Meet our Team

Mr. Carlos Alvarez is a speaker, researcher, and innovator in Right Brain Restorative Practices. With a graduate degree in Forensic Psychology specializing in sexual deviancy and an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice focused on juvenile offenders, Carlos has extensive expertise in the field. As the founder and trainer in Right Brain Restorative Practices, he is committed to transforming school discipline and culture. His work aims to address youth and community violence through innovative approaches. Carlos’s dedication to restorative justice practices has made him a leader in reshaping how schools and communities handle conflicts and behavioral challenges. His efforts have positively impacted countless schools, administrators, teachers, and students.

Ms. Adriana Alvarez is a U.S. Army Veteran, clinician, and researcher with a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, focusing on counseling treatment. Adriana's expertise spans both therapeutic practice and investigative research. As a Co-Founder of LAIRP, trainer, and facilitator with right-brain circles, she is dedicated to fostering personal and professional growth through creative and innovative restorative approaches. Her military background, combined with her clinical skills, allows her to offer a unique perspective on mental health and family dynamics, making her a compassionate, effective, and knowledgeable leader at LAIRP.

Ms. Candice Dagnino is a dedicated and dynamic school leader with a strong commitment to building equitable learning environments. With extensive experience leading public schools in large K-12 charter networks that serve underrepresented communities. Known for her ability to coach and facilitate adult learning, Candice focuses on developing high-functioning, mission-driven teams that work with compassion and dedication to the students they serve. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture, Candice is a true leader who helps staff grow professionally and supports the success of each student. Her leadership style is grounded in empathy, motivating teams to excel while keeping student well-being at the forefront.

Dr. Will Pulgarin brings over twenty years of experience in education, having worked in public, private, and charter school settings across diverse communities. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, vice principal, and principal at both middle and high school levels, gaining an understanding of student development, school leadership, and institutional needs. In these roles, he has led initiatives to improve school climate, strengthen instructional practices, and support the holistic growth of students. Recently, Will earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, where his research focused on the effectiveness of character education programs in schools and their impact on student behavior, engagement, and achievement. His scholarly work reflects a commitment to evidence-based practice and the integration of social-emotional learning within academic environments.

Janelle Naomi Rouse is an educator, trainer, and speaker, born and raised in Washington, DC. Her work as an education consultant is focused on decolonizing education, self empowerment for liberation, and critical thinking about the world. In New York, Janelle has taught in the classroom, supported teachers as a school administrator, and coach educators as an education consultant. She has had the opportunity to present at conferences to share pedagogical practices, academic research, and supports for neurodivergent students. Janelle has continued her work as an educator, a facilitator, and a life-long learner through consulting with schools to build culturally relevant learning environments that are supportive of youth developing a strong sense that allows them to actively participate in transforming the condition of their communities through the liberation of their minds and understanding of historical experiences.

Ms. Karina Vich's is a curriculum expert dedicated to the use of restorative practices to resolve conflicts, promote healing, and foster accountability in individuals and groups. Karina's approach draws from principles of social-emotional learning, humanistic psychology, and regulation theory, focusing on how these frameworks can guide individuals in processing emotions, developing empathy, and taking responsibility for their actions.At LAIRP, she contributes to creating safe environments where participants can explore their personal histories, cognitive barriers, and engage in meaningful conversations. Through her work, Karina helps individuals transform their trauma and grief into opportunities for growth and healing, ultimately contributing to the strengthening of communities through restorative approaches. Her commitment to restorative practices reflects LAIRP's mission to cultivate compassion and accountability in conflict resolution and personal healing.

Dr. Katerina Soulou is a researcher specializing in criminal law and restorative justice. She holds a PhD in Criminal Law from Aix-Marseille University (France), awarded the 2024 France-Americas Thesis Prize. Her dissertation explores the ethical, penological, and political foundations of restorative justice through a critical and comparative lens, focusing on France and Brazil. A former researcher at the French National Academy of Prison Administration (ÉNAP), Dr. Soulou is currently Head of Research and Development in Social Sciences at the Social Link Laboratory (Labo du lien), a Paris-based social economy enterprise promoting social cohesion. She collaborates with the Los Angeles Institute for Restorative Practices (LAIRP) on research in criminal justice, school community justice, and restorative practices. She is also the Scientific and Organizational Lead of the international conference Relations, Culture and Violence Interruption (June 1–4, 2027, Crete, Greece).

Leah is a Greek Cretan national who completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology at the University of Crete, where she developed a solid grounding in social theory and research. After working in the private sector and offering her support to young victims in a variety of settings, Leah pursued a Master in Research in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Manchester in order to deepen her methodological and analytical skills. She successfully completed her doctoral studies in Criminology at the University of Essex in 2022, focusing on the intersections between harm, justice, and social responses. Prior to her doctoral studies, Leah co-ordinated research projects on restorative justice and other topics related to criminology, gaining experience in interdisciplinary inquiry. During her doctoral research, she was involved in teaching as an Assistant Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology at both the University of Essex and Royal Holloway, University of London, contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in these fields.

Amber Diaz is a leader dedicated to fostering equitable, safe, and supportive learning environments. She coaches principals in refining and monitoring School Strategic Instructional Plans, creating systems to meet goals and analyze data on school culture, instruction, and operations. A proud Los Angeles native and first-generation college graduate, Amber advocates for every student’s right to a quality education that meets their needs.Before her current role, Amber co-founded a school in 2011, initially as Assistant Principal and later as Principal. Her vision was to create a space where all students feel respected, acknowledged, and supported in their holistic development.Amber excels in coaching leaders and staff, emphasizing the importance of knowing students to foster academic thriving. She is committed to building a collaborative community that promotes inclusivity, professional growth, and student well-being.