Our Team
Anna Bellarosa
Mandatory Co-Parenting Seminar Coordinator; Training Administrator; Data Manager
Certified Mediator
Anna has been with the DRC since 2018. She took to mediation naturally and has assisted with dozens of DRC mediations and specialty mediation trainings. She enjoys putting her skills to use in our training programs.
Her areas of interest include Restorative Practices . Anna is a closet computer programmer and in her spare time enjoys reading, spending time with her teens playing board games and doing puzzles. (Pronouns: she/her)
Sandy Byrne
Bookkeeper
Certified Mediator
Sandy is one of the founding volunteer mediators of the DRC, and currently works part-time for the DRC as the Accountant and administrator of contract funds for Statewide DRC services. She is also involved in providing group facilitation, small claims and community mediation services for DRC clients, which includes giving trainings in Group Facilitation methods.
Her work and Doctoral studies involved leading and researching group behavior and programs within major organizations. She is a Kitsap County native and enjoys giving back to her community in a variety of volunteer efforts.
Kia Cooper
Technical Support
Kia joined the DRC in early 2022 as our lead technical support for online mediations. We are so grateful to have her on board! She is eager to try something new and gain experience with a technology that will likely serve her well in the future.
In her free time, Kia enjoys drawing and hanging out with family and friends.
Celeste Eayrs
Community Mediation Intake Specialist
Celeste joined the DRC staff in late 2023 as a Community Mediation Intake Specialist. Celeste has a background in case management and working with survivors of domestic violence. With a driven passion for helping others, Celeste intends on completing her degree in social work. In her spare time Celeste enjoys spending time with her family and attending live music events.
Taylor Eliason
Operations Manager
Taylor comes to the DRC excited to take on a new role in the organization. With a background in Criminal Justice at Seattle University she is community orientated and passionate about social change, continuous improvement, and efficient operations. In her spare time, she likes to horseback ride and explore the back trails with her family on their nature filled property.
Racheal Gager
Volunteer Engagement; Community Mediation Intake Specialist
Racheal joined the DRC staff in early 2022 as a Community Mediation Intake Specialist. Racheal comes to us with a background working with children, and as a CNA. Having two daughters herself, she is passionate about helping others, and intends to continue her education to become a family and youth counselor.
In her spare time Racheal enjoys baseball (Go Red Sox!), being outdoors, and enjoying marine wildlife that the Kitsap Peninsula has to offer, particularly whales!
Mary Hancock
Executive Director
Certified Mediator
Mary began working in the field of community mediation in 2003 and joined the staff of the Kitsap DRC in 2010. As a mediator, Mary specialized in parenting plans mediations.
Mary assisted with the development and implementation of the Foreclosure Mediation Program as an active member of the Legislative Committee for Resolution Washington, the Statewide coalition of Community Mediation Centers.
Mary remains active in the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) and The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). A former insurance industry professional, Mary has a BA in Organizational Leadership and an MA in Conflict Analysis and Engagement.
Cliff Higashi
Community Outreach Lead
Cliff has been a staff member with the DRC since 2015. Previously, Cliff spent 26 years with United Airlines, then shifted his focus to software sales and tech support.
Branching out to business banking, Cliff has worked with US Bank, Key Bank, and American Marine Bank. Cliff is recently retired from being a reserve Police Officer for the City of Port Orchard after fourteen years.
Kimberley Jacobson
Eviction Program Accountant
Kimberley joined the DRC in early 2021. She comes from a lengthy background in bookkeeping stretching back to 1988, working with a variety of organizations with an emphasis in assisted living homes and law firms.
In 2016, Kimberley moved from downtown Puyallup after 25 years to rural Key Peninsula, planning to slow the pace and do more adventuring! In her spare time, she enjoys her pets, nature, and hiking.
Danielle Miercort
Trainer (she/her)
Certified Mediator
Originally from Colorado, Danielle has been a volunteer mediator since 1997, specializing in family, victim-offender, parent/youth, peer, and foreclosure mediation, as well as group facilitation.
Danielle worked for several years at the Kitsap DRC as Volunteer Coordinator and has transitioned into the Training Department full time. Danielle has assisted with DRC trainings since 1998, including the 40-hour and Parent/Youth trainings. She is also a Board member of the Washington Mediation Association. She has three grown children and one granddaughter.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, downhill skiing, scuba diving, horseback riding, travel, and watching college basketball. Danielle currently resides in Edmonds, WA.
Sue Miglino
Multiparty Mediation & Restorative Practices Coordinator
Certified Mediator
Sue Ann began at DRC as a volunteer in 2007 and as an employee in 2008. Over time she has worked in different departments, always mediating, and with a focus on developing the Restorative Practices Dept.
Sue’s Restorative training began thirteen years ago with Eric Gilman’s Victim-Offender Training, then in Chicago at the Community Justice for Youth Institute and continued with the four-day International Institute of Restorative Practices Training.
Sue’s current specialties include facilitating Restorative Justice Circles, Re-entry Circles, Community Healing Circles and High Conflict Multi-Party cases.
Russy Minder
Youth Services Coordinator; Community Mediation Intake Specialist (she/her)
Certified Mediator
Russy Minder joined the staff of the DRC in June of 2021 as a case manager for the Community Mediation Intake Department. She is currently the Youth Services Coordinator, working alongside the Juvenile Dept and within local schools implementing Restorative Practices.
When not at work Russy enjoys spending time with her husband, four children and especially enjoys time spent with her granddaughter and grandson!
Sophie Morse
Training Coordinator (she/her)
Certified Mediator
Sophie has been the Training Coordinator at the DRC since 2012. As trainer and mentor mediator Sophie specializes in presenting on conflict resolution, conflict theory, and communication skills to a broad array of audiences.
Sophie comes from a prior career in outdoor education, is an ordained minister, and is active in the local community to promote equity in policy and practice.
In her spare time, Sophie can be found visiting her family in New England, participating in her local church, playing guitar, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Becca Pelzl
Small Claims Coordinator & Program Administrator; Foreclosure Mediation Case Manager
Coming to us from sunny San Diego, Becca has been with the DRC since mid-2022. She has a degree in Biology and has previously pursued careers in both human and veterinary medicine. She decided to switch fields and join DRC to further her passion of helping her community in new and creative ways.
In her free time Becca can be found running agility and nose-work with her dog Lily; or reading a good book on a sunny beach.
Bobbie Sue Wooden
Mediation and Mediator Practicum Supervisor (she/her)
Certified Mediator
Bobbie Sue has worked as staff at the DRC since 2013. She began as case manager for the Community Mediation Intake Department, and now supervises, assists, and trains staff for all mediation departments.
Gifted in her organizational and technical skills, Bobbie Sue has taken on additional roles and special projects with the organization over the years. Bobbie Sue has a master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
