He has conducted numerous trainings on restorative justice in schools, with a special emphasis on elementary and middle schools, and has conducted family group conference circles with a wide range of school situations.​
Valerie Slater , Board Member

Valerie Slater is a juvenile justice attorney who leads the RISE for Youth Organization and advocates for the rights of youth involved in the many Virginia systems. Valerie has also worked to protect the rights of children with disabilities in community, residential and juvenile justice facilities throughout the Commonwealth. She earned her undergraduate degree At Colorado State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law. Valerie has dedicated her life’s work to advocacy in its many forms to preserve and protect our most valuable resource, our youth.

Jeffrey Foreman, M.S., Board Member

I am a graduate of Liberty University with a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology. I also have
a Bachelors degree from James Madison University in Individualized Studies, where my concentration was in Psychology, Sociology, and Restorative Justice.  I hold a Certificate from Cornell University in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.  I joined Virginia Center for Restorative Justice in 2022, and have volunteered in various capacities.  Currently I volunteer in State Prisons in Virginia teaching How to Handle Conflict curriculum.

Trish Bowers, Board Member

Patricia (Trish) Bowes moved to Midlothian in 2010 from her hometown of Elkins, West Virginia, after retiring as a public-school teacher for over 30 years with an MA in Special Education/Gifted from WVU and five years as an adjunct college instructor.

She was also a part of the Russia-West Virginia foundation for many years and coordinated educational and cultural exchanges and workshops in WV, in addition to sharing educational methods and Conflict Resolution in Russia, Armenia, and India. She also gave workshops on Conflict Resolution for WV Governor’s Summer Academy and authored a CR program in two of her schools.

Trish volunteered for many years as a musician and assistant with the interdenominational Handicapped Encounter Christ retreats in three different states and assisted the disabled as a ski instructor for Challenged Athletes of West Virginia.

With a lifelong interest in the protection and rights of youth, Trish hopes to bring her accumulated skills and lifelong learning to the Richmond area public schools and community through VCRJ.

Trish is married to Edward Bowes and they have three daughters and one granddaughter between them. Trish and Ed enjoy playing and performing music together both in Virginia and in West Virginia.

Josh Bacon, Board Member

Josh Bacon served as an administrator for over twenty years at James Madison University, recently retiring in 2020 as their Dean of Students. Josh also served as a faculty member at the university and co-directed the College Student Personnel Administration Masters program. Shortly after retiring, he graduated from the Central
Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and served as a Campus Safety Officer at Bridgewater College.
Currently, Josh Bacon works part-time as a mentor for students at Eastern Mennonite University. He is a trainer with the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego and additionally consults with colleges about implementing restorative justice practices.
Josh Bacon recently published a book: I Screwed Up! Now What? Seven Practices to Make Things Right and Conquer Adversity. Josh has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a cognate in Law from Clemson University and a Master's in Education Administration from Salisbury University. Josh resides in Lacey Springs, Virginia, with his wife and three daughters.

Kathryn Wiley, Board Member

Dr. Kathryn E. Wiley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education at Howard University. She is an expert in school discipline, climate, and safety, with a focus on race and educational opportunity. Her work has appeared in Educational Administration Quarterly, Race Ethnicity and Education, The Urban Review, EdWeek, and Chalkbeat, among others. An avid public scholar, she is passionate about supporting education leaders, advocates, organizers, and lawmakers in equity-oriented change for racial and social justice in schools and districts. She has worked with federal and state policy coalitions and community organizers to advance changes in school discipline, climate, and safety with a focus on anti-racism and social justice.

Advisory Board

Dr. Daniel G. Bagby, has served as the Minister of Pastoral Care at River Road Church, Baptist since 2011. He and his wife Janet have been members of River Road since 1995.

  At the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond he holds the title of Theodore F. Adams Emeritus Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

His education includes undergraduate work in psychology, religion and English; a master's degree in psychology; a M.Div.; and a Ph.D. in marriage & family counseling. Dan has pastored and been a chaplain for over 25 years. 

Judith Tolleson Clarke, MA,  is the Founder and Director Emeritus of Virginia Center for Restorative Justice.  She earned an MA in Conflict Transformation with a concentration in Restorative Justice at Eastern Mennonite University and founded VCRJ in 2010.  She created the Family Group Conference program and the How to Handle Conflict curriculum, which has been provided to thousands of youth and incarcerated people in Virginia.