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
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​Alice Sharrett
Mediation Manager
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Jennifer Miller
Business Manager
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Oriana Noël Lewis
Public Training Manager
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Jesse Laird
Special Projects Manager
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Lucia Wyss
Youth Services Manager
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Charlotte Aldrich
​Mediation Training Manager
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Joe Sanders
Community Engagement Manager
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We're supported by a talented and dedicated Board of Directors.

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

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

Beth Hyer (Secretary)
Business Owner &
Massage Practitioner

​Kitty Parker ​(Treasurer)
Retired Director of Academic Advising
The Evergreen State College

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

​Carla Carter
Lieutenant
Thurston County Sheriff's Office

​Matt Gerard
Human Resources Professional

​​Deborah Jayne
Retired Chief Nurse Executive

​Kevin Partlow
Real Estate Broker &
Retired Boeing Senior Manager

​John Skinder
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court

​​Mary Sue Wilson
Judge
Thurston County Superior Court

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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