Emmjolee Mendoza Waters serves as the Director of the Death Penalty Abolition Program. Emmjolee is new to the CMN family, joining in August of 2023. Emmjolee brings 20 years of experience in education, advocacy, and ministry with a particular focus on young adults. During Emmjolee’s tenure at The Catholic University of America, she helped build…
Caitlin joined the CMN team in 2017 after seven years of direct social services, volunteer management, operations, and program implementation at faith-based and secular non-profits such as Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Catholic Volunteer Network, Youth Service Opportunities Project and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Caitlin is responsible for program development that increases understanding of restorative justice and use of restorative practices in Catholic contexts.
Joanne Ruddy serves as the Director of Administration at Catholic Mobilizing Network. She is responsible for supporting the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and for providing strategic support for fundraising efforts, and overall administrative support. Prior to joining Catholic Mobilizing Network, she served as Convenings & Meetings Manager at Leadership Roundtable in Washington, D.C….
In his role as Interim Director of Development, Jeff works to ensure that CMN has the financial resources necessary to accomplish its mission to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice. Previously, Jeff was commissioned as a lay missioner through Franciscan Mission Service. He served in Bolivia where he spent most of his time in the Cochabamba prisons,…
Moira, who graduated in the Spring of 2021 from Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Forensic Science, joined the CMN team in the Fall of 2021. Moira was a leader within faith-sharing communities throughout college. Following graduation, Moira worked as a contractor for Ignatian Solidarity Network in preparation for their annual conference.
Lucie Martinot-Lagarde, a native of France, holds an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. She spent a semester studying the implementation of restorative practices in Richmond Public Schools, VA. With extensive experience in both government and Catholic ministry, Lucie specializes in intercultural leadership, project management, and…
Sister Eileen, the Religious Engagement Associate for the Catholic Mobilizing Network, is working with Religious Congregations to broaden and deepen their commitment to ending the death penalty and to enhance the voices of murder victim family members.
Alice Benson, CMN’s Development Associate, is a retired fundraiser after serving over 30 years for various religious and other non-profits in every aspect of fundraising. She discovered her passion for fundraising at age 10, when she started a club to raise money to help others.
Wedeline Casimir is a certified grant writer and the founder of Little Leaf Grants LLC. A resident of Atlanta, GA, she is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music and Music Entrepreneurship. Wedeline has secured nearly half a million dollars in funding and is passionate about supporting Criminal Justice, Children and Youth, and Arts organizations.
Initially a summer intern in 2020, Fatima Torres is now the Database & Development Associate. She recently graduated with a master’s degree in Justice, Law, and Criminology from American University. Fatima is committed to advocating for criminal justice reform through her professional work and academic endeavors. With over 12 years of Catholic education, she understands…
Leslie Willis is the Conversations in Communion Program Coordinator. After supporting CMN with the 2020 virtual Restorative Justice Conference, she is excited to return to the team to help implement the new Conversations in Communion formation program. Leslie’s background is in intercultural and social-emotional education, restorative justice, and youth empowerment through experiential learning. She was…
Cody is a native of the Rio Grande Valley. He attended Texas State University where he began his studies as a Pre-Med Biology student. However, after learning of his mother’s arrest, the trajectory of Cody’s career changed forever. Cody is a member of the graduating class of 2023 at St. Mary’s University School of Law…