The Peacemaker Program, Inc.

 

 
  

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We are the top provider of Dispute Resolution and Advocacy Serves in the Mohawk Valley, with programs that use over 400 trained volunteers.

 

Peacemaker Staff

 

     Our dedicated staff help to coordinate the massive effort that makes our programs work.  You can meet some of them below!

     Our staff are broadly divided into three categories:

 All of our staff can be reached at 315-724-1718

  
 

Administrative Staff

 
  

Brenda Episcopo

Brenda Episcopo, Executive Director

Executive Director

Brenda has been involved with the agency since January 1996, when she started out as a college intern! She has held varying positions and has held the position of Executive Director since May 2003. She holds a Masters Degree in Applied Sociology. Her favorite parts of the job are writing successful grants, working with great volunteers and hearing the success stories of our clients! In addition to the Peacemaker Program, she is involved with many community initiatives, including: Leadership Mohawk Valley, Class of 2006; America’s Greatest Heart Run/Walk, Team Micky; Go Red For Women; Young Leaders United; The United Way of Greater Utica Campaign and others. On the state level, she participates on the Board of Directors of the New York State Dispute Resolution Association and two subcommittees of the New York State Unified Court System: Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee.

Extension: 102

brenda@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

Jackie Kelly

Jackie Kelly, Office Manager

Office Manager

Jackie Kelly has been involved with the agency since 2001. She has officially organized two moves for the agency, due to our continued growth. Jackie has many years of experience in book keeping, payroll and other related office procedures. In addition she enjoys golfing, get-togethers with her many friends and family and spending time in Aruba. She lives in Clayville and has two sons, Jesse and Joe, and a daughter Meghan.

Extension: 101

jackiek@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

Cat Manion

Cat Kurtelawicz, Administrative and Marketing Assistant

Administrative & Marketing Assistant

Cat joined the Peacemaker Program in April 2008. She is a West Utica native who now lives in Clinton. She graduated from Thomas R. Proctor Senior High School in 2003. She then went on to get a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Ithaca College, graduating in December 2006. Cat has background in newspaper, working for the Observer-Dispatch before landing at The Peacemaker Program. Cat a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department where she is an Emergency Medical Technician.

Extension: 109

cat@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  
 

Dispute Resolution Staff

 
  

Steve Robinson

Steve Robinson, Director of Dispute Resolution

Director of Dispute Resolution

Steve joined The Peacemaker Program in May 2007. Steve is a 20 year veteran of the United States Air Force, where he spent the majority of his career in various aspects of Law Enforcement, before being assigned as a Recruiting District Superintendent for the Hudson Valley Region of New York state. After retirement Steve spent 2 years in the corporate Human Resources area. Steve is very active in the community where he is a volunteer for the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Additionally, he is on the Publicity and Tourism Council for the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce. Steve lives in Rome, New York with his wife and son.

Extension: 104

steve@thepeacemakerprogram.org

 

  

Lisa DesGrosielliers

Lisa DesGrosielliers, ADR Assistant

ADR Assistant

Lisa joined The Peacemaker Program in January 2007.

Extension: 106

adr@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

Ronde Brown

Ronde Brown, Family Mediation Coordinator

Senior Family Services Coordinator

Ronde graduated from West Winfield Central School, now known as Mount Markham Central School, and is also a Phi Theta Kappa graduate in Paralegal Studies from Herkimer County Community College. She has been helping children, families and the community through mediation services since 1993. Between 1995-1996, Ronde co-established the Family Court Mediation Program with the Oneida County Family Courts while under the directorship of Robert Jewett of the late Justice Center of Oneida County. In 2001, she proudly continued being the Family Court Mediation Coordinator, as she became a member of the Peacemaker Staff. In her spare time, Ronde is actively involved as a devoted and proud mother of three adult children, two daughters and one son, and grandmother of three beloved grandchildren, two granddaughters and one grandson.

Extension: 105

ronde@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

Mark Leuthauser

Mark Leuthauser, Youth Services Coordinator

Youth Services Coordinator

Born in Auburn, New York but raised in West Utica, Mark attended Notre Dame High School, where he served as Company Chaplain in his NJROTC unit.  He also attended Mohawk Valley Community College, where he earned a degree in Human Services with a Counseling focus.  He brings nearly ten years of experience working with the Oneida County Department of Social Services, and has volunteered with children in venues from Agapé House to Sunday school.

In addition to being the Youth Services Coordinator, Mark also serves as The Peacemaker Program's webmaster.  He has presented an area-wide Landlord Training Program, and provides weekly programs at Donovan Middle School and at Proctor High School's Underground Cafe.  He currently resides in Yorkville with his wife, five-year-old son, and three-year-old daughter.  Mark enjoys long-standing periodic poker and pitch games with friends, and spends his remaining time repairing the computers of family and friends.

Extension: 113

mark@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

John Gilligan

John Gilligan, SDMC Program Coordinator

SDMC Program Coordinator

John has several years experience working with mentally/physically challenged individuals as well as a background in human resources. He is also very active in the local Irish community, and performs with the Celtic/Irish band "Cliudan." John loves his Boston terrier and jazz music.

Extension: 115

john@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  
 

Advocacy Staff

 
  

KT Montague

KT Montague, Director of Advocacy

Director of Advocacy

KT joined the Peacemaker Program in 2005 after having been an educational advocate for children with disabilities for seven years, and was appointed the Director of Advocacy in 2007.  KT has dedicated her life to empowering children and families. Her passion has always been to preserve the innocence of children and to make sure that they have a voice and that it is heard. Katie is a national trainer for CASA, and received the "Friend of the Child” award in 2008.  KT is an Advocate for children in every sense of the word,  in addition to having taught a parenting program for nine years and worked as a case manager for pregnant and parenting adolescents. She is currently a Karate Instructor at Bailey's Karate school in Herkimer. From 1998 to 2002 KT was the Commissioner of Recreation in the town of Schuyler where she wrote grants and held fundraisers to build a brand new playground for the children in the community. In her spare time KT enjoys laughing and hanging out with her friends and family, and has been know to burn up a dance floor or two.

Extension: 107

katie@thepeacemakerprogram.org

  

Jessica Finster

Jessica Finster, Child Custody Advocate Coordinator

Child Custody Advocate Coordinator

Jessica joined The Peacemaker Program staff in May of 2010. She has an associate’s degree in human services from Mohawk Valley Community College. She is currently studying early childhood education for her bachelor’s degree with a minor in psychology. In addition to working for the Peacemaker Program, she also works for the ARC of Oneida/Lewis as a residential counselor. Her short-term goal is to reach out to as many families to solve problems in order to help children lead a safe and stable life. Her long-term goals include assisting children and families with developmental disabilities lead a happy and healthy life, assist families in need of conflict resolution, and promote desirable outcomes for The Peacemaker Program. Jessica enjoys spending time with her loved ones and doing lots of shopping in order to relax.

Extension: 112

jessica@thepeacemakerprogram.org

   

Ashley Ritter

Ashley Ritter, Court Appointed Special Advocate Coordinator

Court Appointed Special Advocate  Coordinator

Ashley joined the staff in May 2009. Ashley is a graduate of SUNY IT and is attending SUNY Albany to obtain a master’s degree in social work. Ashley began as an intern with The Peacemaker Program before graduation. She is excited to be a member of The Peacemaker Program and is proud to be working as the CASA Program Coordinator.

Extension: 114

ashley@thepeacemakerprogram.org

 

   

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     The Mission of The Peacemaker Program, Inc. is to offer inclusive, innovative approaches to resolve conflict and achieve positive outcomes for children, families and the community.