LAIRP 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, Candice is a proven leader who is skilled at driving meaningful change. Known for her ability to coach and facilitate adult learning, she 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 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. Passionate about equity, she is committed to ensuring every child has access to a quality education while building a school community rooted in care, respect, and excellence.

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.

Of Greek origin, Dr. Katerina Soulou moved to France in 2014 to pursue a Master’s in Criminal Sciences at Aix-Marseille University. Inspired by the introduction of restorative justice into French law, she began a PhD in 2015, focusing on its penological significance and legal implications. Throughout her PhD, she participated in several EU-funded projects on restorative justice and attended international events and training sessions related to the field. In 2018, she received a scholarship from the French Embassy in Brazil, allowing her to conduct comparative research between France and Brazil. In 2022, she defended her thesis, "The Restorative Response to Crime," at Aix-Marseille University. Today, Dr. Katerina serves as a lecturer-researcher at CIRAP and collaborates with the Los Angeles Institute for Restorative Practices (LAIRP) on criminal justice, school community justice, and restorative practices research. She is the VP of restorative justices programs in LAIRP's European wing.

Dr. Will Pulgarin brings over twenty years of experience in education, having worked in public, private, and charter schools. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, vice principal, and principal at both middle and high school levels, gaining a deep understanding of student and school needs. 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. His extensive experience, combined with his research expertise, positions him as a leader in fostering school environments that support both student development and academic excellence. Will is passionate about driving educational progress and continues to contribute through his leadership, research, and innovative approaches. His commitment to character education and school improvement makes him a key figure in the field of educational leadership and character development in youths.

Ms. Verenice Silva’s journey highlights her strong commitment to education and social justice. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chicano Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where her passion for community service began. Early in her career, she led an afterschool program for gang-affected youth, gaining firsthand experience with vulnerable populations.Motivated to address the challenges of juvenile offenders, Ms. Silva pursued a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. During her studies, she noticed a significant overlap between forensic and special education sectors, particularly the stigma around Special Education, which shifted her career focus.Ms. Silva then specialized in Special Education, supporting high-needs students in general education. This stigma led her to pursue a second Master’s Degree in School Psychology from CalStateLA to bridge gaps between educators, parents, and students.

Ms. Alexis Dennis, is an experienced and passionate Implementation Specialist at the Los Angeles Institute for Restorative Practices (LAIRP). Alexis brings a deep understanding of restorative justice and conflict resolution that augments the work she does with our partners. With a robust background in social work, psychology, and education, she excels in program development, training, program implementation, and school change. Alexis collaborates with schools, organizations, and communities to design and implement customized restorative programs aimed at fostering healing, accountability, and relationship-building. Known for her empathy, cultural competence, and leadership, she creates safe spaces for dialogue and resolution. Her dedication extends to advocacy, policy development, and coaching to ensure the consistent application of restorative practices, making her a key player in advancing community well-being and systemic change. Alexis is a highly dedicated educator!

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.

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.

Ilana is an audiovisual communicator from Universidad de Medellín with a passion for creative storytelling and strategic thinking. She specializes in content creation, digital marketing, and helping brands develop meaningful connections with diverse audiences. Her experience includes leading BTL (Below The Line) strategies, managing brand identities, and crafting engaging social media content across platforms. With expertise in SEO, art direction, and trend analysis, Ilana designs campaigns that capture attention and drive results. She is skilled at analyzing market trends and adapting content to meet the unique needs of different audiences, ensuring relevance and impact. Ilana is committed to innovation and thrives in collaborative environments. Her ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution makes her an effective communicator and a valuable asset to LAIRP. We are excited to have Ilana on join the LAIRP team.