Malika strategically oversees all operations, activities, and events, ensuring alignment with MEND’s mission and vision. Malika brings a wealth of expertise to the conflict resolution table. She has a Master of Law and Diplomacy from Tuft's Fletcher School of Global Affairs in International Organizations, Global Governance, and International Legal Studies and a Master of Philosophy in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Trinity College Dublin Irish School of Ecumenics. Malika fosters peacebuilding dialogue, implements restorative justice, and advocates for human rights. She curates transformative workshops on crucial topics such as racial justice, belonging, and equity, all while offering invaluable consultancy on criminal justice reform. Malika's dedication to her field is not only evident but also impactful. She has written a restorative justice curriculum and has been in leadership in advisory councils. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized through prestigious accolades such as the James Haire Dissertation Award, a testament to her groundbreaking research in peacebuilding through cyberspace dialogue. Malika was a research assistant at The Fares Center For Eastern Mediterranean Studies. She gained hands-on experience within Clonard Monastery's Peace and Reconciliation Department in Belfast, Northern Ireland, further solidifying her impact in the field. Malika has an MA from Regent University in Practical Theology and has further enriched her knowledge through studies at Harvard Divinity School facilitated by the Fletcher School of Global Affairs.

Cece focuses on community organizing and teaching, fostering connections and building national and local capacity for MEND’s initiatives. Cece holds an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and a unique life perspective that fuels her daily commitment to combat racism and advocate for marginalized communities. Over the past two decades, Cece has cultivated partnerships with national organizations and prominent brands like Levi's and Tampax. Cece is a current fellow in The Obama Foundation's Leaders program. She has been at the forefront of dynamic grassroots movements and has utilized her powerful voice to address issues of equity and inequity. Her activism encompasses a wide range of causes, from the death penalty abolition to the advocacy for menstrual equity. Cece's work extends to grassroots efforts that create immediate impact and high-level forums where she influences policy changes, raises awareness, and promotes education. She also served in the historic Obama Administration under Ambassador Ron Kirk, the first African American U.S. Trade Representative. Notably, she is celebrated for her instrumental role in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign, which successfully halted the execution of Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021. Cece's dedication to justice and equity inspires change on local and national levels.

Jordan manages administration and practices of Restorative Justice Circles, leads grant procurement, facilitates circles, contributes to branding and social enterprise development. Jordan graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BBA in Accounting. For the first several years of her career, she worked in the business sector in both accounting and finance/treasury. Jordan made the decision to transition her career path to the non-profit space in 2021 where she has worked as a contractor on various projects across Oklahoma City. She brings strategy, clarity, empathy, and creative problem solving to her work. Jordan is also a Department of Corrections volunteer who has a passion to care for women in incarceration. In this next season, Jordan is deeply committed to addressing the abuse of power through expanding her learning on restorative justice and conflict resolution practices. Her mission is to focus on identifying injustices and developing approaches that bring transparency to root causes. She also desires to create spaces for the associated trauma to be dealt with in a holistic manner. Jordan is dedicated to foster more connection through trust building and proximity to the marginalized so we can share in a more equitable world.

Hillary’s focus is to help support the diversification of funding and sustainability of Mend. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing with minors in History and Religious Studies. Hillary had dedicated the last two decades of her professional life to serving others by seeking to empower and walk alongside vulnerable and marginalized communities in a number of roles, spanning the government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. Before moving over to Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, she served as the CEO of Palomar: Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center and has also held roles at Pivot, ReMerge, and Oklahoma Human Services. Hillary currently serves on the Advisory Board of Magdalene OKC and is learning to become a practitioner of restorative justice circles through Mend. She believes that people are the experts of their own lives, and that systems should aim to support people in achieving their goals, not predetermine the journey for them. Hillary believes in the power of community, and is always looking to learn from others and identify opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Amanda M. Kingston is a researcher, writer, and educator with interest in eco-justice, anti-racist, feminist, post-colonial, contemplative,  and peace work. She is a current Ph.D. candidate in Education at Syracuse University in Central New York. She holds a M.A. in Education from Oklahoma State University and is a former K-12 educator. She also holds a Mindful Outdoor Guide Certification from Kripalu. Hopefully right now she is outside hiking or on the water, but she is probably answering emails. 

Becky coordinates trips and handles communications, ensuring seamless planning and outreach for MEND. Becky graduated from Oklahoma State University, earning dual degrees in Spanish and Honors Applied Sociology/Social Services, with a minor in Religious Studies. In the early stages of her career, she dedicated herself to managing a program that linked young adults transitioning out of the foster care system with essential support networks in Oklahoma City. For several years, Becky served with the Bail Project in roles ranging from Client Advocate to Training Associate. Today, she channels her passion into nonprofit grant writing and project management, primarily focusing on advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, immigration reform, and restorative justice initiatives. Adding to her impressive academic journey, Becky is pursuing an MSc in Social Justice and Community Action through the University of Edinburgh. She resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she continues to make a significant impact in social justice and community advocacy.

Anna provides administrative support for the Peacemaker Cohort, facilitating operations and participant engagement. She holds a master’s degree in Globalization and Development from the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester and bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and Economic Development from Eastern University, in conjunction with the Templeton Honors College. Having traveled to nearly 50 countries, she has gained immense cross-cultural understanding that has significantly shaped her worldview and perspectives.  Anna has dedicated her career to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, working with nonprofit organizations and philanthropy advisors to serve the vulnerable and marginalized. Her career has spanned water, sanitation, and hygiene; global health; food and nutrition; women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment; and refugee resettlement. Throughout her career, she has witnessed the intersectionality of poverty, gender, and race and the power dynamics that shape global and local economic, social, and political systems. Understanding that these systems ultimately influence who is given the opportunity to flourish and who is exploited for the good of the few, she is committed to creating alternative systems and ways of being that serve the common good.