Meet the Team!
Office Team
Liz Rios
Executive Director
Liz has been with the Center For Restorative Justice Works since 2019 currently serving as the Executive Director. Liz, an East Los Angeles native, grew up in a close-knit community highly impacted by crime and the criminal justice system. As a child, Liz was separated from her father for several years as he served time in prison. Liz later earned her degree in Sociology from Long Beach State University, where she learned more about the numerous complexities among system impacted communities face. Liz’s personal understanding of the impacts of incarceration paired with her education led to her desire to serve system impacted community members. In her free time, Liz loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Email: Lrios@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 13
Azucena Lopez
Administrative Coordinator
Azucena Lopez is the Administrative Coordinator for CRJW, overseeing the main office’s administrative needs and programs.
Azucena first started with CRJW as a volunteer and transitioned to an intern, helping CRJW as she completed her degree. A recent graduate from CSU San Bernardino, Azucena currently holds Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice. She has a younger sister who she is helping raise. Azucena loves to travel and learn about various cultures. Azucena is passionate about helping and supporting the local community.
Email: azucenal@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 16
David Ritter
Development Coordinator
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, David moved to LA and attended school at the University of Southern California. After graduating in 2007, David spent the next 10 years living in China, where he worked in private equity specializing in foreign investment into the United States. David has been dedicated to a number of non-profit organizations since he was 16 and is passionate about helping CRJW continue its important mission to serve families impacted by the criminal justice system.
Email: dritter@crjw.org
Get On The Bus Team
Kristal Corona
Program Director
Kristal currently serves as GOTB’s Program Director. Kristal has studied conflict resolution and community capacity building in relations to healing and local solution building. In her free time, she works with organizations and individuals wishing to learn more about conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
Email: kcorona@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 18
Josue Avalos
Program Assistant
Josue is the first in his family have earned a bachelor’s degree. HeSalvadoran-American and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Josue has two cute and wonderful dogs that drive him crazy. He likes to travel and try new loves to try our new food. He loves to sky dive and has done it several times. Josue also helps his dad with his Landscaping Business; and has been doing so for 10+ years. He loves the outdoors and chatting away with his community. During COVID-19 Josue was working as a security officer in Los Angeles (Koreatown).
Email: avalosj@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 10
Vladimir Guerra
Program Assistant
Vladimir has dedicated his life to giving back to his community and is a firm believer that he is where he is supposed to be. He is very passionate self-care and keeping fit. He loves living life and is enjoying every moment; however, he believes that sleep makes it possible.
Email: vguerra@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 14
Anyssa Lizarraga
Program Assistant
This is my second time back to CRJW and I could not be more excited. Prior to coming back, I worked at the California Institution for Men, where I was a Teaching Assistant for the Developmentally Disabled population for four years. I am a first-time mom to a wonderfully, spunky one and a half year old named Ryan. I am a few months away from finishing my Teaching Credential in Special Education from National University.
Email: alizarraga@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 15
Liza Escún
Program Associate
Liza holds a BA in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Liza has both personal and professional experience working with many vulnerable groups including the homeless population, sexual assault survivors, and at-risk youth.
Committed to providing mentorship and healing communities through a restorative justice approach, at CRJW, Liza develops and maintains the student volunteer and internship program. Additionally, she works closely with families to provide resources and guidance, so they can connect with with their incarcerated loved one.
When not working, you can find Liza spending with her family and friends outdoors – exploring different food places, hiking, visiting museums etc. – or inside playing with her cat!
Email: lescun@crjw.org
Phone Extension: 11
Mary Thielscher
Regional Coordinator
Mary lived in San Luis Obispo for nearly 30 years. Recently she and her husband moved to Carlsbad to be closer to her three sons. Mary is a new grandmother to the cutest little girl, who reminds her why she left SLO. In addition to working as a Regional Coordinator for CRJW, Mary has been a Lead Educator for Kidz Toolbox for Personal Safety, a program through the nonprofit, Center for Family Strengthening. Kidz Toolbox teaches elementary school children about safety and sexual abuse prevention. Mary is currently working to bring this program to the San Diego area. Mary also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald house of Charities in San Diego.
Email: mthielscher@crjw.org
