Congratulations to the 2025 Randy Jones Toll Restorative Justice Fellows

Sarah Cockey

Sarah’s passion for conflict resolution is deeply rooted in her experiences with international exchange and citizen diplomacy. Having participated in exchange programs in Panama and Egypt, she has seen firsthand how dialogue and cultural understanding can bridge divides and foster peace.

Fluent in Spanish and Egyptian Arabic, Sarah holds an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Studies from American University and a B.S. in International Affairs and Political Science from Florida State University. She has worked several non-profit organizations, including roles in program management, dialogue facilitation, interpretation, and language instruction. She is trained in Eastern Mennonite University’s STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) program and is a certified mediator through the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County.

Currently, Sarah serves as the Program Director for the Professional Fellows Program at Legacy International, where she supports global leaders from the U.S. and the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region in fostering cross-cultural collaboration. Originally from Spokane, Washington, she enjoys dance, reading, and playing the piano in her free time. She looks forward to deepening her engagement with restorative justice through this program.serve on NVMS’ roster is required. 

Nancy Nunez Medina

Nancy Medina is a dedicated community leader and advocate for underrepresented communities, with a strong background in conflict resolution, mediation, and community engagement. Originally from Mexico, she immigrated to the United States at a young age and has since become a proud U.S. citizen. She currently serves as a Center Lead Teacher at the Hybla Valley Community Center, where she supports the surrounding communities and connects them to essential resources.

Her work also includes organizing impactful events such as community wide heritage month celebrations featuring international representatives, as well as outreach events with local community and faith-based organizations. Nancy has experience in leading organizations like the Mt Vernon High School Parental Education Program, which teaches English to Hispanic parents, and she is passionate about fostering education and empowerment within her community.

In addition to her leadership roles, she has a strong interest in restorative justice and mediation, drawing on her high school experience in peer mediation. Her dedication to inclusivity and community development is evident in her tireless advocacy and hands-on approach to making a difference.

Maura Mullaney

Maura graduated from Bucknell University in January of 2023 with a degree in Sociology. She joined Aspire! Afterschool Learning as an AmeriCorps member in February of 2023 and served two 300-hour terms. Prior to her service with Aspire, Maura completed a ten-week internship at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs, studied abroad in France and Morocco, and worked as a counselor for a French immersion day camp. She currently serves as Program Coordinator at Aspire’s Randolph Elementary School location. 

Debra Owens

Debra Owens is a graduate of Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Utah State University and currently a master’s student at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. She began her career on Capitol Hill as an intern in Washington, D.C. where she gained firsthand experience in policymaking and government operations and subsequently served in the Executive Office of the President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. 

Debra’s passion for travel and meeting new people led her to a study abroad program in Europe, which focused on the psychology of living spaces.  Since coming to Northern Virginia, Debra has been an active member of the community as a girls’ softball coach and commissioner, basketball coach, and PTA Spiritwear Chair.  

Those outreach roles naturally branched her even further into the community where she found herself loving a new world of aqua fitness through the Fairfax County Park Authority. She does enjoy instruction, but treasures promoting water safety among young children through The Get Set to Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program. She received the Healthy Lifestyle Champion Trailblazer Award which sparked her continued interest in community engagement. Ultimately, it is that commitment to the work towards the promulgation of peace, active listening skills, and conflict situations that keeps her looking forward to continuing learning in this specific environment; she completed training in Basic Mediation and Conflict Coaching Supreme Court of VA Certified via County of Fairfax.  

Santos Polanco

Santos Polanco is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant (CSAC-A) with expertise in assessments, case management, and substance abuse group facilitation. Based in Virginia, he is dedicated to supporting Spanish-speaking communities, offering culturally competent counseling and advocacy.  

A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Northern Virginia Community College, Santos has worked at A Ross Addictions Counseling. His work extends to educational initiatives, with presentations at national conferences on addiction, mental health, and the opioid crisis.  

Beyond counseling, he has experience in Spanish-language advocacy. He has also volunteered with Arlington Public Schools, assisting immigrant students. Focused on mental health awareness and financial growth, Santos is pursuing certification as a professional translator to enhance language access for underserved communities. 

Anne Yasmine Rassam

Leveraging legal expertise and international law experience from conflict zones worldwide, Yasmine Rassam assesses risks, prevents conflicts, and promotes post-conflict stabilization. From Peace Corps service to corporate representation, teaching at Columbia University, and contributing to drafting the Iraq constitution for women’s rights, Yasmine’s background equips her to tackle global challenges.

Addressing issues such as the impact of climate change on natural resource governance, including connections to forced labor and human trafficking, as well as the implications of general artificial intelligence on national security and data privacy, remains a primary focus.

Recently, Yasmine achieved a significant milestone by earning a Master’s in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy & Roslyn Carter School for Peace & Conflict Resolution, specializing in Inclusive Conflict Engagement. Yasmine is grateful for the opportunities to make a difference globally.