A key part of efficient and experienced service delivery is having the right people for the job. As I work to implement my vision for MARS I have also provided my staff with the tools that will showcase their strengths and allow them to thrive as they feed their passion. It is with great pride that I announce our recent staffing development.
To continue ensuring that our work comes together seamlessly, and we function as a cohesive unit, Christine Ley now serves as our Operations Manager. Christine came to MARS after observing our work in both the community and court setting and has proven to not only have the mindset for mediation and restorative work but has quickly developed the needed skill set. Christine has completed her BA in psychology from Metro State University and came to intern at MARS through a recommendation from Metro State University. She has cultural education and a passion for helping youth. She has volunteered many hours in various youth programs and comes to us with knowledge and understanding of youth behavior.
Lately Christine has dabbled into just about every aspect of MARS and is ready to learn on the fly and willing to participate in anything MARS throws her way. She has gained skills in finances, day to day operations, grant management, volunteer wants/needs and is wanting to help expand MARS in any way possible. She is open to new ideas and trainings.
Additionally, as we continue to segment programs, expand our grant efforts and develop holistically as an organization, we found it fitting to have Dana Amundson as our Programs and Development Manager.
Dana is a licensed social worker with a concentration in Multicultural Macro Practice. Her work is informed by more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on housing, research, program evaluation, and organizational development. Over the past year and a half at MARS, she has skillfully navigated challenges in the housing landscape brought on by the pandemic. From the eviction moratorium to the abrupt closure of the RentHelpMN program, she has prioritized the role that mediation has in maintaining housing stability. This work has strengthened her resolve to continue working alongside communities that experience the brunt of the affordable housing crisis in the Twin Cities.
Dana also firmly believes in the immense power of restorative practices to repair harm and heal relationships in our communities. She is committed to pursuing sustainable and equitable transformation in the Twin Cities through addressing systemic disparities and to see each individual be empowered and thrive in their lives.
We are thrilled to welcome Hannah Peterson, our new Restorative Practice Intern! Hannah is interning at MARS through the Criminology undergraduate program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She will be graduating during the summer with a B.A. in both Criminology and Anthropology. Her educational background in alternative intervention techniques, social justice, advocacy, & the criminal justice system stems from a social sciences background that fuels a human-centered approach that led to her interest in working with communities that utilize restorative practices as an alternative conflict resolution practice. Additionally, she is looking forward to working collaboratively to further services that can be offered through MARS, and furthering the goals and interests of the community.
MARS is very proud of the work they do, and we are very lucky to have these wonderful people on board. Congratulations, Christine, Dana, and Hannah.
These phenomenal ladies can be reached at:
Dana: dana@mediationservice.org
Christine: christine@mediationservice.org
Hannah: hannah@mediationservice.org
Bernadette Foh
MARS Executive Director
