Meeting the team: introducing Lucy Jaffé to RestorativU

Restorative justice often calls us to reimagine systems — not as static structures, but as living frameworks that can adapt, respond, and evolve. Few people embody that mindset as fully as Lucy Jaffé, who joins the RestorativU board as Chief Marketing Officer bringing a rare — but valuable —  blend of technological expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep-rooted commitment to social justice.

With over 30 years of experience spanning the voluntary, corporate, and statutory sectors, Lucy brings a career that bridges the worlds of high-tech innovation and human-centred change. From leading software development for the Lloyd’s of London insurance market to driving national campaigns for restorative justice reform, her work reflects a consistent thread: systems can — and must — work better for people.

In the 1990s, Lucy joined Whitespace Software, a specialist provider for the financial sector. She rose to Sales and Marketing Director, helping to position the company at the forefront of digital transformation In members’ and managing agencies . Lucy also holds a Master’s degree in Intelligent Knowledge-Based Systems, a field that laid early groundwork for today’s AI. Her fascination with how technology can amplify — rather than replace — human judgment continues to shape her thinking. At RestorativU, she sees the chance to apply that insight to the social justice sector.

“I’ve joined the RestorativU team because I want to bring restorative justice into the mainstream,” Lucy says. “The huge potential of restorative approaches — in justice, schools and on our streets — can be unleashed through the intelligent application of AI-enabled technology.”

After leaving the software world, Lucy shifted her focus to social change — but brought with her a systems lens that has stayed central to her work. As Director of Why me?, the UK’s national restorative justice charity, she spent over a decade building a small advocacy group into a nationally recognised organisation. Under her direction, the organisation secured several million in funding, influenced public policy, and helped embed restorative practices into national conversations on crime, education, and institutional accountability.

But for Lucy, success wasn’t just about headlines or numbers. It was about working closely with people affected by the issues — victims, communities, frontline staff — and ensuring their voices were central to the process. She has always prioritised authenticity over performative inclusion, creating safe, thoughtful spaces where people can be heard on their own terms.

That sensitivity also defines her approach to leadership. As a consultant and founder of Jaffeworks, she now works with boards, chief executives and leadership teams navigating growth, conflict or transformation. Whether in corporate environments or non-profits, Lucy brings a steady, strategic presence. Her ability to diagnose the root of a challenge, build a shared framework for change, and support people through implementation has made her a trusted advisor across sectors.

Facilitation is a core part of her skillset. She’s a trained Restorative Justice practitioner and Action Learning Set facilitator, adept at guiding groups through complex or sensitive territory. She’s also led capital and revenue fundraising campaigns that have delivered long-term results — including a £1 million facilities project for Forest School Camps, a youth education initiative she’s been involved with for decades.

Her communications work has been equally impactful. Serving as the Director and Deputy Director at Why me?, she oversaw a brand and messaging transformation that helped the organisation become a leading voice on restorative justice — not just in the UK, but internationally. She understands how to build narratives that move people, influence decision-makers, and align diverse stakeholders around a common goal. Moreover, the work carried out at Why me? during the Covid pandemic, under her directorship, was pioneering when it comes to implementing online solutions to restorative practices.

At RestorativU, that ability to bridge sectors, and experiences will be essential because our mission is to use AI-powered tools to support the spread and sustainability of restorative justice. 

She also brings an international perspective as her non-executive work includes serving on the Board of the European Forum for Restorative Justice. She also holds advisory roles on major heritage and advocacy projects. In an era when many organisations are grappling with how to use technology responsibly and inclusively, Lucy offers a clear answer: start with values, listen to people closest to the issue, and design with care.

We’re proud to have Lucy on our board. Her leadership — grounded, visionary, and rigorously ethical — will help shape not only the direction of RestorativU, but also the future of restorative justice as a whole.

Because at this moment, when technology is rapidly reshaping our world, we need leaders who don’t just ask can we do this? — but should we, for whom, and how can we do it better?