YSASP & DLS COORDINATOR
Sarah Aines
Sarah (she/her) is our long-established employee, joining the team in 2010. She joined the team while in school as she needed a work study position for class. As time passed, she joined full time. Sarah works in the YSASP and DLS programs, along with Diversion. Through YSASP, she screens and supports teens relating to substance abuse. Through DLS, she assists clients with relicensing and payment plans. She has lived in Vermont all of her life. Sarah loves where she lives along with gardening, tending to her chickens, hiking, and anything that involves the outdoors. She uses experience to support clients and aims to spread happiness, be happy, and stay happy.
DIVERSION & REINTEGRATION COORDINATOR
Mia Baker
Mia (she/her) began working at the Rutland County Restorative Justice Center (RCRJC) in 2019. Prior to working at RCRJC, Mia was a case manager at a transitional home for women on Furlough. Mia plays a lot of roles in the organization such as the Diversion and Reintegration Coordinator and also works with adjudicated BARJ cases through family court. She graduated from Castleton University in 2014 and currently resides in Mount Holly. Mia enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, working on puzzles, and watching horror movies. Her goals are to focus on raising her children and to continue helping people turn their lives around.
OFFICE MANAGER
Joleen Durfee
Joleen (she/her) joined our office in October 2025 as Office Manager, bringing a blend of warmth, organization, and a genuine commitment to community connection. A long-time local resident, she’s grateful for the opportunity to support the neighborhoods where she grew up. Since entering the nonprofit sector in 2017—focused on providing essential supports to young families and children—she has developed a deep passion for Restorative Justice and its vital impact throughout Rutland County. Joleen is a dedicated advocate for Vermont residents and takes joy in welcoming visitors into our space. Outside the office, she can often be found writing or experimenting with new recipes at home.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maggie Ganguly
Maggie (she/her) came to us in 2022. She has worked in the non-profit field for 9 years, 8 of those being in the restorative or alternate justice system. She is currently on the board for Rutland County Pride and Rutland Young Professionals. She attended Green Mountain College and has obtained her bachelors in Anthropology and Sociology. Her goals at large are to create a culture of community care, where we take care of ourselves as much as our clients. Maggie has a deep passion for justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging and hopes to help shape a Rutland County for all. She currently resides in Rutland Town and enjoys kayaking, painting, volunteering, and spending time with family.
PRETRIAL SERVICES & TAMARACK COORDINATOR
Sam Thornton
Sam (she/her) began volunteering for RCRJC back in 2012. She eventually began working as the Pretrial Services Coordinator in 2019. She took a small hiatus to have her two children and is now back at it! Sam studied criminal justice and psychology during her undergraduate degree and obtained her master’s degree in forensic psychology from Arizona State University. Sam has always had a passion for helping people in all different realms. She appreciates how the restorative justice model gives an alternative framework to wrongdoing and involves all parties coming together to collaborate. When Sam isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her children, doing yoga, and finding little glimmers in her everyday life.
COSA COORDINATOR
Erin Knight
Erin (she/her) began working at the Rutland County Restorative Justice Center (RCRJC) as the COSA Coordinator in July 2025. Prior to working at RCRJC, Erin worked in alternative education as an English teacher. She believes strongly in community and connection, and she is looking forward to bringing her experiences as an educator to this new role. She graduated from the University of Vermont and currently resides in Rutland. When she’s not working, Erin can be found knitting, going for hikes, or spending time with her niece and nephew.
Justice and Belonging Coordinator
Will Notte
Will Notte (they/them)
BARJ COORDINATOR
Sam McPhail
Sam M. (she/her) began working at the Rutland County Restorative Justice Center (RCRJC) in 2022. Her prior experience includes working with harmed parties and several years working with college-age students. She graduated from Green Mountain College in 2009 and has lived in Rutland County for the past 20 years. Sam enjoys baking, spending time in nature, fabricating costumes for her local high-school theater program, everything Renaissance, and dark comedy. Sam has already raised one young human to their 18th birthday and is now focusing on raising a second teen through their high school graduation.
Program Director
Kaylee Rankin
Kaylee (she/her) joined the Rutland County Restorative Justice Center as Program Director in July 2026. A lifelong Rutland resident, she earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Vermont in 2020. Her experience includes supporting familied formed through adoption and guardianship, working in early childhood education, and spending five years alongside women navigating reentry after incarceration, substance use, and homelessness. Kaylee is passionate about restorative justice and building meaningful relationships through empathy, authenticity, and community-centered service. Outside of work, she enjoys paddleboarding, thrift shopping, attending live music, and volunteering, and is proud to serve the community she has always called home.
OFFICE KITTENS
Waffles and Cinnamon Toast
In June of 2024, with the help of The Feline Connection, our staff was fortunate enough to be matched with two wonderful kittens. Cinna is our chatty girl; she loves receiving attention from staff as well as looking over her brother. Waffles is our quiet guy; he enjoys curling up on laps and hiding in the hardest to find places. For their first few months with us, Cinna and Waffles went home with various staff members to help get them acclimated to different environments and social atmospheres. They bring an abundant amount of joy, energy, and of course cuteness, to the office. Stay tuned to see photos of these rascals as they grow into their roles as official office cats!