Emily Gray Joins DRC as New Volunteer Manager

​Emily Gray has joined the Dispute Resolution Center’s staff as our new Volunteer Manager.  In her new role, she will lead volunteer recruitment, retention and coordination activities, as well as manage the DRC’s mediator practicum program.
 
Emily comes to the DRC from The Evergreen State College, where she most recently served as Assistant to the Director of the Writing Center.  She hold a B.A. from Evergreen, with a focus on writing and Spanish, and is a graduate of the DRC’s Professional Mediation and Multi-Party Mediation trainings.  Emily has strong community connections, including serving on the Board of Directors of Interfaith Works, and has been involved for a number of years with the Olympia Food Co-op.
 
“The Volunteer Manager is a vital position, responsible for building and maintaining a vibrant community of practice and service delivery among the paid and unpaid staff,” stresses DRC Executive Director Jody Suhrbier.  “We had a robust candidate pool with several strong applicants with connections to the DRC, each with unique talents and strengths, so it was a difficult decision.  Ultimately, we made our selection based on the current culture and team, and our vision for the future of the DRC.  Emily brings with her an impressive blend of communication and conflict resolution experience; a collaborative, team mentality; and positive, focused energy.  We are delighted to welcome her more fully into the DRC family.”

Emily succeeds Carly Thornburg, the DRC’s Volunteer Manager since 2015, who is stepping away from her staff role but will remain involved as a volunteer mediator.  “Carly is a talented communicator with a strong passion for community building,” notes Suhrbier.  “We all wish her the very best in her next venture.”
 
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Emily can be reached at egray@mediatethurston.org.

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