Peacebuilding Team:
Crixell Shell, MS
Executive Director Peacebuilding Trainer Coming to the Table Racial Talking Circle Facilitator She/Her (Why we list pronouns) In 2022, Crixell assumed the role of Executive Director. From 2020-2021, she held the position of Assistant Executive Director. Crixell is a legal, technology and higher educational professional who holds a Master of Software Systems degree from the University of St. Thomas, a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University, and is a Rule 114 Community Mediator. She graduated from the STAR Training in 2010 and has been passionate about sharing STAR with others since then. In 2013 she attended the STAR Level II Training at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and the Restorative Justice 101 Training in 2014. She is a charter member of Peacebuilding's Community Advisory Board. In June 2013 she become a Peacebuilding Associate Trainer. She facilitates the free monthly Minnesota Peacebuilding Film Series and Coming to the Table program. 
Fran Balster
Administrative Support She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Fran became a part of the Peacebuilding team in June of 2023 as administrative support for all of the smaller yet important details that keeps the organization running. She is delighted to be included with this group and its important work as we build a better world around us piece by piece, person by person. Along with her work in Peacebuilding, Fran owns her own yoga business focused on bringing the healing practices of Yoga and bodywork to all - regardless of physical ability. She became a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) in 2021, certified in Accessible Yoga in 2022, and is currently on her way to becoming a IAYT-certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) in 2025. 
Peter Digitale Anderson
Coming to the Table Coordinator he/him (Why we list pronouns) Peter began co-facilitating Coming to the Table circles in 2021, and stepped into the Coming to the Table Coordinator role in January 2023. Coming from a background in community organizing and conflict transformation, Peter is passionate about discovering their own power and role in healing themselves and society. He has a MA in Theology and Peace Studies from the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, became a STAR Practitioner after taking STAR II at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, teaches and coaches people in nonviolence, social change, and conflict transformation skills, and stays busy as a racial justice organizer in the Twin Cities. When he has spare time, Peter enjoys long hikes, exploring Minnesota's state parks, and going on new local adventures with his family. 
Yahtiley-Phoenix Bell-Waltz-Ward
CTTT Facilitator She/Her (Why we list pronouns)Yahtiley-Phoenix Bell-Waltz-Ward (B.A.) is a resident of Baltimore, Maryland- lands of the Piscataway, Piscataway-Conoy, & Susquehannock. She is part of the Indigenous/Native community. Yahtiley-Phoenix is a descendant of the Cherokee Nation Eastern Band, Muskogee Creek Nation, & Blackfeet Nation. Yahtiley-Phoenix holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts for Government & Public Policy. Yahtiley-Phoenix started her journey with Peacebuilding during the pandemic in 2021 by attending trainings & co-facilitating CTTT. Yahtiley-Phoenix's work also includes holding an appointed seat to the Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council which allocates Ryan White funding to provide & enhance the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. Yahtiley-Phoenix is also a MPAC (Maryland Peer Advisory Council) fellow. MPAC helps peer recovery specialists achieve goals of certification & support for peer recovery specialists. As a peer recovery specialist (working with those who are in recovery from drugs, alcohol, mental health, and trauma) she specializes in working with Indigenous mothers, families, as well those suffering from trauma. 
Jean Thompson
Marketing Manager She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Jean joined the Peacebuilding team in May 2022 and is honored to be a part of an organization that has the incredible mission to transform trauma into power. Jean loves sharing information about worthwhile causes and connecting people with resources. She has experience providing marketing/communications services to various non-profits as a volunteer and, in addition to her role at Peacebuilding, works part-time as a communication coordinator for a non-profit that provides conflict resolution services. Jean also has experience working in the fields of healthcare, conservation, and environmental regulation. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. While not working, Jean is spending time with her children (twin boys), reading, learning a new skill, birdwatching, and just spending time outside. 
Helen Wooley
Accountant, MPNA She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Helen Wooley has worked with Peacebuilding since 2014 as the contracted accountant, and in July of 2022 she joined the staff part time in the same position. She has her Master’s degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration, and her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, both from Metropolitan State University in the Twin Cities. Along with her work with Peacebuilding, she is the CEO of her own Accounting and Tax firm. In her spare time, Helen enjoys time with her husband and two dogs, and volunteering with a national breed specific dog rescue organization. Special Projects
Gemma Salentine
Trainer She/Her and They/Them (Why we list pronouns) Gemma comes to Peacebuilding with a background in communications, social advocacy, and mental health work. Her previous work with nonprofits has focused on reproductive justice, the intersections of the immigration and criminal legal systems, voter engagement, education and literacy, and more. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota. In addition to her work with Peacebuilding, she is a pediatric mental health specialist. Board of Directors
Emily Myers Hunt
Board Chair She/Her/They/Them (Why we list pronouns) Emily has extensive advocacy and engagement experience, helping address barriers in traumatized communities: civil rights, voting rights, education, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. Emily holds an MA in English and is a graduate student in nonprofit leadership, with focuses on education, advocacy, and communications. Emily joined the Peacebuilding board in Jan. 2017, assuming the role of Board Chair in January 2020, and is a graduate of the STAR-Lite Training. 
Becca Welna
Board Treasurer She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Becca Welna’s work is focused on domestic and sexual violence prevention and connecting the community to the cause via strategic communications. Prior to joining Sojourner, Becca worked as a crisis counselor at Huckleberry House, a youth shelter in San Francisco, where she received training in trauma-informed care, restorative justice and youth development. This work highlighted the need to strengthen resilience practices in young people and dismantle structures which create and uphold inequality, racism and violence. She recently went back to school for a graduate certificate in content strategy and storytelling and loves working creatively to share the “on the ground” impact stories with the larger community. Becca is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys teaching both gentle, trauma-informed yoga to adults and playful kids/family yoga. She joined MN Peacebuilding’s board in 2020 and assumed the role of Board Treasurer in January 2022. 
Christopher O. Mendez
Board Director Christopher O. Mendez is young professional in the field of conflict resolution and restorative practices. His academic and professional backgrounds are as diverse as they come. His professional experiences range from naval military security, retail management, higher educational editing, writing instruction and training, international manufacturing management, middle/high school instruction (private-school setting), higher education academic affairs, refugee case management for trauma-informed minors, and program development and implementation in mediation and restorative practices. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in Social Psychology. He completed his Master's and Doctoral degrees, in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Nova Southeastern University. Though trained in a variety of methods of conflict resolution at most levels, Dr. Mendez’s area of interest and expertise are three: (a) group based conflicts dealing with religion, culture, nationalism; (b) in treatment of vulnerable populations during and after conflict; and (c) the use of restorative practices to in schools, courts, and communities at large. Chris is 2018 STAR graduate and a passionate supporter of Peacebuilding. 
Earnest Belton
Board Director He/Him (Why we list pronouns) Earnest is a United States military veteran who is a professional mediator and team builder with the State of Minnesota. He mediates disputes between labor and management, conducts hearings, and works with multiple parties to repair damaged relationships. He is a STAR-Lite graduate who is committed to making sure all of Minnesota’s minority communities have access to Peacebuilding’s trainings. Ernie enthusiastically supports Peacebuilding's mission and joined the board in January 2017. 
Sonja Fernández-Quiñones
Board Director She/Her/They/Them (Why we list pronouns) Sonja was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Her main passions are social justice and human rights. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Sonja now calls the Twin Cities home. She currently serves as Systems Change Advocate for the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis, acting as the site coordinator for the Hennepin County Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team. In her spare time, she serves as the acting Social Media Director for Proyecto Didasko, a Spanish digital magazine for which she is also the Senior Editor and writer. In addition to writing, she loves music, coffee, and spending time with her family and her dog Benito. Sonja is a February 2021 graduate of the 5-day STAR Training which influenced her decision to join Peacebuilding’s Board of Directors. 
Kay Pranis
Board Director She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Kay Pranis teaches and writes about the dialogue process known as 'peacemaking circles.' Kay learned about peacemaking circles in her work in restorative justice in the mid-90s. From 1994 – 2003 Kay held the position of Restorative Justice Planner at the MN Department of Corrections, the first government position in the US related directly to the framework of restorative justice. Kay works primarily as a trainer in the peacemaking circle process. Kay has a particular interest in the use of circles to support social justice efforts addressing racial, economic, class and gender inequities. That interest includes the use of peacemaking circles to understand and respond to historical harms to groups of people. The peacemaking circle process has been a source of energy, inspiration and continuous learning for Kay for the past 20 years. 
Julie Rapacki
Board Director She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Julie Rapacki is a lifelong Minnesota resident. She began attending Coming to the Table monthly learning circles in 2020 and completed STAR-lite and facilitation training. Deepening her commitment to Peacebuilding’s transformational work, she co-facilitates monthly healing circles with Yahtiley-Phoenix Bell-Waltz-Ward and joined the board in 2023. She works for the State of Minnesota as a business project manager, is active in its equity, justice and anti-racism efforts and serves on the board of Rock ‘n Read, dedicated to unlocking all children’s potential for reading and learning through singing. Julie earned a BA in philosophy at Lawrence University and JD at William Mitchell, now Mitchell Hamline. She is committed to unlearning false narratives and practicing trauma informed, resilience oriented, acts of restorative justice. 
Katey Pelican
Board Director She/Her (Why we list pronouns) Dr. Pelican’s work focuses on strengthening the multisectoral systems needed to address the world’s most complex challenges arising at the interface of people, the planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership (the Sustainable Development Goals and One Health). She founded and is currently the director of the Strategic Partnerships and Research Collaborative (SPARC; sparc.umn.edu) at the University of Minnesota charged with establishing large-scale, multidisciplinary programs and projects to address global grand challenges. She also founded and co-leads the University system-wide Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Initiative (sdg.umn.edu) to promote high-impact programs and partnerships to meet these 17 UN goals from the local to the global level. She was the Deputy Director and Principal Investigator for the USAID One Health Workforce Project ($64M, 2014-2020) that worked with more than 97 Universities in 17 countries in Africa and Asia to strengthen the multisectoral workforce responsible for addressing pandemic threats. She currently leads a partnership with USDA, CDC, DTRA, US Dept of State, FAO and WHO among others to implement new participatory and collaborative tools, most notably the One Health Systems Mapping and Analysis Resource Toolkit (OH-SMART; oh-smart.umn.edu) in the US and 29 countries globally to improve multisectoral cooperation around infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance, climate resilience, indigenous community food sovereignty, wildlife population management, natural disasters, reforestation, value chain security, and other complex challenges. 
Dawn Vogel
Board Director She/Her (Why we list pronouns) "The mission of Peacebuilding Leadership Institute aligns with my own in many ways, I believe it is essential work in the community. I am passionate about amplifying the possibilities for further impact. As a visual storyteller and founder of Luminous Concepts Productions in 2000, I’ve been a regular attendee of LUNAFEST. For the past several years, I have been deepening my experience and learning around healing trauma and the healing power of circles. Career wise, I have provided contract training, consulting and video production/photography services for large scale organizational / community initiatives. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon in 1994-95. This one experience shaped the trajectory of my life and career. I have been creating a personal creative project called Fire to Gold: An Alchemy of Women’s Stories, with a vision to launch traveling photo exhibitions, conversation and healing circles. I look forward to collaborating with other board members and staff to shape the strategic direction, ultimately co-evolving trauma-integrated, resilience oriented, restorative justice focused societal and human systems that offer greater ecosystems of peace, health and wellbeing for all." Community Peacebuilding Ambassadors
Donna Arriaga
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Donna is the Director, Nonprofit Digital Strategy at PMX Agency. She brings over ten years of experience developing and launching integrated, omni-channel marketing strategies involving social media, website, email, mobile, and SEO/SEM. Donna has developed and launched digital marketing strategies for national nonprofits, SMBs, and local organizations. She specializes in strategy, marketing technology and analytics. She served on Peacebuilding's board from 2015 - 2017. 
Kechi Bisong Duffy
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Kechi has an extensive background in corporate retail. She has worked at Target Corporation, Supervalu, and Kellogg. She is a Category Manager for Moscoe Group that supports Target Corporation. She holds B.A. in Political Science from Tuskegee University. Kechi loves volunteering and was a volunteer track coach for a number of years for Pearl Park. Kechi has two children and in her free time likes to perform amateur comedy. She is passionate about building peace and leading by example for her kids and being part of an organization that embodies that very principle. She served on Peacebuilding's board from 2016 - 2019. 
Bruce Brunner
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Bruce is devoted to creating affordable housing solutions in Minneapolis that are just and fair for all parties. He earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. For 30 years, he worked in US and international business, gaining financial expertise in marketing, production, and sales. He has held executive positions at Fortune 500 companies, privately owned companies, and his own companies in the USA and Hong Kong. He has expertise with fair labor, fair trade, international business practices, leadership, administration, tax and real estate issues, accounting, and financial reporting. He has been a board director and chair for numerous nonprofit organizations. From January 2011-December 2012, he served on the Peacebuilding’s Community Advisory Committee. From January 2013-December 2021, he served as Peacebuilding’s Board Treasurer. Bruce graduated from the STAR Training in 2012 and finds STAR concepts and strategies helpful and applicable in his personal and professional life to promote justice for all. 
Kirstin Burch
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Kirstin Burch serves as the Director of the local nonprofit ZOOM House, bringing invaluable experience in business, community organizing, and culturally inclusive relationship building. Her deep passion for providing holistic support and community-driven programming has yielded developments in the areas of resident relationships and mental wellness. Kirstin holds an individualized studies B.A. from Metropolitan State University with a focus on Culturally Inclusive Approaches to Economic Advocacy and Leadership. She serves as a Community Board Member of the Blaisdell YMCA and the Governing Board of the MN Peacebuilding Leadership Institute. Additionally, she serves on the Anti-Bias Council and the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) at St. Paul’s Childhood Center in Saint Paul, MN, where she has contributed to fundraising efforts to maintain childcare for low-income families and creating an inclusive environment in the classroom. Kirstin is a native resident of St. Paul. In her free time, she enjoys sports activities, cooking, and traveling with her 3 kids. She is a 2018 STAR Training graduate and served on Peacebuilding's board from 2018-2019. 
Wokie Freeman, MBA
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Wokie is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Brooklyn Park. She holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree and is a 2013 STAR graduate and 2014 RJ 101 graduate. Wokie is passionate about spreading STAR and other peacebuilding trainings within her Liberian community and North Minneapolis where she works. She served on Peacebuilding's board from 2014 - 2017. 
Therese Genis, MPH
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Therese coordinates a diabetes and obesity prevention program for Latinos and Native American youth and their families at the YWCA Minneapolis. She is passionate about the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Therese has her master’s degree in Environmental Public Health and a graduate certificate in Complementary and Alternative Healing Practices. Before working at the YWCA she worked at the Minnesota Department of Health in the Health Risk Assessment unit and for the University of Minnesota School of Nursing on Latino and adolescent health research. She loves to travel in her free time and as part of her studies or work. She is a certified racial justice facilitator, certified yoga teacher, and big advocate of holistic health both personally and professionally. Therese joined the Peacebuilding board in January 2017 and served as Peacebuilding's Board Chair from December 2017 to December 2019. She moved to the position of Community Ambassador in July 2020. 
Brian Hammer
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Brian serves as executive director of think2perform Research Institute, a Minneapolis-based non-profit engaged in creating systemic change through research, training and mentorship in emotionally intelligent leadership. He worked for many years in globally-oriented higher education in Vermont, Houston, Seattle, and China, with the goal of building understanding across political and metaphorical borders and challenging accepted categories of thought through experiential learning. He is passionate about building more inclusive, equitable workplaces through active listening and the promotion of flatter decision-making structures. Originally from Minnesota, Brian holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Washington, Seattle, where his research focused on the intersection of cultural politics and resource distribution across time and space. He participated in his first STAR-lite training in 2020. 
Kristin Helling
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Kristin has worked in leadership development for the last 20 years and is the founder of Monarch Leadership Consulting. Kristin has experience consulting with individual contributors to executives in areas such as leadership development, coaching, facilitation and assessment. Kristin has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and is passionate about holding space for people both professionally and personally to have honest, authentic dialogue. Kristin has 2 daughters who, along with mom, are active in promoting social justice and educational issues. In her spare time, you can find Kristin with her girls up north enjoying time by the lake. 
Sarah King
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Sarah oversees the Restorative Justice Program at the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Sarah’s work focuses on restorative and transformative systems change, repairing harm, addressing trauma, and violence prevention. Sarah is a 2013 graduate of STAR; her experience with STAR inspired her to obtain her Master’s in Conflict Transformation with an emphasis in Restorative Justice from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Sarah was on Peacebuilding’s board from January 2018 to March 2021. 
Claire Moran, MFA
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador With a background in creative writing and non-profit work, Claire comes to Peacebuilding with an excitement to tell its story. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a bachelor’s degree in English from McGill University. Her previous non-profit work focused on education, children and families, and HIV/AIDS prevention and support. She was Peacebuilding's Communications Coordinator from 2017 - 2019. Claire is honored to continue supporting the mission of Peacebuilding in Minnesota as a Community Ambassador. 
Antony Stately, PhD
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Antony Stately, PhD (Enrolled Oneida; White Earth and Red Lake Ojibwe Descendent) received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in 1997. His most important job is being Dad to his twin sons, Chaske and Cuauhtli; when he is not doing that job, his other duties include being the Chief Executive Officer for the Native American Community Clinic – a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center in South Minneapolis – which provides primary care, dental care, and behavioral health and substance abuse services to the Twin Cities Native American community, a role he has held since December 2016. Formerly, Dr. Stately served as the Director of Behavioral Health Programs at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, in Prior Lake, MN (from 2009-2016). Previous to that, he was a Research Scientist/Co-investigator and Director of the Center for Translational Research at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, at the University of Washington-Seattle (from 2004-2009); Director of Client Services at AIDS Project Los Angeles (2002-2004); and the founding and inaugural Program Director for Seven Generations Child and Family Counseling Services, in Los Angeles (2000-2002). He has taught in clinical graduate programs at UW School of Social Work, Antioch University-Seattle, Phillips Graduate Institute, CSPP/Alliant University-Los Angeles, Antioch University-Los Angeles, and Loyola Marymount University. He has served as a consultant and advisor to the CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA, the Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NAAPC), the US-Mexico Border Health Association (PAHO/WHO), and numerous NGOs and non-profits delivering health services to tribal and indigenous communities nationally and internationally. 
Jaton White
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Jaton is an engagement consultant with the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) focused on family wellness. She works hand-in-hand with partners, families and scholars to understand their needs related to conflict, social-emotional, safety, and other wellness concerns. Jaton began her work at NAZ in 2012 as a family achievement coach, working to increase parent engagement and boost scholar outcomes. Through active engagement with systems, families, and scholars, she adopted a belief that when a person or system seeks healing that it should be treated as an emergency — it requires deep, intimate, and personal work and an authentic supportive team. Armed as a trained facilitator in “personal empowerment,” she is able to provide supportive, evidence-based tools to aid in the spaces that have a direct impact on Northside scholars and families. Jaton is completing her associate degree in psychology at Minneapolis College with the long-term goal of pursuing her bachelor's degree in social work. 
Yolanda Wilks
Community Peacebuilding Ambassador Yolanda works for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) as a patrol officer and brings over ten years of experience in law enforcement and criminal justice to the board. She has been recognized on several occasions for her service with MPD, winning the Life Saving and Merits award and earning features in the Star Tribune. Yolanda recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in May 2019. In 2018, she started a nonprofit called Suicide Awareness Ministries which aims to increase suicide awareness and provide services to individuals in crisis. Outside of her work as a police officer, Yolanda is the assistant pastor at the Ark of Love and Faith Ministry in St. Paul, MN. She served on Peacebuilding’s board from spring 2019 through winter 2020. |
Community PartnersWe are grateful for community-wide support to extend Peacebuilding's mission.
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