Meet the team
Our Groups
Join the Volunteer Community
Our facilitators are the heart and soul of AVP Ireland. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to AVP workshops. Thanks to their commitment and dedication, AVP workshops become meaningful experiences that inspire positive change and build community. Our facilitators are trained individuals, comprising both prison-based volunteers as well as outside volunteers who work together to create a unique space that gives participants the opportunity to build skills in communication, conflict resolution, and personal growth.
Message from Josephine Williams
Meet Our AVP Coordinator
Lisa Oelschlegel joined AVP as national coordinator in July 2024. She brings extensive experience in project management, volunteer management, workshop facilitation, mental health and social support, diversity and inclusion, as well as violence prevention.
Our Beliefs
The Trinity
Scripture
Salvation
Atonement
Christian Life
The Chapel
Baptism
Marriage
Our Story
Native Chapel membership is a commitment to one another—a willing pledge to guard, care, submit, support, and minister together for the building up of our church body.
Our Values
We value the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, marking us as God’s people and manifesting Himself miraculously.
Board of Trustees
Larisa Sioneriu
Chair of the Board
Larisa has over 10 years of experience in adult and community education, working with diverse communities both in Ireland and internationally. She developed a strong interest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding through her role as an AVP facilitator and her involvement in educational projects in Colombia during the peace process. Larisa is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Maynooth University.
Dragana Soro
Board member
Dragana has over 15 years of experience in community education, youth work and community development. Her work in the charity sector in Ireland and abroad has given her valuable insight into the complexities of the justice system and the transformative power of education in fostering nonviolent solutions. Committed to building safer and more inclusive communities, she supports the Alternative to Violence Project in Ireland by applying their expertise in leadership, program development, and strategic collaboration.
Gráinne Carty
Secretary of the board
Gráinne has been involved with AVP for over a decade, initially serving as a facilitator before joining the board. She became engaged with AVP when it was first introduced in Ireland by Helen Haughton and was drawn to its transformative approach to conflict resolution. With a deep appreciation for AVP’s tools, particularly the use of "I" messages to foster constructive communication, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate conflict in a more effective and empathetic way. Gráinne is committed to building community, finding common ground, and utilizing humor as a tool for de-escalation, believing in AVP’s potential as a game-changer in conflict resolution.
Mojtaba Akbari
Board Memebr
Mojtaba (Moji) Akbari is a strategic leader with 17+ years’ experience advising C‑level executives and boards on embedding robust governance, risk, and compliance frameworks into digital transformations that drive sustainability and positive social impact. With expertise across public and private sectors and a comprehensive portfolio of executive accreditations, Moji empowers boards by balancing innovation with regulation, driving long-term sustainable value, eco-friendly practices, and meaningful societal outcomes.
Annie Clarke-Kiely
Board Member
Annie has over 25 years of experience working in prison settings, bringing a deep understanding of the environment, its culture and its challenges.
Larisa Sioneriu
Dragana Soro
Gráinne Carty
Larisa Sioneriu
Dragana Soro
Gráinne Carty
Anna Kennedy
Annie Clarke-Kiely
Mojtaba Akbari
Adam Grennan
Jenny Haughton
Anna Kennedy
Mojtaba Akbari
Anna Kennedy
