Alley McDonald

I first began my journey at the University of Waterloo, with a joint major in Peace and Conflict Studies and Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies, and a minor in Women's Studies. Through this education, I learned effective ways to communicate and hold space in relationships with family, friends, and those in our community. I resonated so deeply with this work that I continued on in all the training I could to become a mediator (e.g., Conflict Management and Mediation Certificate at Conrad Grebel and Family Mediation Certificate from York University). In my training, I developed an understanding of the values I held as a peace practitioner and the approaches that I wanted to engage with in my life work. Completing my internship in Elder Mediation Services and volunteering as a mediator in many different areas of mediation services at CJI, I joined an organization that represents my values and mission in approaching conflict through restorative justice, conflict transformation, and trauma-informed and culturally-responsive lenses. On my own time, I love to explore and cultivate knowledge in mycology, of flora and fauna, and developing a deeper connection to the natural world.