OUR TEAM
Executive Director

Joel Friesz
Joel was introduced to the field of restorative justice in 2005 and for 13 years led a team of restorative justice facilitators and juvenile justice professionals at a statewide non-profit agency in North Dakota. During those years, Joel and his team worked extensively with communities across North Dakota and region to implement restorative practices into K-12 education, the juvenile justice system, and adult corrections. Joel provides training and coaching on implicit bias, bullying prevention, adverse childhood experiences, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and sexual assault and domestic violence prevention. Joel is a nationally certified Green Dot Bystander Intervention Community Instructor and served for three years as a Facilitator of Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy for North Dakota State University. For the past 10 years Joel has been involved with efforts to address disproportionate minority contact (DMC) in North Dakota justice systems and completed the Reducing Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Certificate Program at Georgetown University in 2016. Joel serves on several local and state committees including the North Dakota Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, and is an active Associate Member of the Sisters of the Presentation since 2020. Joel received his bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND) and holds a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). A lifelong North Dakotan, Joel has resided in Fargo for over 25 years.
Conference & Events Director

Lucinda Cross
Lucinda Cross is a dynamic leader in women’s empowerment and transformational leadership. She is a proud 2025 Nasdaq Milestone Maker Alumna and a Forbes Next 1000 honoree. Lucinda has served as Verizon’s Small Business Comeback Coach and currently holds board positions with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office for Felony Youth Diversion and the Youth and Family Council for The Center for Youth Justice within Georgetown University. Her commitment to creating pathways for change has earned her the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.
Lucinda is an award-winning conference and events producer with over a decade of experience, holding a degree in Business and Organizational Management. Lucinda is at the forefront of women’s leadership, youth advocacy, and transformative justice for women and girls. Her voice and expertise have been featured on major media platforms including CNN, The Today Show, BET, ABC, NBC, Black Enterprise, and Essence Magazine.BC, NBC, and Essence Magazine.
Lucinda is also a sought-after speaker and leadership trainer, having partnered with organizations such as The Fortune Society, Osborne Association, Dream.org, Women’s Prison Association, NIKE, Prudential, Delta Air Lines, and Essence Communications. In addition, Lucinda co-convenes national initiatives for system-impacted women and girls, mobilizes changemakers, and advocates for equitable access to education, entrepreneurship, and reform.
Program Coordinator

Amanda Mitchell
Amanda Mitchell is a proud member of the Gila River Indian Community (Akimel O’odham, “River People”) and a descendant of the Omaha Nation. She resides in Vah-Ki Village on her ancestral lands in Bapchule, Arizona. Amanda brings both lived experience and formal education to her work. She holds dual master’s degrees from Arizona State University—one in American Indian Studies with a focus on Tribal Leadership & Governance, and the other in Public Administration. Her academic background, combined with her lifelong commitment to protecting Tribal sovereignty, advancing restorative justice, and fostering collective care, guides her approach to strengthening relationships, building capacity, and supporting community-driven change. Amanda currently serves as Program Coordinator at NACRJ, where she has supported national programming and member engagement since 2023.