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.

Our Commitment to Equity

We are committed to centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice organizationally, and in our provision of services and programs for the community.
Learn more:  Read the DRC Board of Directors' Statement on Race, Equity & Diversity

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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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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
Eviction Resolution Program Manager
Chad fields inquiries, and coordinates negotiations and mediations involving tenants and landlords, through the Eviction  Resolution Pilot Program.
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Isaid Orozco
Lead Eviction Resolution Program Specialist
Isaid coordinates intake, case management and mediation support to landlords and tenants serviced by the Eviction Resolution  Pilot Program.
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Elizabeth Drake
Facilitation, Grants & Contracts Manager
Elizabeth  coordinates group facilitation and restorative justice services, and manages grant funding and contracts.
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Lucia Wyss
Lead Trainer
Lucia leads and co-leads mediator, public and custom trainings, as well as training for youth and youth-serving organizations.
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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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Robyn Togesen
Development & Administrative
Specialist
Robyn provides support to fundraising, communication, community outreach and administrative activities.
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Mattie Leighton
Case Support Specialist
Mattie provides intake and case management support for mediation and eviction resolution services.
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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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Lora Boone
Staff Manager
Lora works in close collaboration with DRC leadership to provide program support, personnel management, and board support. 
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Yul Gamboa
Resource Specialist
Yul provides resource support to eviction resolution clients, as well as assistance to Spanish-speaking members of our community.
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Oriana Noël Lewis
Training Consultant
Oriana  provides training-related support and consultation to the DRC and training clients on an as-needed basis.

We're supported by a talented and dedicated Board of Directors.

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

​​Deborah Jayne​ (Vice President)
Retired Chief Nurse Executive

​​Mary Sue Wilson (Secretary)
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court
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Curt Gavigan (Treasurer)
Staff Director
​WA State Senate Committee Services

Waeni Mutisya Bacon
Family Law Attorney
Ascher & Denton Family Law

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

​Matt Gerard
Human Resources Director
Lake Washington School District

​​Kevin Partlow
Real Estate Broker &
Retired Boeing Senior Manager
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​​John Skinder
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court

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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