SCHOENE MAHMOOD
Restorative Schools Manager, El Monte

Schoene Mahmood is a dedicated leader in Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) with over 20 years of experience working towards the transformation of academic communities. As the Restorative Schools Program Manager at El Monte City School District (EMCSD), Schoene brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering environments where every community member can feel a sense of belonging and significance.

At Loyola Marymount University’s (LMU) Center for Urban Resilience, she developed and directed a comprehensive RP schoolwide implementation program. Her leadership was instrumental in forming partnerships with 14 school districts, resulting in the training of over 3,000 administrators, faculty, and staff. Schoene’s efforts have significantly improved school climates, facilitating over 350 Restorative Conferences with a 98% success rate. Her contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; in 2023, she was honored with the LMU Center for Reconciliation and Justice's Hidden Heroes Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to the cause.

One of Schoene’s notable achievements includes the establishment of the Southern California Restorative Practices Consortium, which brings together over 80 organizations to engage in communities of practice and advance the field of restorative justice. Under her guidance, the Consortium has become a vital resource for RJP leaders across the region. Her research on RJP implementation, titled “Institutional Transformation to Nurture Restorative Justice Practitioners: A Cross-Sector Exploration of a Regional Community Practice in Southern California,” was published in the Community of Practice Journal in March 2024, further solidifying her position as a thought leader in the field.

Before joining LMU, Schoene was at the forefront of community restoration in Baltimore. At the Community Conferencing Center (now Restorative Response Baltimore), she facilitated over 400 community conferences for juveniles facing expulsion, arrest, and court-diversion cases, working closely with the Maryland State Attorney's Office, the Department of Juvenile Services, and the Baltimore City Police Department. This work laid the groundwork for her approach to restorative practices, emphasizing community involvement and sustainable conflict resolution.

Throughout her career, Schoene has remained committed to the belief that building the skills to navigate conflict is essential for cultivating just and compassionate communities. She is honored to continue this work with EMCSD, where she looks forward to contributing to meaningful societal change and supporting the well-being of students and educators alike.