First generation Canadian and indigenous to Lebanon, Mandy Halabi has been a leader in the human services sector for over 20 years; primarily focused on developing and implementing new programs aimed at assisting at-risk families, children and youth in achieving and maintaining goals to help them improve their quality of life, by living self-sufficiently and out of harm’s way. Having completed a diploma in Child and Youth Care from MacEwan University, followed by a degree in Human and Social Development from University of Victoria, and, with a passion for youth work, conflict resolution, restorative justice and peace building, Mandy completed a master’s degree in Peace and Development through the University of Limerick, Ireland.

Her researched focused on youth engagement, identity formation and civic membership in the prevention of conflict, violence and crime, which she has successfully applied in the development of programs and peacemaking circle processes. Mandy completed an apprenticeship with Kay Pranis to become a peacemaking circle keeper trainer and has continued to implement peacemaking circles in all of her work, as well as facilitate training for numerous Restorative Justice practitioners, program staff, community members, non-profit organizations (locally, provincially, nationally and internationally), police, school staff groups and organizations throughout Canada and New Zealand. Mandy is a co-founder of Transformative C.I.R.C.L.E. Practice Centre along with Sahana Parameswara.