Staff
Carolyn Thurston
Executive Director
Carolyn Thurston took her first mediation training—Victim Offender Mediation--in 2001, from Dr. James Roberts, professor of Law & Justice at Central Washington University (CWU). She went on to take Basic Mediation training in 2002 and Family Mediation in 2003—both from the DRC of Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Immediately finding a powerful draw and connection to the practice of Alternative Conflict Resolution (ACR), Carolyn has been studying, practicing, and teaching ACR, including mediation, ever since. In 2006, she joined the DRC’s training team, and soon afterwards, the DRC board of directors, serving as board chair between 2008 and 2012.
A long-time resident of Kittitas County, Carolyn worked and taught at CWU for over 25 years, for the first five years teaching English, and later primarily in roles supporting the academic success of first-gen, low-income, and historically underrepresented students, as well as students with disabilities.
During her tenure working at CWU, Carolyn also volunteered her time and energy to help colleagues, students, and faculty find more effective alternatives to formal and legal grievance and complaint processes. As such, she conducted workshops on Nonviolent Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Conflict Resolution for faculty, staff, and students, gave presentations and trainings, and taught Basic Mediation in the Law and Justice department for over 15 years.
Today, Carolyn is honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the DRC in the role of Executive Director, following in the footsteps of her mentors/teachers/colleagues/ and friends—Matt Fairbank and Sarah Augustine.
In her very spare time, Carolyn enjoys hiking with friends and her canine companion Kaylee, and traveling with her daughter Cassie, who resides in Portland, OR.
Julia James
Director of programs
Julia joined the staff in 2023. With a background in higher education, she brings a wide array of experience in training, program management, grant writing, marketing, events, and relationship building. At the DRC, Julia directs training, coordinates mediation volunteers and programs, and manages outreach and engagement.
In her spare time, Julia enjoys gardening, movie nights with family, and day trips to explore the beautiful PNW.
Sasha Blair
Office Manager
Sasha joined the DRC staff in 2023. She is an experienced bookkeeper with 10+ years in the small business world in Yakima. With a keen eye for detail, her responsibilities include overseeing the overall financial data, processing payroll, managing the day-to-day operations of the office, and preparing DRC grant billing and reports.
When she is not organizing financial transactions, Sasha enjoys spending time with her two boys, family, and Siberian husky. She is often in her outdoor garden, tending to indoor plants or on a road trip.
Lucy Urbina
Youth services coordinator
Lucy has been with the Dispute Resolution Center since summer 2010. She has more than 20 years of case management experience in job training and social service programs. She has lived in the Yakima Valley for most of her adult life. Lucy is a bilingual senior mediator, specializing in family, small claims, and VOM mediation.
Evelyn Heflen
kittitas county victim offender meeting coordinator and outreach worker
Evelyn has been with the DRC since 2004. She coordinates the DRC’s outreach work in Kittitas County, helping to inform the community and referring agencies about the DRC’s work. She also brings youthful offenders together to meet with the people victimized by their crimes. Evelyn is a family, small-claims, and VOM mediator.
Dora Valdez
Intake Specialist
Originally from Texas, Dora made her way to the Pacific Northwest by way of the Caribbean, and she has discovered that the Pacific Northwest is an excellent location to sharpen her green thumb. She worked in the legal field for 15 years and in the Caribbean for 17 years. She is delighted to be working with the Dispute Resolution Center and looks forward to helping many clients reach a satisfactory resolution in their mediations.
Board of Directors
Lindsay Brown, president
Lindsay has lived in Yakima for much of her life. She currently serves as the Communications and Events Director and the Central Washington Home Builders Association. Since earning her undergraduate degree from Central Washington University in 2008 (Education), she has continued her formal education in both Communication (MA, 2018) and Organizational Management (MA, 2014). Her broad portfolio demonstrates her commitment to excellence and the ability to capitalize on opportunities and lean on her strengths.
In 2018, Lindsay established her own consulting business to build her experience in marketing and design projects. As a licensed skydiver and coach, Lindsay is enthusiastic about seeking adventure, traveling, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. She is an excellent communicator who is committed to creating a positive and lasting impact within her scope of influence.
Emily Schwab, secretary
Emily is originally from Salem, Oregon and earned an undergraduate degree in history from Oregon State University and her law degree from Seattle University. She is a family law attorney at Hazel & Schwab. In her free time she enjoys watching classic movies and spending time with family and friends.
Angela Bazan
Angela has a passion to serve her community and has worked with the valley's homeless youth for over 2 years. She loves to advocate for, serve, and mentor young people.
Angela has a undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management and a Masters in Organizational Leadership. She is the Program Manager for Rod's House Drop-in Center and the Host Homes Program.
Angela was born in Texas but has lived in Yakima for most of her life; she enjoys the Pacific Northwest. She is an avid animal lover, and her favorite activity is hanging out with her dog, Potato. On a typical day, you can find her enjoying a comedy on Netflix, at a local community event, or supporting a local restaurant.
Mary Pederson
Mary Pederson grew up near Selah. She received her BS in Home Economics Education in 1967 from the University of Washington. She obtained her Masters of Education/Counseling from Johns Hopkins in 1971 while her husband was stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. When Gary got out of the Army, they moved back to Seattle so her husband could finish his Ph.D. They then lived in different places before settling in Atlanta. Mary got her Ed.S. in School Counseling from Georgia State University in 1996. Mary became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2006 and a Registered Play Therapist in 2019. Mary worked as an Elementary School Counselor in Gwinnett Country, Georgia for 23 years. She also had a private counseling practice where she worked with children ages 2 to 18.
Mary and her husband, Gary, enjoyed moving back to Washington State in 2020, after living in Atlanta for 39 years. She and her husband have enjoyed revisiting friends and places in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. She enjoys learning about plants and flowers after buying a house with a blank back yard. She and Gary like to hike the hills surrounding Yakima. Having a grandbaby is the delight of her life. She finds excuses to go to DC to visit their daughter and family often. Mary and her husband will celebrate their 56 wedding anniversary in July.
Manuel Rodriguez
Manuel serves as Director of Early College Outreach and Campus Visits at Central Washington University and works with middle and high school students to develop leadership skills, as well as educate and prepare students to consider and pursue higher education. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law & Justice and in Foreign Language (Spanish) in 2005 from Central Washington University and a master’s degree from Heritage University in 2010 in Higher Education Administration.
Assisting students and families, specifically those of disadvantaged backgrounds such as himself, navigate and obtain a higher education continues to be a major component of his work and passion. While this work can be challenging, “it is highly necessary and also very rewarding.”
Having grown up in the lower Yakima Valley, Manuel’s efforts, personal and professional, of engaging and supporting local communities in Kittitas and Yakima Counties is a constant and important commitment.
Manuel also enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and attending sporting events.
Maricela Garcia
Maricela was born and raised in Toppenish, where her parents immigrated from Mexico and worked in agriculture. Witnessing the domestic violence between her parents, which eventually led to their divorce, Maricela's mother persevered, working hard as a single parent to become a US citizen and continuing her job as a machine operator at a warehouse. Maricela pursued her undergraduate degree in Information Technology & Administrative Management at Central Washington University. Today, she is an Epic Business Intelligence Analyst for a non-profit organization, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. She has worked for the organization for fifteen years.
Driven by her desire to give back to the healthcare community, which had been instrumental in her brother's diagnosis of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Maricela has dedicated her career to supporting those in need. Her life experiences have taught her the importance of peaceful resolutions, dialogue, and fostering strong, peaceful communities.
Outside of her professional life, Maricela enjoys watching her husband and sons play soccer, cherishing moments spent with family and friends, and exploring new hobbies, such as photography.