Executive Director

Wolf Smith (they/them) is the leader of CRCSTL, where they bring together their passion for non-profit governance and leadership with their entrepreneurial background to build creative and innovative solutions to resolving conflicts.

An alum of Washington University School of Law and the Brown School of Social Work, Wolf aims to bring both to their leadership of CRCSTL. They are a St. Louis native with professional roots in the anti-domestic violence movement and LGBTQIA+ communities, resulting in their founding and leading the St. Louis Anti-Violence Project for six years before passing the reins to their successor.

Wolf has also worked with Pride St. Louis, where they founded PrideCenter, the region's only LGBTQIA+ community center. They continue to volunteer in the anti-violence space, teach at the Brown School of Social Work, and provide mentorship and legal support to local LGBTQIA+ organizations, such as serving as the Legal Advisor for the St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline (SQSH).

Outside of work, Wolf is an avid video gamer, self-proclaimed nerd, and aerialist.

Programs Director

Reshad Staitieh (he/him) was born and raised in Kansas City. He is a musician, a writer, a mediator, and an attorney. Not always in that order.

Reshad is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri where he attended law school and received his undergraduate degrees in English and Political Science. After obtaining his law degree and a certificate in Dispute Resolution, Reshad moved to Washington, D.C., and began work as a Staff Attorney for one of the nation’s largest civil rights and advocacy organizations. There, he represented individuals who had experienced discrimination in the workplace, at school, or while traveling. In addition to his direct client work, Reshad managed a series of national programs and litigated a variety of constitutional issues in federal court.

In 2016, Reshad relocated to St. Louis to start his private practice, focusing on non-profit consultation and mediation. In 2018, he began volunteering with CRCSTL as a Community Mediator. And when the opportunity arose in 2020, Reshad officially joined CRCSTL to manage the then-nascent Eviction Prevention Mediation Program.

Reshad is a firm believer in the power of conflict resolution and its ability to foster healthy and lasting relationships in every aspect of our daily lives. As CRCSTL’s Programs Director, Reshad utilizes his experience in non-profit program development to enhance the role of conflict resolution by making it more visible, more useful, and more accessible to our entire community.

Programs Manager

Denise Poplar (she/her) is a Programs Manager for CRCSTL, where she unites her passion for educating and her judicial experience to assist with the eviction crisis the community is facing.

Denise was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She is an educator at heart and enjoys tutoring, writing, and motivating others. Denise is a proud graduate of Harris Stowe State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Educational Studies. She also received her Associate’s degree in Teacher Education from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. 

In 2019, Denise returned to St. Louis after a season in Atlanta to focus on family and began assisting with various non-profit organizations in Missouri. A firm believer that if you reach for it, anything is obtainable, Denise sought (and found!) a career dedicated and committed to equity and justice.

Mediation and Education Manager

Cat's expertise is helping others in conflict find commonality through empathetic listening and ensuring all sides feel heard. She thrives helping people and approaches difficult situations with an individualized approach for a mutual path forward.

Cat has a Master’s degree in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University with an emphasis in Secondary School Counseling. She also has vast knowledge in mental health, healthcare, mentoring, and coaching. She is a trained Missouri Supreme Court Civil and Family mediator and trained in Parts B and C of IDEA in special education. Cat has mediated over 500 civil/community cases and numerous family mediations.

Outside of work, Cat likes to spend time with family and friends, catch up on self-help books, go for walks, and spend as much time as she can outdoors, preferably somewhere near a beach.

Programs Manager

Kristin (she/her) was born and raised in St. Louis. She studied at Creighton University where she has a bachelor’s in Justice and Society and Spanish, as well as a master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. While at Creighton, she spent much of her time working with the office of service and justice where she connected students to advocacy opportunities and service immersion experiences, which truly informed her drive to pursue peace-building work. Since graduating, she has worked with various non-profits facilitating educational programming for youth and coordinating volunteers.

Kristin believes in the power of storytelling and building bridges in communities through effectively engaging in conflict.

During her free time, Kristin loves to explore new parts of her “old” city (preferably on a bike), ski, watch college basketball, and get outside as often as possible!

Outreach Manager

Sheila (she/her) is the Outreach Manager at the Conflict Resolution Center - St. Louis (CRCSTL). Prior to joining CRCSTL, Sheila worked as a property manager and director of Section 8 housing, navigating complex policies and regulations while championing the basic needs of those she served. During the uncertainty of 2020, Sheila made the decision to leave the corporate world and pivot her time and energy to the nonprofit sector, seeking out opportunities to give back to her community and do work that is good for her heart. 

Initially joining CRCSTL in 2020 as an Intake Coordinator, Sheila processed over one thousand client cases, working tirelessly to resolve client conflicts and connect individuals confronting homelessness and eviction to helpful resources throughout the City. Sheila’s drive and passion for relationship-building led her to CRCSTL’s Outreach Department where she has been vital in connecting CRCSTL with City residents, agencies, and organizations. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Sheila serves on St. Louis City Continuum of Care Advocacy Committee and the St. Louis Metro Housing Collective. She is also an active participant with the City’s Office of Violence Prevention. 

On the ground and online, Sheila is the energetic face you see at community events and the creative director of CRCSTL’s social media and ad campaigns. Outside of work, Sheila loves reading (fictions/mystery), traveling, and spending time with her family (both 2-legged and 4-legged!).

Case Coordinator

Johnesha Cotton-Williams (she/her) is the Case Coordinator at CRCSTL. Born and raised in Saint Louis from a long line of teachers, education is Johnesha’s passion. She started her career in education serving as a middle school Reading Specialist. After years of inspiring students to further their reading skills, she decided she wanted to help more in the St. Louis community and that drive is what brought her to our organization as the Case Coordinator.

Outside of work, she is an avid shopper who loves to laugh, binge-watch new shows, and spending time with family and friends.

Development Coordinator

Tom Geiser (he/him) is the Development Coordinator at CRCSTL. In that role he combines his many years of marketing and communications in the corporate world with his desire for development in the non-profit world.

Tom has worked for Fortune 500 Companies, such as Citibank and AT&T. Tom plans to bring his experience and management of various marketing and communications campaigns to help raise awareness for CRCSTL and improve its resources and funding. He has worked with multiple non-profits during his career and is looking forward to growing CRCSTL.

Tom has been involved with CRCSTL for more than three years as a volunteer. He completed CRCSTL’s Mediation Training and apprenticeship program. He then worked as a mediator and conflict coach for the organization. He plans to use his volunteer experience with CRCSTL to help in his current role.

Outside of work, Tom is an avid runner, YouTube creator, and golfer. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.