Patricia Wright is a passionate advocate for justice and a senior at Marquette University, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication Studies and Criminology and Law Studies. Patricia’s interest in restorative justice stems from her belief in healing, reconciliation, and community building, rather than one of punishment and retribution. This is Patricia’s second year…
Bernard E. “Ned” Shlesinger III was born December 17, 1960 in Washington, D.C. A graduate of Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA, he received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering from Virginia Tech in 1983. After college, he was commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Air Force and became a…
Elizabeth Bruenig is a staff writer at The Atlantic. She was previously an opinion writer for The New York Times and The Washington Post, where she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing. She has also been a staff writer at The New Republic and a contributor to the Left, Right &…
Therapist: Brenda Glass, MSSA, LISW-S, is the founder and executive director of the Brenda Glass Multipurpose Trauma Center. Ms. Glass specializes in trauma, cultural inclusivity, and innovative recovery practices for healing and thriving after trauma from violent crimes. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who earned her Master of Science in Social Administration…
Sheila M. McMahon, Ph.D., M.Div., MSW, LCSW (she/her) is currently the Visiting Scholar at the Center for Restorative Justice, University of San Diego. She co-chairs the Restorative Justice Network of Catholic Campuses (RJNCC), which assists in implementation of restorative practices on member campuses. Her research and practice interests center on campus-based and community-level interventions, such…
Elizabeth Bounds’ work and commitments focus on moral and theological responses to conflict and violence, whether in the U.S. prison system or ordinary communal or congregational life. She is always engaging questions of restorative justice and the U.S. criminal justice system, peacebuilding and conflict transformation, working with a variety of participatory and practical methods. She…
Amy Levad is a Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, MN. She is the author of Restorative Justice: Theories and Practices of Moral Imagination and Redeeming a Prison Society: A Liturgical and Sacramental Response to Mass Incarceration as well as numerous articles. Her current work is an ethnographic exploration the “theology of…
Sister Donna Liette is a Precious Blood Sister. She is a trained Restorative Justice Practitioner and coordinated the Women’s Programs at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago. She holds an MA in Education and Supervision from New York University as well as a n MPS Degree from Loyola University Chicago. After years in Education,…
Justice Harold Melton served for 16 years as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and resigned as chief justice in 2021 following his appointment in 2018. Prior to leading Georgia’s judicial branch, he served as executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue and as an assistant attorney general in the office of the attorney…
Imelda Richárd is the Coordinator for Prison Ministry. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Imelda has called the Atlanta area home for the last 20 years. After leaving the corporate world to pursue a career in the culinary arts, she answered a call to serve the Hispanic community in her parish, the Cathedral of Christ…
From Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Alice earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Immaculata University, and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Alice’s professional background includes accounting and technology experience in the banking industry. Since 2016, Alice has worked with the Aquinas Center in various roles. Alice is passionate about…
Jeanne Bishop is an attorney, author and advocate for mercy and redemption in the criminal legal system. A graduate of Northwestern University’s journalism and law schools, Jeanne was also a Visiting Student at Yale Law School. She is a felony attorney in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender in Chicago and an adjunct…