The FRJA Board of Directors
Gretchen Casey
President
President
Gretchen provides facilitation and training on utilizing and incorporating restorative justice approaches in criminal cases involving serious crime. For over 34 years Gretchen has been an advocate and counselor for victims of crime in Gainesville, FL. From 1999-2012, She was also the Director of Project Payback, a juvenile offender restitution program housed in the State Attorney's Office-8th Judicial Circuit. Gretchen is also the creator of amendinitiative.org and the facebook platform page Unshame which posts supportive messages for survivors of sexual assault. She believes that our lives are defined by what we are paying attention to; that people and ideals are often in conflict, and that in order to repair harm we need to face and understand harm. She has studied Morita therapy and trained with Dr. Brian Ogawa for the past 24 years. On weekends she is an avid gardener, horseback rider, and story collector. Here is a link to Gretchen's recent TEDxUF talk, Restorative Justice: Repairing the Harm after Sexual Assault https://youtu.be/eGzjM1JEbwo
Sam Ashley
Vice President
Vice President
Sam Ashley, Ed. D. is a public school administrator and licensed trainer through the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). In addition to his restorative practice training through the IIRP, Dr. Ashley received restorative justice trainings conducted by Dr. Mara Schiff and the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. Dr. Ashley is an experienced conference presenter on the topics of restorative practices and school climate. He currently oversees the restorative practice initiative at a large Central Florida middle school (2800+ students in the 18-19 school year).
During his career in education, he has served in traditional public, virtual, and alternative education schools. Dr. Ashley earned his doctorate in Education from the University of Central Florida. He also hold's a master's degree (M.Ed.) in educational leadership from Stetson University, a master's degree (M.Ed.) in K-8 Mathematics and Science Education from the University of Central Florida, and a bachelor's degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in environmental studies/geography. Dr. Ashley’s research interests include restorative practice implementation, education leadership, and school climate. He enjoys spending time with his family, conducting trainings in restorative practices, and mentoring aspiring leaders.
During his career in education, he has served in traditional public, virtual, and alternative education schools. Dr. Ashley earned his doctorate in Education from the University of Central Florida. He also hold's a master's degree (M.Ed.) in educational leadership from Stetson University, a master's degree (M.Ed.) in K-8 Mathematics and Science Education from the University of Central Florida, and a bachelor's degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in environmental studies/geography. Dr. Ashley’s research interests include restorative practice implementation, education leadership, and school climate. He enjoys spending time with his family, conducting trainings in restorative practices, and mentoring aspiring leaders.
Janelle King
Secretary
Secretary
Janelle King works at the Florida Department of Children and Families in the Office of Child Welfare. She serves as the statewide Restorative Practices Specialist and is DCF's representative on the implementation, training, and ongoing coordination of restorative practices throughout the state. Before joining DCF, she worked at the Department of Juvenile Justice. She serves as DCF’s point of contact for statewide crossover-related efforts and is also the coordinator for DCF’s Florida Youth Leadership Academy. Janelle volunteers with the Community Connections Program in Tallahassee. She is very passionate about restorative practices and Nonviolent Communication and is licensed through the International Institute for Restorative Practices in restorative practices and is working on becoming a certified NVC trainer. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Criminology from Florida State University in 2017. She is currently a fellow with the New Leaders Council leadership training program in Tallahassee. She enjoys playing tennis, doing yoga, and being outside.
Jacqui Lashbrook
Treasurer
Treasurer
Jacqui Lashbrook currently serves as the Youth Services Supervisor for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Community Justice Program (CJP). Her role involves designing and implementing program services for youth diverted away from the criminal justice system. The program focuses on accountability and competency development of justice involved youth and reparations for crime victims, with the goal of community safety through the application of Restorative Justice principles. As a Cuban native having grown up in Miami, FL Jacqui uses her experience as a catalyst for system change. Jacqui believes that restorative justice is a way to life. She believes in the power of restorative justice and wants to be part of the cultural shift that is possible with this grass-roots practice.
Jacqui has an BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Florida International University. For Jacqui, it is important to find ways to engage community members through an intersectional and youth centered lens. She is uniquely positioned within a law enforcement agency to bridge the gap between law enforcement and youth. Jacqui’s work in the community includes facilitating peacemaking circles between law enforcement officers and youths, as well as being on committees seeking to increase youth voice in local youth services.
Jacqui has an BA in Sociology/Anthropology from Florida International University. For Jacqui, it is important to find ways to engage community members through an intersectional and youth centered lens. She is uniquely positioned within a law enforcement agency to bridge the gap between law enforcement and youth. Jacqui’s work in the community includes facilitating peacemaking circles between law enforcement officers and youths, as well as being on committees seeking to increase youth voice in local youth services.
Heart Phoenix
Board Member
Board Member
Heart's work, service and activism has spanned over five decades in the United States and internationally. As an educator and champion of environmental, animal rights, social justice, restorative justice, peacebuilding, racial and gender equality issues, she brings the passion and energy of her name....Heart. She is a co-founder of The Peace Alliance working towards legislation for a more peaceful and sustainable world. She is currently living her dream as Board President of the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, in honor of her son. Her tireless efforts to launch and drive this work has lead to success in forming partnerships with Law Enforcement, Department of Juvenile Justice, Florida's State Attorney's Office, the University of Florida and countless partners in peacebuilding. She co-founded "Peace4Gainesville: A Trauma Responsive Community Initiative."
Her passion and commitment to nonviolence, includes over 40 years of a vegan lifestyle, and has been the center point of her life.
Her passion and commitment to nonviolence, includes over 40 years of a vegan lifestyle, and has been the center point of her life.
Sergeant Tysheika Shaw
Board Member
Board Member
Sergeant Tysheika Shaw grew up in Miami, FL and began her career in Law Enforcement in 2005 as a Victim Advocate with the Margate Police Department; where she served as a certified Victims’ Rights Practitioner. After 3 years of service, Tysheika switched roles and became a full-time Law Enforcement Officer with the Miramar Police Department in 2008.
During her Tenure with the Miramar Police Department, Tysheika worked in Road Patrol where she partook in various operations. In 2011, Tysheika was granted the opportunity to become a Community Resource Officer. Tysheika used every opportunity as a Road Patrol and CRO Officer to volunteer and give back to the community by serving as mentor in youth services program.
In 2012, Tysheika was promoted to Police Sergeant where she manned the road for five years as a first-line supervisor. In 2018, she was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division where she currently serves as a Sergeant in the Detective Bureau.
Tysheika is a proud member on the Justice Project Task Force where she serves as a Peace Circle Facilitator at the Urban League of Broward County.
During her Tenure with the Miramar Police Department, Tysheika worked in Road Patrol where she partook in various operations. In 2011, Tysheika was granted the opportunity to become a Community Resource Officer. Tysheika used every opportunity as a Road Patrol and CRO Officer to volunteer and give back to the community by serving as mentor in youth services program.
In 2012, Tysheika was promoted to Police Sergeant where she manned the road for five years as a first-line supervisor. In 2018, she was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division where she currently serves as a Sergeant in the Detective Bureau.
Tysheika is a proud member on the Justice Project Task Force where she serves as a Peace Circle Facilitator at the Urban League of Broward County.
Dr Cindy Bigbie, Julya Rose Taylor Denholm DeMaria, and Kelly McGrath, Esq.
Founders
Founders
Around a kitchen table in Tallahassee in 2014, these three friends and colleagues - dedicated to a more just and peaceful world - signed the founding documents for this organization.
The FRJA Staff
Dan Kahn
Executive Director
Executive Director
Along with serving as our Executive Director, Dan teaches empathy skills to teenagers at the Community Connections Restorative Justice Program in Tallahassee, promotes the growth of restorative justice nationally with RJnet as Project Coordinator, and coaches peacebuilding advocates globally with The Peace Alliance.as National Field Coordinator.
Dan received his AB from Amherst College, and his JD from Lewis and Clark College's Northwestern School of Law.
He is the seventh of eight siblings, and uncle of many. He lives in Tallahassee, with Mushi the marvelous orange dog, where he loves to swim, bike, play, cook, eat, and watch stuff grow.
Dan received his AB from Amherst College, and his JD from Lewis and Clark College's Northwestern School of Law.
He is the seventh of eight siblings, and uncle of many. He lives in Tallahassee, with Mushi the marvelous orange dog, where he loves to swim, bike, play, cook, eat, and watch stuff grow.