DRC Events and News

Staff Introductions!

7/25/2023

As a learning organization, the DRC is constantly evolving and changing to meet the needs of our community. Whether it is staff transitions, new or sunsetting programs, or simply the changing of the seasons, there is always so much change happening around us. We recognize we can get lost in the work that do and sometimes forget to pause and reconnect with each other.
We want to offer you the opportunity to get to know a little bit about the current DRC staff! Feel free to reach out with any questions that may come up or if you see you have something in common!

Jody Suhrbier - Executive Director
Jody started at the DRC in 2003 as a volunteer grant writer and stepped into her position as Executive Director in 2016. She has a graduate degree in Non-Profit management and loves dance of all types. The top item on her bucket list is learning to overcome her fear of the water and learn to swim. Jody's hidden talent is parallel parking!

Elizabeth Drake - Associate Director
Elizabeth came to the DRC as a mediator in 2019 and was brought on as staff in 2022. With her background as a non-partisan researcher, she highly values the role of the neutral third-party that mediation offers. She loves being outdoors, plays the ukulele for fun, and competed in an Ultimate Frisbee national tournament on a women's master's team.

Alice Sharrett - Mediation Manager
Encouraged by a former staff member, Alice began volunteering at the DRC in 2013 and joined as staff in 2017. She has extensive experience coordinating volunteers and admires the collaborative culture the DRC offers to it's staff, volunteers, and the community at large. Alice loves being in the natural world and hikes often.

Ash Edmonds - Volunteer Manager
Ash interned at the DRC in 2021 through the Counseling Skills Program while finishing their B.A. at Evergreen State College. They appreciate the ability to tangibly create opportunities for growth and understanding within our community that the DRC provides. For fun, Ash loves to create and play games, especially table top games. Top item on their bucket list: make a bucket list!

Jennifer Miller - Business Manager
Jennifer began volunteering in 2014 and finally joined the DRC staff in 2015. Jennifer has her bachelor's degree in English Literature and worked as a K-12 teacher. Currently, Jennifer is welcoming and supporting Afghan newcomers to Olympia and Seattle and enjoys showing them the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Jill Busby - Training Manager
Jill started at the DRC in January 2023. She has substantial experience in the nonprofit sector specializing in diversity and inclusion. She is a filmmaker and a writer, and published her book, "Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity" in 2021. Jill will be stepping away from her position as Training Manager in August for her dream job. Bittersweet!

Joe Sanders - Community Engagement Manager
Joe began working at the DRC in 2016 as a semi-recent Olympia transplant. He brought his life experience in marketing, communications, and fundraisings. Joe has a passion for photography and travel and has lived overseas in New Zealand and India. He hopes to one day have his photography published in a travel guide like Lonely Planet.

Ken Stuto - Mediation Coordinator
Ken started working in the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program in 2022. Originally from New York, Ken moved to Olympia in the late 2010s. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son who is named after a character in the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Leah Rietema - Lead Trainer
Leah began working at the DRC in 2022 through a family connection who mentioned an open position. She graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Speech Communication and really appreciates how important and impactful the work of conflict resolution is. Leah loves musicals and feels comforted listening to the songs from her favorites.

Luis Manzo - Business Resources Manager
Luis came to the DRC in 2022 as the Housing Program Manager. He felt a calling to address the housing crisis and is fulfilled by being a part of the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program and the Renter Certification Course. Luis is an avid comic book collector and he even writes and draws his own.

Olivia Huebner - Training Coordinator
Olivia is our newest addition to the DRC team, starting in May 2023. She received her B.A. with a focus in Psychology, Media Arts, and Communications and is also a touring musician! Olivia's hidden talent is her Elvis impersonations and welcomes everyone to stop by to get a peek!

Robyn Togesen - Administrative Services Manager
Robyn began as an intern at the DRC in 2020 and was hired on as staff in 2021. She joined the team while finishing her B.A. in Social Work and is currently working toward her M.A. in Organizational Leadership. Robyn loves to travel and lived in Germany as an Au Pair. Her favorite traveling activity is getting to experience local cuisine.

Yul Gamboa - Bilingual Mediation Services Coordinator
Yul came to the DRC in May 2021 to support the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program with community resources. He is currently finishing his master's in Education Policy and Leadership. Yul is always on the lookout for rivers to swim and dive as well as Mulberry, Marion, and Salmonberry bushes around Thurston County to forage.

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2023 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

7/25/2023

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A big THANK YOU to all those who were able to join us and make this year's annual volunteer appreciation picnic a super special event! We relish every opportunity to celebrate you, without whom the work we do would not be possible!
We are so appreciative to our amazing Board of Directors who brought snacks and libations and spent the afternoon grilling in under the sun! Another big thanks to all the volunteers who brought dishes to share! There were delicious salads, stir-frys, and desserts!
We already can't wait to see you all next year!

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