Our Team

“...let us continue to work together to develop and nurture in future generations a culture of human rights, to promote freedom, security and peace in all nations.”
Kofi Annan

JRPC Staff

Nicole Mitchell

She/Her/Hers | Executive Director

Nicole has been dedicated to youth development and advocacy since moving to Missoula in 2004. With a background in art education and anthropology, she brings a visionary approach to social justice and problem-solving. Creativity, fun, perseverance, and humility guide her work as she strives to create meaningful experiences that positively impact the community.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two children and friends, hiking, biking, skiing, gardening, playing pickleball, traveling, and visiting museums, all of which help her maintain a healthy balance and continue learning.

Jenny Zaso-Hitchcock

She/Her/Hers | Fair-Trade Merchandising-Buyer

Jennica Norton

She/Her/Hers | Program Coordinator

Jennica joins the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center as the Center Coordinator, bringing a vibrant blend of entrepreneurial spirit, artistic insight, and a profound commitment to community well-being. Having made the bold move from a coastal town of Carpinteria, California to the heart of Missoula in 2021, Jennica embarked on a journey of self-discovery through artisanship at the downtown People's Market. Through this experience, Jennica learned invaluable lessons about the power of connection and the transformative potential of creativity in fostering personal resilience and community cohesion.

Drawing from a background in hand crafting jewelry as a means of navigating periods of personal struggle, she discovered the profound therapeutic benefits of artistic expression. This journey sparked a deep-seated passion for art therapy, driving her aspirations to one day become an Art Therapist and share these transformative practices with others. Jennica envisions Missoula as the ideal crucible for this journey, citing its vibrant artistic community, dedication to inclusivity, and abundant natural surroundings as pivotal factors in shaping her growth and educational path.

Jennica believes that peace encompasses not only external harmony but also internal well-being, and is excited to contribute to the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center's mission of fostering nonviolence, social justice, and environmental sustainability. With a firm belief in the power of grassroots activism and community engagement, she looks forward to collaborating with individuals and organizations alike to create meaningful change and promote a culture of peace and compassion in Missoula and beyond.

Dre Castillo

They/Them/Theirs | IAEP Program Coordinator

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About Dre…

 Coordinating Council

Dara Newman She/Her/Hers

Licensed Clinical Professional

Counselor / Clarkia Counseling LLC

Jennifer Watkins She/Her/Hers

Creative Writing Coach Missoula Writing Collaborative / Youth Challenge Academy

Sean Raming

PhD Candidate in Peace Studies and History at the University of Notre Dame Kroc Center for International Peace Studies and Faculty Affiliate at the University of Montana History Department. 

Friends of JRPC

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Walter Honan

Scott Elder

Steve McArthur

Susan Anderson

Carel Schneider

Nora Drew

Kathi and Glenn Wood

Julia Brozio-Todd

Babs Sawyer

Betsy Mulligan-Dague

Ethel Macdonald

Vicki Watson

Jim Parker

Rusty Dague