The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), the world’s first accredited graduate school dedicated to the study and promotion of the field of restorative practices, welcomed a new member to its board of trustees with the appointment of Sethu Laxmi Nair. Sethu brings a depth of experience and knowledge around the practical use of restorative practices in conflict management and alternative dispute resolution.
Sethu serves as the director of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and restorative practices at the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution, an innovative public service group that offers a blend of conflict resolution, training, and systems design options within and across the New York City government. As a member of Hidden Water, Sethu facilitates restorative circles to help heal the impact of child sexual abuse in the family system. Through her private practice, she consults with nonprofit organizations and businesses, offering a unique blend of leadership coaching, mediation, and group conflict management. Sethu is also a mediation trainer in the understanding-based model, as taught by the Center for Understanding in Conflict.
Along with the addition of Sethu to our board, Dennis P. DePaul was unanimously elected as the chair of the board. Dennis is the executive director for Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a year-round nonprofit that supports children with cancer and their families. Previously, he served as Associate Dean in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Vermont. With more than 30 years of professional experience in higher education and nonprofit work, Dennis’s core experiences are in leadership, human resource development, and business operations.
The Honorable Mark A. Ingram has been elected as vice-chair for the IIRP Board of Trustees. Mark served as a magistrate judge in the state of Idaho for 21 years prior to his retirement in 2022. Early in his judicial career, Mark recognized that the standard court responses to criminal behavior, child welfare cases, domestic relations, and behavioral health issues were largely ineffective and did little to address the root causes of the social ills on display in his courtrooms. That recognition ultimately led him to the IIRP and restorative practices. Mark successfully advocated for IIRP-based training for probation officers, social workers, clinicians, and educators throughout Idaho. In retirement, Mark continues to advocate for restorative practices in his home state and to facilitate circles and conferences.
Mark Twomey, MPA has been elected as the treasurer for the IIRP Board of Trustees and will chair the IIRP's Finance & Audit Committee. Mark has worked in a wide range of roles in various industries and organizations over his working life. He spent extensive time at ANZ Bank Australia, with roles covering corporate and commercial finance, human resources, and strategic planning. At Youth Off The Streets, a not-for-profit organization, Mark provided support for young people through accommodation, outreach, and education. During his career, Mark led and managed finance, fundraising, human resources, and information technology teams. In his current role as the chief corporate services officer at Ability Options Limited, he applies his diverse experience as he oversees finance, property, and communications.
The IIRP Board of Trustees is composed of 13 volunteers from four countries, bringing together experience from education, law, public safety, civic engagement, and higher education.
IIRP President Dr. Linda Kligman remarked: “The IIRP is fortunate to attract professionals with decades of diverse and rich experience to our board of trustees. As volunteers, they push us forward, considering how best to serve our learners, expand our educational offerings, and commit ourselves to govern using principles of restorative practices. Supported by their insight, we are excited for what is ahead of us as a graduate school.”
