Catherine has been working with communities to develop restorative justice programs for over 20 years. Her leadership and experience span working closely with government, nonprofits, educational institutions, Indigenous communities, victim services/anti-violence groups, and religious communities. Whether providing individualized coaching, leading a large-group dialogue, or managing an organizational change process, she is known for her comprehensive skill set, upbeat style, and genuine care for those she serves.
Catherine began her career in 1999 as a mediator, facilitator, and trainer in the nonprofit and education sectors. While training hundreds of students and professionals in restorative approaches, she helped implement restorative practices into policy and practice across the Langley School District in Langley, British Columbia, an experience which influences her approach to systems change to this day. Prior to co-founding Just Outcomes, Catherine served for nearly a decade as the Restorative Justice Coordinator within the Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division of the Government of British Columbia, Canada. To add to this mix, Catherine designed and co-facilitated arts-based dialogue programs among youth involved in international political conflict through her volunteer work with the organization Peace it Together. She has been involved in justice and peacebuilding work as a learner, trainer, or presenter around the world including Switzerland, Israel/Palestine, and Colombia.
Drawing on her wealth of experience, Catherine has written and co-authored several widely-read resources and curricula on restorative justice, including Educating for Peacebuilding: Implementing Restorative Justice Principles and Practices in a School System (2010). Catherine holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding in Virginia (USA), and in 2019 was honored with British Columbia’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award.
Catherine is a cyclist, yogi, and both a dance and karaoke enthusiast. She lives with her husband and daughter in a lively cooperative housing complex.