Meet the team
We are a small charity with national reach. Our passionate team of staff are dedicated to improving access to Restorative Justice for people affected by crime.
Sara Dowling
Sara is our CEO. She has over 30 years experience working in the charity sector and has a strong background in charity leadership, organisational development and income generation. She is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of Why me?. Working closely with the Board, Sara will support the development of our long term strategy and ensure Why me? is a sustainable and well run organisation.
Before joining Why me? Sara was Deputy CEO of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, an organisation that supports victims of road crime. It was through this work that Sara observed first hand the failures of our Criminal Justice System to support victims, deliver meaningful justice and prevent suffering. Sara is passionate about the possibilities of Restorative Justice to transform lives.
Keeva Baxter
Keeva Baxter is our Communications and Campaigns Manager. She uses a variety of platforms, from social media, to our weekly newsletter, podcasts, videos, billboards and the website to promote access to Restorative Justice and the work of Why me?. She also looks after our group of Ambassadors, who have lived-experience of Restorative Justice after crime. Keeva manages Why me?’s events and forums, bringing together the Restorative Justice community to discuss key issues in the field. She is also currently leading our Damage and Repair project, which is archiving stories of Restorative Justice over 20 years and our project on the use of Restorative Justice for Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Keeva graduated from Sussex University with a degree in Law and went on to study a Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Masters degree. Through her studies she learnt about the power of Restorative Justice for people affected by crime and the importance of empathy and dialogue.
Mark Hamill
Mark is our Restorative Justice Trainer and Service Coordinator. For the last eight years, Mark was an RJ worker with Cheshire Youth Justice Service. Prior to this, he worked in education, firstly as a teacher and then as a teacher educator, trainer and consultant. In all of these roles, he sought to resolve conflict through restorative practices. Born and raised in the North of Ireland, Mark is only too aware that the world needs more people and organisations dedicated to the cause of peace and reconciliation.
Mark is a father to three grown-up children and, last year, became a grandfather to two adorable babies. In addition to his wife and family, he also loves the 3 Rs – running, the Robins (Altrincham Football Club) and Radiohead.
Cheryl Jacob
Cheryl is our Team Administrator, supporting the IT, HR and financial processes of the charity, helping with event and training administration and providing general office support to the Why me? team.
After graduating, she worked in conference logistics and as Fundraising Manager for the charity UK Youth, before establishing her own events and hospitality venue. There, she was responsible for all the day-to-day multi-tasking and administration involved in running a small business for over 15 years and qualified as an AAT accounting technician to help her to take on the challenges. She was drawn to the Restorative Justice sector after learning of the remarkable ability of the process to aid healing, reduce reoffending and transform lives.
If you are interested in joining the Why me? team, check for vacancies on the Get Involved page.
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