November Spotlight

Julie Schaffer, Restorative Practices and Mediation

Julie’s work is a reflection of her passion for human connection, healing, and social justice. With a background in law and a deep commitment to restorative practices, she has dedicated much of her career to advocating for those impacted by the criminal justice system. Julie’s work has revolved around helping individuals navigate the challenges of reentry, and supporting people to overcome the systemic barriers that continue to cause harm and hardship. Her journey into this field, however, was not a direct path, but one guided by intuition and a desire to make a difference.

Her career began in law, but as Julie gained more experience, she realized that the criminal justice system was failing to address the deeper issues of harm and healing. She shifted focus toward restorative justice and began facilitating restorative practices, which seek to repair harm by bringing people together to address conflict and heal broken relationships. Julie became involved with the NAACP Building Restorative Communities Initiative after being invited to join by Inga Laurent and Rick Matters. As a consultant, Julie partners with school districts, community organizations, and state-level programs to facilitate and train in conflict resolution and restorative approaches. She’s worked with a range of groups, from the University of Washington Medical School to the Girl Scouts, and even mediates special education conflicts between families and school districts.

Julie’s favorite part of her job is the human connection. “I’m always drawn to 1:1 human connection,” she says. “I love holding space for people, hearing their stories, and supporting them in their healing.” This connection is not limited to her work as a consultant or trainer—Julie is also a licensed massage therapist and Reiki practitioner. Through massage therapy, she’s found a powerful way to help people heal, both physically and emotionally. “I’ve seen how massage and energy work can help people heal in ways that extend beyond the physical,” Julie reflects. “It’s been such a rewarding way to contribute to others’ well-being.”

Julie’s passion for social justice and healing is rooted in a curiosity about people—how they overcome challenges and what makes them resilient in the face of hardship. She was originally a journalism student and, even now, her interest in storytelling remains central to her work. “I’ve always been intrigued by people’s stories,” she says. “How they move through life’s difficulties and find strength. I think that’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”

Throughout the different areas of her career, Julie shares that each shift felt true to her values and intuition. “I want to be someone who makes others feel seen and valued.”

When asked about challenges, Julie is quick to point out that one of the most difficult parts of her work is when people focus too much on the task or outcome and not enough on the relationship. “There’s often dysfunction within systems and coalitions when people haven’t taken the time to build strong relationships,” she explains. “The key to making progress is slowing down and ensuring that people feel heard and valued.” In her experience, "when things start to feel off, take a moment to pause, breathe, and recenter."

Julie is a firm believer in the power of relationships, both in her professional and personal life. “I lean on my relationships for support,” she says. “I am so lucky to have so many mentors and teachers in my life.’” She’s also dedicated to maintaining her own well-being. Julie starts each day early with exercise, meditation, and walks in nature, which help her stay grounded. “Nature is such a powerful way to reconnect with myself,” she reflects.

Looking ahead, Julie is excited to continue the work she loves. She’s not planning a dramatic shift in her career, but she does hope to refine and deepen her ability to serve others. “I want to continue to create spaces where I can serve and that feels peaceful and healthy,” she says. In five years, she sees herself continuing to follow her heart and intuition, trusting that it will lead her to the people and opportunities that will help her grow in her work.

Her advice to her younger self? “Don’t be afraid to be you,” she says. “Trust your intuition, and trust yourself.”

For Julie, it’s clear that success is defined by the relationships she builds and the positive impact she has on others. Whether it’s through her work as a consultant, massage therapist, or Reiki practitioner, Julie remains deeply committed to the values of restorative justice, healing, and human connection.
To learn more about Julie’s work or to connect with her, you can reach her at:
Restorative Lens Consulting: restorativelensconsulting@gmail.com
Massage Therapy: sagerootsmassage@gmail.com