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
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
Brad Sargent, Sullivan County Case Manager
Brad is originally from the Lakes Region area of New Hampshire. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and is a U. S. Air Force veteran. Brad became interested in alternative criminal justice programs during his twenty-three-year career in law enforcement, as he came to view many criminal acts as a symptom of underlying issues. Looking at an individual as a whole and addressing these other factors improves outcomes and reduces recidivism. He is grateful to be part of the growth of court diversion programs in New Hampshire, and enjoys guiding the people he works with away from involvement with the traditional judicial system. Brad enjoys spending time with his family, hiking throughout New England, fishing, golf, and generally being outdoors.
Email: brad@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