a path to a Liberal Arts Degree at Johnson County Community College. Alicia is very active in the lives of her two nephews, has embraced the concepts of Conflict Transformation and Restorative Justice, and is delighted to be a part of the important work that CCR brings to the community.
shanna whitley
Shanna was born and raised in St. Louis, MO then moved to Kansas City for college. Growing up in Ferguson, MO was where her interest in Criminal Justice and Criminology started. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology (CJC) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She was introduced to CCR through a school-to-prison pipeline session at a CJC Conference, and felt an immediate connection to her background in leadership camps for youth. She continues to volunteer every summer as a Youth Empowerment Professional at the National Leadership Conference through the American Youth Foundation "where youth are empowered to be their own selves, at their very best, all the time." Shanna's love and dedication to Criminal Justice and Criminology, her passion for helping people, and commitment to restorative justice principles makes CCR the perfect place for her.
Larry Wilkins
Larry is CCR’s Community Outreach Specialist, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of three children, and the proud grandfather to two young grandchildren. Larry brings a facilitation background to his work at CCR, having been the Director of Leadership Development and a group facilitator for Brothers in Blue, a prison reentry program. Since joining the CCR team he has gained certificates in Restorative Justice, Circle Facilitation, Trauma Awareness and Resilience, and Restorative Discipline. Larry co-facilitates Re-Think Conflict classes—CCR’s new approach to anger management, as well as Neighborhood Accountability Board trainings. He is a gifted youth Conflict Resolution trainer in the schools and lives the principles of Restorative Justice in his work in the community.
gregory winship
Gregory is the Restorative Justice Strategist, Justice Cohort Manager, and Finance Director for CCR. He was introduced to restorative justice principles in 2004 and has more than 25 years of experience dealing with interpersonal conflict resolution in the criminal justice system. Greg creates, manages and delivers conflict resolution and restorative justice programs in prisons in Missouri and Kansas, including Leavenworth Federal prison. He also manages the adult trainings in schools and in the community. Gregory earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Graceland University, and received a Master’s Degree in Restorative Justice from Eastern Mennonite University.
Alexandra Woods
Allie is the School Cohort Manager and comes to CCR after being in the classroom for 6 years as a special education teacher. Having taught in Washington D.C. and Chicago, she was eager and passionate about returning home to Kansas City to continue working with students and those who are justice-involved. Allie transitioned out of the classroom and to CCR after seeing the power that Restorative Practices have on a student's life both inside and outside of the classroom. Allie holds a B.S. in Human Services from Loyola University Chicago and a Master's of Education and Human Development from The George Washington University. She was first introduced to Restorative Justice in Washington D.C. after working with an all-boys cohort within the public high school, and she looks forward to growing her practice in the Kansas City community.