Talia Trout, Executive Director (she/her)
Talia is a distinguished graduate of Southern Oregon University, holding a degree in Psychology. She has an extensive background in nonprofit work throughout Southern Oregon, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to community service. During her studies, Talia gained valuable experience working with youth in the afterschool program at Kid’s Unlimited. She then advanced to a case manager role at the Maslow Project, a vital resource center for homeless youth and families. Her career further flourished at United Way of Jackson County, where she served as the Lead Community Impact Director for nearly 11 years. Talia’s deep knowledge of local nonprofit organizations, combined with her unwavering passion for community support, underscores her exceptional dedication to making a positive impact at Resolve.
Brian Graunke, Mediation Program Coordinator
Brian has been with Resolve since 2001, first as a volunteer then joining on staff in 2009. An accomplished mediator, facilitator and trainer, Brian is known for his easygoing style, affable presence and humor that help put people at ease in high conflict situations. Brian advances mediation statewide as an active member of the Oregon Mediation Association and a past president Oregon Office of Community Dispute Resolution. Brian holds a B.S. from Central Washington University and has completed advanced training in Group Facilitation, Foreclosure Mediation, Court Connected Mediations and Domestic Relations Mediation for parenting plans and financial matters.
Makayla Boscia, Program Coordinator (she/her)
Makayla joined the Resolve staff in 2020 and coordinates court-connected programs and housing, community, and workplace services. She is a civil mediator with training in equity and trauma informed practices, manufactured and marine community mediation, foreclosure avoidance facilitation, and court-connected mediation. She is inspired by the opportunities that conflict can bring when handled with consideration, and hopes to share this view with others through her direct and transparent style of mediating. Makayla holds a B.S. from Southern Oregon University with a concentration in Communication Studies, a minor in Psychology, and coursework in Human Resource Management.
In her free time, Makayla enjoys tending to her many houseplants and discussing effective communication strategies with Steve and Stanley, her pet geckos.
Tiffany Ortamond, Restorative Justice Program Coordinator
Tiffany (Tiff) Ortamond, first became knowledgeable about the principles of restorative justice while living within her intentional community in Oregon. Tiffany’s professional and academic experience combines facilitation, community organizing and program design/implementation. Drawn to explore the intersections of mothering and conflict transformation work, Tiff is currently completing her master’s in Gender, Spirituality and Social Justice from California Institute of Integral Studies, and holds a B.A. in Environmental Justice from Pitzer College.
Mysti Jacob, Resolution Specialist
Mysti Jacob joined the Resolve team in October of 2022 as the Center Operations Coordinator. Previously working with Jackson County Community Justice Juvenile, she was inspired by the positive impact of restorative justice with juvenile offenders. Mysti graduated from Southern Oregon University with a B. S. in Cultural Anthropology, has long volunteered with non-profits within her community and currently serves as a director on the Rogue River School Board.
In her free time, Mysti enjoys traveling, cycling the Rogue Valley and hiking with her dogs.
Zoé La Terreur, Resolution Specialist
Zoé La Terreur grew up on an organic farm in Quebec, Canada. Her love for singing led her to study music in Europe and Canada, where she obtained her M.MUS. Once arriving in Ashland, Oregon, Zoé met her Non-Violent Communication (NVC) teacher and mentor, Joanne Lescher. After feeling and seeing the magical effects of compassionate listening first hand, she became dedicated to learning NVC and applying it in different life situations. After five years of study with Joanne, Zoé started her own private practice in 2020 facilitating and coaching NVC.
As she is making her way towards getting her certification as a Non-Violent Communication trainer, Zoé has aligned her commitment to assist her fellow humans find relief as well as transformation through suffering and conflict, with that of Resolve. Hired in October 2022, she is working with Resolve as a Conflict Resolution Specialist.
Sarah Heigel, Resolution Specialist
Sarah Heigel joined the Resolve team in November of 2023 as a Resolution Specialist. Sarah has worked as an assistant preschool teacher, a dance instructor, and a coffee stand manager, but perhaps most significantly as a river guide with the Life Expanding Adventure Program (LEAP). LEAP provides wilderness programs for people facing adversity and trauma. Through LEAP Sarah experienced firsthand the impacts that community building circles and restorative practices can have and she discovered a passion for navigating social interactions with trauma-informed, intentional communication practices that empower those involved, and ultimately strengthen our community.
Sarah has an education in healthcare administration and is certified in restorative justice facilitation, mediation, and suicide first aid. With a love for introspection and growth, she continuously seeks opportunities to expand her interpersonal skills and knowledge of conflict resolution and communication.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys baking, dancing, and exploring new places with her Australian cattle dog, Gustopher.
Kon Damas, Resolution Specialist (he/him)
Kon Damas is a mediator, facilitator, trainer and coach who managed the Community Mediation Service (CMS) of the City of Boulder, CO for more than twenty years. CMS used volunteer mediators to resolve issues including rental housing, neighbors, parent-teen, roommates, racial/cross cultural, and victim-offender. Kon retired from CMS in 2007 and is now keeping the saw sharp by mediating and training on a part time basis for Resolve in Medford while also coaching for private mediation trainers a few times a year.
Kon believes in continued learning and being outdoors whenever possible skiing, hiking, or bicycling. Other passions include: reading, concerts, travel and spending time with passionate interesting people.
Jennifer Longshore, Resolution Specialist (she/her)
Jennifer Longshore (she/her) joined Resolve as a mediator in 2022. Her varied experiences as an instructor at Southern Oregon University for the past twenty-four years have helped to hone her skills in facilitation, compassionate listening, and intentional strategic planning. She has studied arts and creativity from a variety of perspectives including: globalization, activism, sustainability, race, and gender and is eager to facilitate conversations that are open to shifting viewpoints. Longshore holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno and a master’s degree from University of California, Davis.
In her free time, she enjoys salsa dancing, improv, and hiking with her husband.
Cheryl Edstrom, Center Operations (she/her)
Before coming to Resolve, Cheryl worked in a small, rural, public charter school with children who struggled with reading and math. As part of her professional development there, she completed a four-day training course in Restorative Justice provided by Resolve. This experience was life changing. She learned there was a framework for practically applying and sharing her heart felt values. When the time came to make a career shift, Cheryl remembered how much she loved the Restorative Justice Training provided by Resolve, and looked up its website. She joyfully applied for this position. She is grateful to be working with the thoughtful group of people who carry on the work of Resolve.
Cheryl lives with her husband, daughter and mother, as well as a dog, cat, chickens and fish in the woods near Hugo. She likes to camp, watercolor, read, do home improvement projects, and most of all, learn. She seeks to learn truth and wisdom from many different traditions and perspectives.
Board of Directors
Dave Carter, Board Chair – Professor, Southern Oregon University
Dave Carter is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Southern Oregon University. He has published works in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency in the area of life-course research, Criminal Justice Policy Review on the sex offender tier system, as well as evaluating U.S. inmate populations in Corrections Compendium. His most recent publication in The American Journal of Criminal Justice assessed differences in state versus federal crime statistics. Dr. Carter also provides consultation and evaluations for correctional programs in the area of effective interventions and evidence-based programming, and for law enforcement agencies in evaluating ethical longevity.
Debbie Vought, Vice Chair – Non-Profit Leadership
Former educator, co-founder and executive director of Citizens for Safe Schools, Debbie is an energetic and passionate leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. She has over 20 years of experience raising millions of dollars to support education, youth, and justice related non-profit work in the southern Oregon region. As a leader and advocate, her work strives to ensure that the people, programs and policies affecting children, youth, and citizens in Oregon are rooted in sound thinking, collaboration, ethical intentions, and fairness.
Mark Angle-Hobson, Secretary – Director of School Improvement Services SOESD
Mark Angle-Hobson, the son of a West Virginia coal miner, told his mom when he got off the bus after his first day of school that he was going to be a teacher when he grew up, an ambitious goal for someone who would become the first in his family to go to college. Mark followed his dream and graduated from Concord College (Athens, WV) with credentials to teach elementary/middle grades and music. His first teaching job, in Farmville, Virginia, was in the historic building that played a role in the Brown v Board of Education decision to integrate public schools and gave him the geographic opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, certification as a school administrator, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Virginia. Over the last 30 years Mark has worked as a middle school teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary school principal, district office administrator and superintendent. Currently, Mark is the Director of School Improvement Services for the Southern Oregon Education Service District supporting 13 school districts serving more than fifty thousand students across Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties.
Chad Heese, Finance Chair – Chief Lending Officer – Rogue Credit Union
Chad received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Washington State University. He is also a graduate of the CUES Certified Chief Executive program and has completed courses with M.I.T. in Innovation and through Hipereon’s School of Commercial Lending. Chad Joined Rogue Credit Union in June of 2016 as the Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, and then moved into the Chief Lending Officer position in April 2017. Chad oversees the credit union’s Lending departments, as well as Enterprise Analytics and Enterprise Risk Management. With over 21 years of experience and holding senior-level positions in Lending, Information Services, and Operations, he is a well-qualified (and well-rounded) member of Rogue’s Executive Team. Chad also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) within Jackson County, advocating for children as they become wards of the court. Chad also serves on an asset committee for the affordable housing organization NeighborWorks Umpqua.
Elizabeth Shelby – Retired Chief of Staff and Director of Governmental Relations, Southern Oregon University
Liz Shelby is retired from Southern Oregon University after 25 years of employment with the organization. Liz served as the Chief of Staff and director of Government Relations, representing SOU on the Oregon Public Universities’ Legislative Advisory Council. In her earlier career with SOU, she was the director of the SOU School of Business Small Business Development Center. Liz holds an MBA from SOU. She also serves on the boards of Rogue Credit Union and the JPR Foundation.
Lance Reyes – Employee Benefit Consultant, Propel Insurance
As a former Senior Business Development Executive for Oregon’s largest health insurer, Lance worked with Senior Leaders for large employers in both private and public sectors. As an Employee Benefits Consultant with over 17 years of health insurance experience, Lance has gained experience covering the entire spectrum of health insurance and has a comprehensive understanding of employee benefits and related concepts and challenges. Lance adds, “My time with Resolve is particularly rewarding and exciting as the organization continues to undergo tremendous change and growth.”
Sarah Robbins, Attorney
I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. Ever since I could talk, my favorite word was WHY???? My mom told me that there was a time that she would run out of answers and explaining WHY that she directed me to research the answer through the encyclopedia. As a kid, I loved to read and I LOVED reading the encyclopedia. The characteristic of always wanted to know WHY has never left. It led me to law school where I would ask the question about why were these laws created? Why was this defendant treated differently than that defendant? WHY and WHAT does the 6th amendment truly mean? I was and truly am passionate about the LAW and JUSTICE. I also knew in high school that I wanted to work with children. I wanted to make this world a better place.
Now, fast forward 14 years after graduating from law school: I practice juvenile law at the Southern Oregon Public Defender’s office and I love it. I represent youth who commit law violations and I also represent parties dealing with Child Welfare. I represent parties involving child abuse and neglect. I am a witness to how people can change. I have witnessed several of my clients access services to become sober, stable and safe to parent their children.
Erin Green, School Improvement Specialist SOESD
Erin is a Program Manager for Golden Rule Re-Entry, a trauma-informed organization that assists the formerly incarcerated through community service, kinship, and programs that focus on personal & professional growth. Erin serves on the Teen Parent Advisory Council (SOELS), Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC), Southern Oregon Success: Parent Supports & Life-Skills Committee, and volunteers as a Community Engagement Outreach Coordinator for the Community Health Assessment. Erin received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Southern Oregon University in 2011 and will earn a School Mental & Behavioral Health Micro-Credential by Spring 2023. Before she joined Golden Rule Re-Entry, Erin worked as a Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator for the Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon, and spent over a decade teaching, facilitating restorative justice circles, serving as the Director of School Culture, and working to cultivate a culture of belonging in classrooms & staff rooms. In 2022, she presented on ‘Restorative Practices in the Classroom’ at the National CPM Conference. Erin was recently named the 2023 Teacher of the Year for Southern Oregon and one of four finalists for the entire state. Her core values are curiosity, integrity, kaizen, and compassion.
Mandy Hurley – Commercial Loan Officer, People’s Bank of Commerce
Mandy has 9 years of experience in finance, mortgage and banking, and is currently a Commercial Loan Officer. She is an active volunteer within the community and enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.