Fr. Daniel Griffith
Founding Director
Fr. Griffith serves as the Wenger Family Faculty Fellow of Law. He teaches Catholic Thought, Law and Policy; Jurisprudence; and Restorative Justice, Law and Healing.
Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
"This work is a powerful example of the law school's mission in action" combining legal expertise with empathy, concern for the whole person, and the transformative power of human connection," University President Robert Vischer said. "Leadership in the restorative justice movement is a natural outgrowth of our commitment to advance the common good."
The Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing is led by Father Daniel Griffith, the law school's Wenger Family Faculty Fellow. It was founded by Griffith, Julie Craven, Hank Shea, and Amy Levad who have extensive experience with restorative justice in a variety of settings - from victims of abuse to veterans. They have seen the power of a restorative approach to addressing harm and want to expand the conversation to include the ways restorative practices can be used to help repair people, relationships, and communities.
Meet Our Leadership
Meet Fr. Daniel Griffith
Julie Craven
Associate Director
Julie Craven is a former corporate executive. In addition to the IRJH, she supports the restorative justice work in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Hank Shea
Fellow
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Shea is a law professor and a fellow in the Holloran Center. He also teaches at the University of Arizona College of Law.
Amy Levad
Fellow
Amy Levad is a professor of theology at St. Thomas. Her work draws upon sacramental and liturgical ethics to argue for social justice and criminal justice reform.
Kimberly Vrudny
Fellow
Kimberly Vrudny is professor of systematic theology at the University of St. Thomas. She has been on faculty since 2001 and teaches in the areas of theological aesthetics, theology and the arts, and political theology.
Meet Our Advisory Board
In addition to the leadership team, an advisory board made up of a diverse group of individuals experienced and knowledgeable in restorative justice advises the IRJH on its strategic direction.
Fr. Christopher Collins, S.J.
Vice President for Mission
University of St. Thomas
Msgr. Chad Gion
Pastor
Sioux County Catholic Communities
Catholic Chaplain
North Dakota National Guard
Victoria Johnson
Retired Lawyer
Former Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Ombudsperson for Clergy Sex Abuse Victim-Survivors
Monique Maddox
Founding Principal, Macrame Technologies
Executive Board member, GU272 Descendants Association
Susan Mulheron
Chancellor for Canonical Affairs
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Mary Novak
Executive Director
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Stephen Pope
Professor of Theology
Boston College
Jim Richter, M.D.
Victim/Survivor
Amy Uelmen
Lecturer, Special Advisor to the Dean and Director for Mission & Ministry
Georgetown Law School
Sheryl Wilson
Director
Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution