Margaret Murray is the IIRP's founding librarian. She has been a public-service academic librarian for more than a decade, specializing in reference and instruction. Previously, she worked in fundraising for a variety of nonprofit organizations across the country, including colleges, universities and public television stations. In addition to an M.S. in library and information systems, Margaret holds an M.A. in English literature and is an aspiring mystery writer.

Carolyn Olivett, a founding IIRP faculty member, has 25 years of experience working with schools, universities and agencies in the fields of counseling and education. She taught graduate courses in facilitating restorative conferences and implementing restorative practices at Eastern Mennonite University's Master of Arts in Education Program, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Undergraduate teaching includes courses at Elizabethtown College, in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. She has provided professional postsecondary training through the National Conflict Transformation Institute, Manchester College, in North Manchester, Indiana. Early in her career, Carolyn was the coordinator of the Community Service Foundation/Buxmont Academy school in Trevose, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Frida Rundell, a founding IIRP faculty member, has 40 years of experience as a teacher, special needs teacher, educational psychologist, marital and family therapist and community outreach coordinator. Coming from South Africa, Frida brings a cross-cultural perspective to restorative processes and practices. During the transformation process in South Africa, Frida initiated and developed an undergraduate program for child and youth care professionals. Postgraduate teaching experience includes work in the field of restorative psychology and education with paramedics, radiographers, nurses, chiropractors, homeopaths, teachers, counselors and psychologists. She is committed to transforming social science thinking to engage with restorative practices and processes.

Dr. Alia Sheety arrived from Israel with 15 years of experience teaching pupils of all ages, including being a principal of a high school for the last eight years. She taught educational psychology in higher education and conducted evaluation reports for various projects. Alia believes that through education we can build a better world. That’s why she took part in several coexistence projects involving both Arab and Jewish Israelis and was part of the “Israel-Palestine Peace Partners” grant, supported by the U.S. State Department, in which Palestinians, Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Arab school counselors were trained in the use of mediation and conflict resolution by a team from Fairfax County, Virginia. Alia hopes to be able to contribute to the development of the theoretical field of restorative practices and to promote a range of educational and social aspects that will contribute to a peaceful world.

Dr. Tom Simek, a founding IIRP faculty member, received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in special education and a C.A.S. in administration and supervision from the State University College at Buffalo, New York. He earned his Ed.D. from Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tom was a learning and adjustment teacher and then a principal of a residential treatment center school for severely emotionally disturbed boys in Buffalo. He came to Pennsylvania as a supervisor of special education for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. Tom helped establish the special education program at Community Service Foundation/Buxmont Academy and continues as supervisor of special education. Through the IIRP, Tom wishes to disseminate the numerous positive benefits of restorative practices.

Dr. Carol A. Thomas earned a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she also received a master's degree in school counseling. Carol completed her undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in natural science. She is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania and a nationally certified counselor. Carol has over 10 years of experience working with adolescents on concerns related to anxiety, anger management, drug and alcohol use, eating disorders, mental health disorders and family disruptions. Carol has taught graduate courses in school counseling at Duquesne University since 2003. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counseling Association and the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association.

Dr. Braithwaite is a renowned criminologist and leader in the restorative justice movement. He has been the recipient of many honors, including the 2006 Stockholm Prize in Criminology, and has authored several influential books, including Crime, Shame and Reintegration (1989) and Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation (2002).