Meet Our Staff
Ellen Wicklum, Executive Director
Ellen joined the Valley Court Diversion Programs team with a quirky professional background: she served in the Canadian Armed Forces, edited academic books, and managed cases for a social services agency before finding her calling in the restorative justice world. Ellen grew up in Canada and lived in England for a number of years, where she earned her Ph.D. at the London School of Economics. She moved to the United States in 1995. In her free time, Ellen gardens (she is a Master Gardener apprentice), reads, and curls.
Email: ellen@vcdp.org
Lyndsay Porreca, Assistant Director, Sullivan County Program Coordinator & Victim Liaison
Lyndsay has worked at VCDP since 2013. She graduated in 2009 with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Victimology. Lyndsay appreciates the ability to work in a system outside of the traditional criminal justice system where the goal is to reduce recidivism and repair harms. She truly enjoys working with our community volunteers as well, who facilitate a majority of our restorative processes. Lyndsay’s interests include kayaking and painting.
Email: lyndsay@vcdp.org
Erin Keefe, Juvenile Court Diversion Program Coordinator
Erin has been with VCDP since 2016. After graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Erin went on to work for Easterseals, Vermont’s Department of Children and Families, and was a Director of a child care center. Erin enjoys working in the restorative field because it is an individualized process that offers support where people need it. She feels that she can address repairing the harm, rather than focusing on the punishment, which feels like true success. Erin enjoys drawing, yoga, and is kept very busy with her very adventurous toddler!
Email: erin@vcdp.org
Susan Sam-Mensah, Windsor County Adult Court Diversion, YSASP Coordinator
Susan joined us in the fall of 2020 after completing her Master’s Degree in Restorative Justice at Vermont Law School. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science. Susan appreciates that Restorative Justice is a stark contrast to the legal system. She likes that people are given the opportunity to reflect and repair harm. Outside of VCDP Susan enjoys being creative and cooking.
Email: susan@vcdp.org
Scott Hunt, Balanced and Restorative Justice Program Coordinator
Scott grew up in the Hanover area and has lived in the area his whole life. He joined the law enforcement community after high school, working for 26 years in Hanover, Lebanon, and Newport, NH. For most of his law enforcement career he worked with young people and in their schools. Scott’s belief system aligns with restorative justice practices and he is looking forward to making an impact on the lives of young people in his current role. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and biking.
Email: scott@vcdp.org
Mary Langille, Driving License Suspended Coordinator
Mary joined VCDP after graduating in 2019 from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She enjoys working in restorative justice because she is able to witness the first-hand positive impact that this type of intervention has on the community. Mary appreciates that restorative justice offers opportunities to make lasting, positive impacts on our clients’ lives. Outside of work, Mary is an avid hockey fan and player and has just started skiing!
Email: mary@vcdp.org
Doug Hayden, Tamarack and Pretrial Services Coordinator
Doug joined our team in 2020. He retired in 2018 after a 30-year career of working in Corrections and Probation and Parole. Doug really enjoys guiding and assisting people in making positive changes in their life. Outside of VCDP, Doug likes spending time with his family and training Beagles.
Email: doug@vcdp.org