Who We Are

IJPC Staff Members

Bekky Baker, MSW

Program Manager, Death Penalty + Peace and Nonviolence

After spending ten years away, Bekky returned home to Cincinnati, where she was born and raised, a place she had to leave to truly love. Bekky graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and minors in Environmental Studies and Geography. Directly after college, she joined AmeriCorps and spent two years working in Appalachian Ohio creating local food access and fighting for food justice. She continued her work in Appalachia with Community Food Initiatives doing program expansion and community outreach work, as well as direct work with families in the foster care system. That work led her to South Carolina where she earned her Masters of Social Work and spent time with Save the Children Action Network, advocating and community organizing for early childhood education. After spending two years working as a school social worker in Price Hill, she has joined IJPC to be part of the effort to generate and mobilize change. In her free time, she is traveling to see her siblings, spending time with her husband and two cats, biking, gardening, and voraciously reading. 

 

Hayley Huge

Operations Manager 

As a lifelong Cincinnati resident and former IJPC intern, Hayley rejoined the team as Operations Manager in 2019. She graduated from Miami University with degrees in social justice and global politics, concentrating on community-based leadership and human rights. As a student, Hayley was involved in multiple social justice organizations that fueled her passion for intersectional feminism and grassroots organizing. She became particularly interested in examining the racial history of Cincinnati during her work at the Cincinnati Herald and her semester studying gentrification and displacement in Over-The-Rhine. Hayley also spent a semester in Kosovo, studying peacebuilding in the region and working with an NGO providing youth mental health resources. Her academic and personal experiences in social justice settings confirmed her dedication to the community work that IJPC does. Outside of work, Hayley participates in the Westwood Community Garden and enjoys playing Killer Queen at local arcades.

 

Naiomi Gonzalez

IJPC Louise Akers Fellow Through Mercy Volunteer Corps

Naiomi has a BA in Religious Studies from Moravian University, an M.Div. from Brite Divinity School, an MA in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from George Mason University, and an MA in History from Texas Christian University. During her time in academia, Naiomi studied and researched about the ways in which religious faith (specifically Christianity and Islam) has been used by some adherents to advocate for war and violence, and by others for nonviolence. The Sr. Louise Akers fellowship allows Naiomi to combine her passions for research, writing, and peace/nonviolence while enabling her to contribute towards a more just world. She is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to help develop a certificate in peace promotion. Outside of work Naiomi spends her time reading and writing about theology and social justice, greeting every single dog and cat that passes her by on the sidewalk, and visiting different local area churches.

 

Allison Reynolds-Berry, MSW

Executive Director

After graduating from Loyola University Chicago, Allison accompanied students and Salvadorans during her time with the Casa de la Solidaridad in El Salvador. There, she learned about the collective power of community and gained a love of the Spanish language. Allison received her Master of Social Work from Boston College and stayed in Boston to work as a community organizer doing domestic violence prevention work. After moving to Cincinnati, to be closer to family, Allison was thrilled to find a home with IJPC in 2014 as the organization continues to grow. During her tenure, the organization has responded to an increasingly volatile political climate, engaged in an 83 mile walk to stop executions, hosted many rallies for immigrant rights, and created the Rethinking Racism initiative. She spends her time outside of the office with her family, including her husband, two children, and chocolate lab. She enjoys gardening and letter writing.

 

Samantha Searls, MSW

Program Manager, Human Trafficking + Immigration

Samantha joined IJPC in 2017 after working as a community organizer on environmental, economic, and social justice issues both in Cincinnati and in St. Louis. Through this work she witnessed the power of many voices coming together to advocate for better public policy. Samantha received her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis after completing her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Indianapolis. As a macro practice social worker, Samantha has a passion for carving out spaces for people to find and use their voice to create change.

 

IJPC Founding Sponsors

Congregation of St. JosephSisters of Charity of CincinnatiSisters of MercySisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg.

IJPC Sponsors

Anawim Community, Bellarmine ChapelCincinnati Friends MeetingCincinnati Mennonite FellowshipComboni MissionariesCongregation of Divine ProvidenceDominican Sisters of HopeFranciscan Sisters of the PoorFranciscans, St. John the Baptist ProvinceGlenmary Home MissionersHyde Park Community United Methodist ChurchMount Auburn Presbyterian Church, New Jerusalem Community,  Sisters of Notre Dame of CovingtonSt. John Unitarian UniversalistUrsulines of Brown County, and Ursulines of Cincinnati.

IJPC Board Members

Meredith Bruno, Vice Chair

Mark (Zeek) Childers, Treasurer

Linda Davis

Lucienne Driehaus

Roseann Hassey

Michael Howard II

Jeff Hutchinson-Smyth, Chair

Brad King, Secretary

S. Marge Kloos, SC

Krishna Mahadevan

Jeremiah Pennebaker

Robert Sanker

Robin Wright-Pierce

About IJPC

The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust local, national and global systems, and promotes the creation of a nonviolent society. IJPC is supported by faith-based organizations and individuals who work together to educate around justice issues, take collaborative action and do public witness. We address local, national and international concerns focusing on the death penalty, immigration, human trafficking and peace and nonviolence.

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