Our Mission

The Dispute Resolution Center empowers people to resolve their disputes by providing conflict resolution services and training community members in those skills.

Our Vision

We envision a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful conflict resolution skills.

Our Values

We value personal empowerment, integrity, respect, collaboration, civility, and trust.

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Our Staff

Jody Suhrbier
Executive Director
Jody's provides stewardship for the DRC's mission fulfillment and long-term health, and nurtures collaborative partnerships in our community and beyond.
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​Alice Sharrett
Mediation Manager
Alice supports DRC mediations, working with volunteer mediators, intake staff, clients and the public to coordinate mediation services.
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Jennifer Miller
Business Manager
Jennifer manages financial, business and compliance matters, and provides operations support to DRC programs.
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Oriana Noël Lewis
Public Training Manager
Oriana  provides customized  training in communication and conflict resolution, and conflict coaching, to businesses and organizations.
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Charlotte Aldrich
​Mediation Training Manager
Charlotte leads skill-building training - from foundational to advanced levels - and provides continuing education opportunities for mediators.
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Chad Stead
Resolution Specialist
Chad fields inquiries, and coordinates negotiations and mediations involving tenants and landlords, through the Eviction  Resolution Program.
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Lucia Wyss
Youth Services Manager
Lucia provides training, conflict resolution and restorative justice support to schools, youth, and adults working with youth in our community.
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Logan Porter
Mediator Support Specialist
Logan provides support, and coordinates communication and certification/recertification, for current mediators, practicum participants and trainees. 
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Joe Sanders
Community Engagement Manager
Joe coordinates fundraising, marketing, communication , events and community  outreach in support of  DRC services.
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Alejandra Hunt
Case Support Specialist
Alejandra provides intake and case management support, and provides assistance and resources to Spanish-speaking members of our community.
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We're supported by a talented and dedicated Board of Directors.

Mickey Venn Lahmann (President)
Education Consultant &
Retired K-12 Administrator

​​John Skinder (Vice President)
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court

​​Mary Sue Wilson (Secretary)
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court

​​Deborah Jayne​ (Treasurer)
Retired Chief Nurse Executive

​Mary Barrett (Immediate Past President)
Retired Assistant Director
WA State Department of Revenue

Waeni Mutisya Bacon
Family Law Attorney
Ascher & Denton Family Law

​Bob Butts
Education Consultant & Retired Assistant
​Superintendent of Early Learning, OSPI

Curt Gavigan
Staff Director
​WA State Senate Committee Services

​Matt Gerard
Human Resources Professional

​​Kevin Partlow
Real Estate Broker &
Retired Boeing Senior Manager

​Jacob Reeves
Student
Olympia High School
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Alicia Varvaro
Operations Supervisor
Twin Star Credit Union

​Julie Watson
Policy Lead
WA State Department of Fish & Wildlife

Our History

Community mediation began in this country during the Carter presidency and the Berger Supreme Court in the 1970’s.  The federal impetus was an over-crowded court system with increasing numbers of litigants suing each other.  In Washington State, the Court Reorganization Act of 1984 (RCW 7.75) made it possible for communities to form community dispute resolution centers (DRCs).

Our story in Thurston County began in 1990 with the simple notion that residents can settle their own disputes and learn effective communications with a little bit of help from other residents who’ve learned some practical, teachable and highly effective skills as neutral facilitators. We opened for services in 1991 as a not-for-profit DRC authorized by the County Commissioners under the state statute.

The DRC organizing effort fell on very fertile soil. More and more people volunteered to get trained and provide conflict resolution services to their fellow community members. Within a few short years many community entities were involved, such as schools, courts, law enforcement, social services, churches, and civic organization.  Volunteers came from a wide cross-section of the community.  Those who took our training, whether they continued to volunteer with us or not, took their skills back to their everyday lives at home, at work, and beyond.

The growth of our DRC has been held up by a strong set of values.  These values shape how the board, staff and volunteers work with each other and how the DRC provides mediation and training services to our clients, the residents of Thurston County.  We promote respect, empowerment, civility and kindness in all human interactions, starting with ourselves and extending outwards from there.

The DRC of Thurston County is one of 21 DRCs covering more than 94% of the state’s population. DRCs work collaboratively through an umbrella organization, Resolution Washington, to provide a relevant and cohesive array of services.

Our Affiliations

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