Molly - Board Secretary

Molly believes in restorative justice and has an interest in forensic psychology. She is curious about why humans commit harm – both toward themselves and others. She joined Oregon Prison Project with the desire to sharpen her professional skills as a mental health practitioner by understanding offender pathology. But the experience of volunteering has been far more transformative than she anticipated. Incarcerated folk test the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) on high-stakes interactions – and bring the results back to workshop with the group. Molly discovered that her presence in this atmosphere helped her integrate her use of NVC into her personal life. The friendships Molly forged with other volunteers held her steady through seasons of turbulence and rooted her in community.

Molly discovered Nonviolent Communication in 2006 in family counseling. She studied NVC rigorously for several years and then fell out of practice. She renewed her commitment to the practice in 2024 after observing the negative impact of her habitual communication. She is now a CNVC-certification candidate studying under the mentorship of Sandra Amiry and Rodger Sorrow. She teaches Nonviolent Communication classes in Salem with Willamette Valley NVC.  

Molly holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a Minor in Writing and is pursuing a Master of Social Work. She works in the public sector as a mental health advocate for houseless clients. She enjoys listening to Jane Austen books while walking in the rain.