MIRIAM BUHL, ESQ.

Miriam Buhl is Pro Bono Counsel at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP and has coordinated the Firm’s award-winning worldwide pro bono program since 2005. In 2023, Weil’s 1,100 attorneys performed nearly 80,000 hours of pro bono work on a wide range of issues including human rights, economic development, corporate governance, political asylum and environmental protection. Among other accolades, the Firm has received the Pro Bono Institute’s Pickering Award (2008) and the ABA Pro Bono Publico Award (2009). Miriam was named Pro Bono Counsel of the Year by The Legal Aid Society in 2006, in 2010 she received the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee’s first Public Advocacy Award, in 2012 she was given Fordham University School of Law’s Louis J. Lefkowitz Public Service Award, in 2014 she received the Feerick Center For Social Justice and Dispute Resolution’s “Spirit of Service” Award, and the Innocence Project presented her the Advocate for Justice Award in 2017.

Miriam is a member of the boards of directors for the International Refugee Assistance Project and the Scherman Foundation. Miriam is a member of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel and serves on the Innocence Project’s Development Committee, the Federal Bar Council Public Service Committee and the New York City Bar Association Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee.

Prior to joining Weil in 2005, Miriam was state director for the Greater New York Chapter of the March of Dimes, one of the largest nonprofits in the US. Between 1999 to 2004, Miriam was executive director of The New York Women's Foundation. From 1997 to 1999, Miriam was founding director of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York's Public Service Network, a program to link volunteer attorneys with public service organizations. She also served as executive director of the fair housing agency Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. from 1993 to 1997 and was staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Division, Brooklyn Neighborhood Office.

Miriam is a graduate of Brown University and Fordham University School of Law.

GENESIS FISHER, ESQ.

JAMS, Fisher Law Practice

Genesis Fisher is the founder of Fisher Law Practice, which provides tailored internal conflict resolution for businesses and offers award-winning employee education that gets people talking so they can address differences and repair trust. Her workshops have helped over 2500 people in six countries.

Ms. Fisher is a JAMS Neutral, Certified Mediator, member of the Eastern District of New York Mediation Panel, and on the Advisory Board for the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution, providing conflict resolution services for over 70 NYC agencies.

Ms. Fisher is the former Director of New York Law School’s Mediation Clinic. Prior to starting the firm, she was a criminal defense attorney. She began her legal career at the Southern Poverty Law Center, working on national civil rights issues and Alabama jail and women's prison reform.

THEO CHENG

ADR Office of Theo Cheng, LLC

Theo Cheng is an independent, full-time arbitrator and mediator, focusing on commercial, intellectual property, technology, entertainment, and employment disputes. He is a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and a AAA Master Mediator. Mr. Cheng is also an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School and a Practitioner in Residence at the Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. He is a Past President of the Justice Marie L. Garibaldi American Inn of Court for ADR and a Past Chair of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. Mr. Cheng received the 2020 James B. Boskey ADR Practitioner of the Year Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section, and the National Law Journal named him a 2017 ADR Champion. Mr. Cheng also has nearly 25 years of experience as an intellectual property and general commercial litigator. He received his A.B. cum laude in Chemistry and Physics from Harvard University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.

NATALIE J. ARMSTRONG-MOTIN

Founder of Marketing Resolution

Mrs. Armstrong-Motin is the author of The Essential Guide to Marketing Your ADR Practice. She is frequently invited to speak around the globe on the successful marketing strategies of the resolution and legal industry. As a consultant to many of the premier providers in the ADR industry, Mrs. Armstrong-Motin and her company, Marketing Resolution, have designed and developed hundreds of business development plans and marketing strategies for private practices, firms, educational institutions, authors, organizations, and associations around the world.

She provides free marketing seminars known as Marketing Monday each week on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Mrs. Armstrong-Motin has received certificates in both Mediation and Arbitration from the Institute of Conflict Management and International Mediation from both Tulane University School of Law and Humboldt University School of Law in Berlin Germany. She has received nearly 150 hours in training in numerous national and international mediation, arbitration and communication courses. Mrs. Armstrong-Motin’s professional education background is in conflict resolution, sociology and criminal psychology. 

She was Vice President of the Southern California Mediation Association and Chair of the Membership Committee, a member of the Board of the London Club, and has served on the Board of the California Dispute Resolution Council. For the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section she served as Vice-Chair of Practice Development Committee, as the Co-Chair of the Standing Committee for Practice, Business and Skills Development, and is currently a Vice-Chair on the Marketing Committee.

Mrs. Armstrong-Motin is the founder of the Will Work For Food (www.WillWorkForFood.news) initiative bringing timely topics to attorneys, mediators, and arbitrators each week and raising money for food banks worldwide (more than $560k to date).

COCO WEN

Coco is a dedicated junior at Cornell University, majoring in government with a minor in law and society, and currently interning with the DOJ's Community Relations Service. Her work includes assisting in research, program evaluation, and regional casework, focusing on strategies for community conflict resolution. Coco also supports legal research, reviews memoranda of understanding, and participates in local community casework to address bias-based incidents and hate crimes. Her commitment to fostering understanding and resolving conflicts is driven by a passion for justice and equity.

AMANDA PEREZ LEDER, MPH

Amanda Perez Leder has conceived and led award-winning health education, capacity-building, and organizational development programs for over 22 years. She is a sought-after instructional designer and facilitator around conflict-laden topics like workplace culture, racial equity, trauma, and sexuality.

Amanda's consulting practice supports C-level executives and Boards with meeting and retreat facilitation, and building and sustaining workplace cultures that allow whole teams to contribute and thrive. She is completing her Mediator Apprenticeship at the Long Island Dispute Resolution Center, while also pursuing a Professional Certification in Conflict Resolution & Mediation from Columbia University.

AZIDA AHMAD AZMI

Azida’s journey as the first in her family to pursue higher education has ignited a relentless commitment to fostering resilient communities. Leading MRA Siswa as President not only deepened her commitment to youth-led initiatives but also inspired her to leverage her position of privilege to create meaningful opportunities for others. With a solid foundation in nonprofit endeavours and youth leadership, Azida is an aspiring social researcher, deeply committed to the fight for migrant human rights and social equality.

As an alumna of YSEALI, Azida blends academic rigour with on-the-ground activism, advocating for inclusive solutions to systemic challenges. Her academic pursuits at Columbia University, focusing on conflict resolution and education inequality, underscore her dedication to understanding and dismantling the roots of societal discord. Her roles as a Research Fellow at the CMM Institute and a Research Assistant at the Difficult Conversations Lab further deepen her expertise in conflict transformation and dialogue facilitation.

Azida's role as a member of the Columbia University Judicial Board reflects her commitment to principles of fairness and justice within academia. As the founder of Peace Around Conflict Malaysia, a youth-led nonprofit aimed at fostering a society grounded in mutual respect and shared humanity, she hopes to extend the reach of her work beyond academic circles and directly into the heart of communities in need.

Azida's dedication to providing equitable access to opportunities is exemplified through her pro bono consulting service. She proofreads English essays—for various purposes such as personal statements and scholarship applications—free of charge and mentors students from high-need backgrounds.

PATRICK J. MEHLER

Patrick J. Mehler is a mediator, arbitrator, and master’s student at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. His research focuses on the future of arbitration and mediation as well as the evolution of just cause. Patrick has mediated over one hundred disputes including contract, drug and alcohol abuse, collections, theft, violence, landlord-tenant, intercultural, property damage, higher education, and more through facilitative, transformative, and restorative methods. He previously received his bachelor's degree with highest honors at the Cornell ILR School and served as Ithaca’s youngest city councilman.

ANTJE-ANNIEK HIPKINS

Antje-Anniek Hipkins is a recent graduate from Pace University’s Peace and Justice Studies and Political Science programs. While completing her studies, she worked with various organizations including the Global Policy Forum (focusing on corporate influence at the UN and sustainable development), and the World Council of Churches/ ACT Alliance (emphasizing women’s empowerment and human rights advocacy). Most recently, she contributed to Reaching Critical Will’s UN First Committee Monitor and delivered a statement on their behalf at the UN in New York City. She is the inaugural Fellow of the Pace University Disarmament Institute.

LIZYVETTE RAMOS, PH.D.(C)

Lizyvette Ramos is a Ph.D. Candidate for the Conflict Analysis and Resolution Program at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She has a Master's in Forensic Psychology, a Law Degree (Foreign), and a Bachelor's in Psychology. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. Completed the BRDGES Intercultural Certificate. Bilingual (English & Spanish). Lizyvette Ramos published the book Sexual Assault [Rape]: Moving from Victim to Survivor in English and Spanish.

ALEXIA GEORGAKOPOULOS, PH.D.

Alexia Georgakopoulos, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies at Nova Southeastern University and Director of the Institute of Conflict Resolution & Communication (www.ICRCtraining.com), a mediation and conflict resolution training firm specializing in delivering Florida Supreme Court Mediation Certification training in Circuit, Family, and County Mediation and Continuing Mediation Education to the public. She is the editor of The Mediation Handbook: Theory, Research, and Practice, published by Routledge, and has appeared on the Today Show.

YEJU CHOI

Yeju “Chloe” Choi is an Assistant Professor of Sociology specializing in Conflict Resolution at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. She completed her doctoral degree in International Conflict Management and a Master’s degree in Conflict Management. Her research interest is in organizational conflict, specifically in cross-cultural conflict and communication, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and virtual team management.

LIZ KENT, ESQ.

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) S. Kent, Esq. earned a B.A. from the University at Buffalo (UB) and a J.D. certificate in State Local Government Law from the UB School of Law. Most recently, Liz received a certificate in English as a Second Language through Niagara University and was honored as a Master Teacher in New York State during her teaching career. Currently, Liz serves on the Family Court Mediation Team through the Center for Resolution and Justice (CDRC) and is a Business Law adjunct professor at Buffalo State University. Liz is hard-of-hearing, wearing hearing aids for over 20 years, and uses assistive technologies when mediating remotely. Liz enjoys gardening, crocheting, and traveling.

JESS KENT

Jess Kent, M.A. is an MWEE cohort participant at the University at Buffalo’s School of Management Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Formerly, Jess worked as a Mediation Specialist at the Law Office of Lindy Korn PLLC where she supported traumatized plaintiffs who have experienced workplace discrimination and sexual harassment. With a Masters in Organizational Behavior and a Bachelors in Psychology, Jess’ ADR career began a decade ago and has spanned topics of housing, inter-faith conflict, multi-party family issues, eldercare, divorce, business, small claims, New York State Supreme Court, as well as child custody and visitation issues. Jess participated in the Los Angeles Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, the NewGround partnership for Muslim-Jewish professionals, and the Segal Citizen Leadership Fellowship. Personally, Jess enjoys training for sprint triathlons and eating dessert first.

DANTE DALLAGO

Dante Dallago is a recent graduate of Pace University with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies and Directing. He is based in New York City and is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. His past research is in theatre arts as Peace and Justice Studies pedagogy and conflict analysis. He will be attending graduate school for journalism this coming fall.

AKOSUA AKUOKO

Akosua is a passionate scholar who holds a Master's degree from Columbia University. Her academic focus surrounds, race, peace and transitional justice. Her research focuses on understanding the Born Free experience in South Africa. This generation, born after the end of apartheid, faces unique challenges and opportunities in a post-conflict society striving for reconciliation and social justice.

FARIA RASHID

Ms. Faria Rashid is a scholar-practitioner and an activist working towards ensuring social justice. She is pursuing her doctoral degree at the Carter School for Peace Building and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.

Ms. Rashid has experience working in international development, human rights, and humanitarian arenas, focusing on policy advocacy, campaign, research, and program implementation work. She also has experience working on communications, resource mobilization, knowledge management, and partnership development. So far, her work has been primarily centered around ensuring women’s rights and gender justice, defying patriarchy, understanding power dynamics, and applying intersectional feminist principles, decolonial lenses, and human rights-based approaches. Besides, Faria is a writer and a poet; her write-ups have been published in several dailies and other platforms.

While working with several reputed international organizations, Ms. Rashid has been privileged to work with diverse underprivileged, marginalized, and vulnerable communities, including women, young people, children, specially-abled people, refugee populations, sex workers, acid survivors, and various other types of violence survivors. Moreover, Faria has collaborated, negotiated, and lobbied with government authorities, multilateral agencies, and international communities. She has also represented her organizations at various civil society platforms, coalitions, and networks.

Ms. Faria Rashid holds an MBA in Strategic and International Management and an MA in International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, MA, USA.

DR CHINWE EGBUNIKE-UMEGBOLU

Dr Chinwe was an ESRC-UKRI-funded Postdoc fellow & a fellow of the ABA DR. She is serving as the American Bar Association (ABA) DR Ombuds Day Marketing Liaison; a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and a lecturer who taught Contract, Business Law, Law, Society & ethics, ADR & legal plan. She teaches MLM21/22 Research Methods & HRM at UoB.

In 2023, one of her book chapters was published by Cambridge University Press, and a book chapter in Current Anthology in law, Athens. She is an ADR Blogger, Podcast Trainer, Consultant, and host of EVA Podcast. She has interviewed leading ADR experts around the world - David Hoffman (Harvard Law Lecturer & Founder of the Boston Law Collaborative LLC), Adeyinka Aroyewun (Director LMDC), Prof Emilia Onyema (SOAS Uni), Prof Mark Feldman (Law Lecturer Peking University, China), Prof David Larson (Mitchell Hamline School of Law & Chair of the ABA- DR) and Prof Bryan Clark (Law lecturer Newcastle University). The podcast/blog focuses on simplifying Traditional African Disputes or ADR to attract more users to settle disputes with the process.

She is a reviewer in academic journals/books. She has authored and presented her research works - Dispensation of Justice: Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC) as a Case Study in Nigeria, 'Bargaining in the Shadow of the Law: The Facts of Divorce as They Stand Today, 'Access to Justice for People with Disability', 'The Workings of International Commercial Arbitration, The Functionality of Election Tribunal & The Chronicles of the Pre Colonial Method of Settling Disputes: Nigeria as a Case Study' at national and international conferences. Chinwe was shortlisted under the category for publication of the year in 2020 by the African Arbitration Association (AfAA). She achieved the Silver status of the Resolution Institute in 2021 for her many valuable contributions and was appointed a mentor.

In 2023, her podcast EVA was featured in the British Podcast Awards under the listener's choice. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) UK & was a Mentor at the Beyond Barriers Student mentoring program at Kingston Uni London. Chinwe is also an Associate Facilitator of the Values and Sustainability Research Group. She is a member of the Research and Enterprise Group (REG) –Law, Society & Justice (LawSoJust) (UoB) and a researcher for the Africa Mediation Network (AMN). Chinwe is skilled in the Traditional African Method of Settling Disputes (TAMSD), ADR, Multi-Door Courthouse, Dispute Resolution, Religion, Conflict and Peace, Stoic &Tao Philosophy.

SEUNG GYO KIM

Mr. Seung Gyo Kim is a dedicated senior studying Conflict Analysis and Resolution at The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. As a trained baritone singer with a deep passion for Korean Art Songs, he utilizes his vocal talents as instruments of peace, aiming to bridge cultural divides and highlight diverse narratives within divided social contexts.

His professional journey includes serving as a research assistant at The United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and as the 12th president of College Leaders: Korea at the UN (CLUN) under the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). Additionally, he is recognized as an esteemed alumnus of the American Diplomacy House Seoul (ADH Seoul).

EILEEN PETZOLD-BRADLEY

Eileen Petzold-Bradley, a Ph.D. candidate in Conflict Resolution Studies at NSU’s Halmos College, serves as a leadership trainer at Nova Southeastern University. She spearheads original diversity programming, contributing to key events led by the BEDI Council. With a background in Learning & Development, Career Coaching, and Conflict Management Consulting, she founded EPBradley Coaching before joining NSU. Eileen brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical expertise, actively supporting diversity initiatives and providing communications support to various university units. Her journey from independent consulting to academia enriches her multifaceted perspective, offering valuable insights to the conference audience.

PROF. BARUCH BUSH

Professor Bush’s scholarship and teaching focuses on mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He is one of the originators of the “Transformative Approach” to mediation, as explained in his best-selling book, The Promise of Mediation (1994, 2d ed. 2005), co-authored with Dr. Joseph Folger and translated into six languages. Bush has practiced, taught and written about mediation for over 40 years, authoring five books and more than thirty articles/chapters on mediation and ADR. His latest article is “Beyond the Toolbox: Value-Based Models of Mediation Practice”, published by Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution in 2023. In 2017, Bush received (together with co-author and colleague Joseph Folger), the Association of Conflict Resolution’s “William Kreidler Award for Distinguished Service to the field of Conflict Resolution.” In 2022, he received the “L. Randolph Lowry Educator of the Year Award” from the Southern California Mediation Association.

PETER MILLER

Peter Miller is a mediator with several decades of experience, who has also taught and mentored many mediators in the greater NY area. He also teaches mediation at Hofstra Law School together with Baruch Bush and others.

REBEKAH RATLIFF, CCLS

Rebekah Ratliff is a JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator, specializing in commercial insurance matters and employment cases. Ms. Ratliff is a credentialed former commercial complex insurance claims professional with more than 25 years of experience evaluating, negotiating and settling claims loss matters, nationwide and internationally. She is the 1st Vice Chair of the National Bar Association’s ADR Section and serves on the Council of the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section. Ms. Ratliff is an adjunct professor at Howard University School of Law, teaching insurance related ADR curriculum that she created. Ms. Ratliff is a nationally sought-after presenter, panelist and lecturer in the insurance and legal industries. She is the recipient of various prestigious awards to include a 7th U.S. District (IL) Congressional Award for her work in dispute resolution. Ms. Ratliff is a native of Chicago, IL, and graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana, holding a degree in Psychology. She is based in Atlanta, GA and offers ADR services worldwide with JAMS.

ROSE CHARLES, ESQ.

Rose Charles is a SVP - Client Engagement Executive at Sompo International. She is a strategic leader and established litigator with expertise in a variety of insurance subject matter areas.

CHEVON ANDRE BROOKS, ESQ.

Chevon Andre Brooks, Esq. is a founding member of the firm Brooks & Berne PLLC. He is an insurance and litigation defense attorney who concentrates his practice on the areas of property and casualty matters in both federal and state courts. Mr. Brooks also has extensive appellate experience which is a valuable asset in handling client matters from inception through appeal when necessary. He currently handles civil litigation defense and insurance coverage litigation, excess/umbrella coverage, labor and employment law and construction related matters, Federal Civil Rights 42 U.S.C. §1983 and municipal liability, premises and products liability, asbestos exposure, motor vehicle, workers’ compensation defense and general negligence cases.

As a former Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York, he also developed skills and expertise in municipal liability. Mr. Brooks has a reputation for zealous representation of his clients in litigation and obtained numerous favorable outcomes in a wide range of federal cases in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and New York State Court, including: class actions involving the New York City Department of Education; actions involving federal claims against the Department of Correction, Department of Homeless Services, Department of Education, and New York City Police Department.

DERRICK MULLEN, MCSA, CCP

Derrick Mullen is a Vice President with the responsibility for handling complex and high exposure litigated claims involving major coverage issues, coordinating mediation days, manages a plaintiff doctors spreadsheet as well as managing defense and coverage law firms at Seneca Insurance Company, Inc. Since 1991, he has also worked for Hartford Insurance Company and Crum & Forster Insurance Company as an inside claims representative and an auto claims supervisor. Derrick gained a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Engineering at Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. In his current role, Derrick specializes in commercial general liability insurance claims, as well as first party property litigation filed against the company. Derrick’s success in this area is supported by excellent negotiation and communication skills, high claim technical ability, leadership, organizational skills combined with a special interest in coverage, habitability, products defect as well as construction defect claims. Derrick also carries an insurance adjusting license in 17 states and has a designation as a Master Certified Special Arbitrator (MCSA) as well as a Certified Claims Professional (CCP) designation. Derrick lives in Ozone Park, New York with his cat named Kobe. When not working, Derrick likes to watch movies, spend time with his two adult daughters, attend sporting events, workout, travel and dine at restaurants.

OMER SHAPIRA

Omer Shapira is an Associate Professor of Law, Lecturer and mediator. He is the editor and contributing author of Mediation Ethics: A Practitioners’ Guide (American Bar Association Publishing, 2021), co-editor and contributing author of Mediation Ethics: Codes of Ethics and Dealing with Dilemmas (The Hebrew University Magnes Press, 2018) (Heb), and author of A Theory of Mediators’ Ethics: Foundations, Rationale, and Application (Cambridge University Press, 2016).

Shapira served as a Member of the Advisory Committee to the Israeli Minister of Justice on matters relating to court-connected mediation and the courts’ list of mediators (2018-2023), and is the chair of International Mediation Institute (IMI) Ethics Committee (The Hague, the Netherlands) and Mediator Ethics Committee (Israel).

ELLEN WALDMAN

Ellen Waldman is currently the Vice President of Advocacy and Educational Outreach at the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR). In the area of dispute resolution, she writes, trains and consults in a broad range of cases, including end-of-life in the health–care context. Former chair of the International Mediation Institute’s ethics committee, and task-force member for the California judicial council’s working-group on training requirements for court-connected mediators, Waldman has been deeply involved in policy questions relating to the qualification and ethics training of mediators.

She has published more than 25 articles on numerous dispute resolution topics and crafted the first book-length treatment of ethical dilemmas in mediation, entitled Mediation Ethics: Cases and Commentaries.

ED WATT

Ed Watt started his career in transportation as a front-line worker at NYCTA. He rose to the position of Financial Secretary of the largest transit local in North America. He has worked for the two largest International transit unions, the Amalgamated Transit Union ATU and the Transport Workers Union TWU. Mr. Watt has served in many local, national, and international roles. In addition to his six years as the Labor representative on the NY MTA Board, he has served as Vice-Chair of the Urban Transport Committee of the International Transport Workers Federation ITF, a member of the Human Resources Joint Steering Committee with UITP, and a delegate to the International Labour Organization on Transport Safety. Mr. Watt has facilitated research with the TRB, NIOSH, and Cornell University's Institute for Workplace Studies. He has served on the Transit Oversight Project Selection Commission, and currently serves on the J-07 Oversight Panel. (Synthesis) He is a Consulting Associate of the Mineta Transportation Institute. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial and labor Relations, MSILR, from Baruch/Cornell. He is currently the Principal of WattADR, an alternative dispute resolution practice.

DAVID L. REINMAN, ESQ.

David L. Reinman, Esq. is the Supervisory ADR Coordinator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s New York District Mediation Program. The EEOC’s New York District includes all of New England, New York and most of New Jersey. Prior to becoming Supervisory ADR Coordinator, Mr. Reinman worked as a Staff Mediator with the EEOC. He has mediated hundreds of charges involving allegations of employment discrimination. He is an Adjunct Professor with Seton Hall Law School’s Conflict Management Program where he teaches law students about dispute resolution processes, mediation advocacy and negotiation skills. Mr. Reinman proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. He earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law and his LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He received his B.A. from Rutgers University. Mr. Reinman conducts trainings and frequently guest lectures on negotiation, mediation and employment law.

DEBORAH REIK, ESQ.

Deborah Reik, Esq. is a Staff Mediator with the U.S. EEOC’s New York District Office. Deborah previously served as a trial and an appellate attorney with the Agency. Deborah has mediated more than two thousand cases. Deborah has won several awards as a mediator, including the Federal Executive Board Distinguished Government Service Award, New York Federal Executive Board Alternative Dispute Resolution Award, and the Congressional Certificate of Achievement. Deborah is on the panel of mediators for the U.S. District Court, EDNY and the AAA panel for Hurricane Sandy mediations. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, magna cum laude, and the University of Connecticut Law School.

RALPH CHARLES

Ralph Charles is a Staff Mediator with the U.S. EEOC’s Newark Area office. Mr. Charles is primarily responsible for mediating cases, which originate in the northern thirteen counties of New Jersey. In addition, he provides outreach and trainings on mediation to businesses, and is often a guest speaker to law schools in New Jersey and New York. Prior to coming to the U.S. EEOC, Mr. Charles served on the mediation panels of the Civilian Complaint Review Board – mediating cases between NYPD and civilians; and NYC Family Court. He earned his basic mediation training from Fordham Law's Mediation Clinic. Although Mr. Charles studied economics at Columbia University, he concentrates most of his current reading on neuroscience and psychotherapy.

ELIZABETH MARCUS, ESQ.

Elizabeth Marcus, Esq. is a Staff Mediator with the U.S. EEOC’s Boston Area Office. Since completing her formal education at the University of Connecticut and New England Law Boston, Elizabeth has worked exclusively in the area of employment law, first with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and then with the EEOC. Elizabeth mediates both public and private sector cases for the EEOC. She has completed formal mediation training with New York University School of Law, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and Mediation Works, Incorporated. Elizabeth is an engaged and enthusiastic mentor both as a mediation clinic placement and as an adjunct professor. She is a regular presenter in discrimination and mediation forums including EEOC Technical Assistance Programs, the Harvard Program on Negotiation, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Law Collaborative.

MARÍA DEL CARMEN ROSA LA LUZ

María del Carmen Rosa La Luz is a Staff Mediator with the U.S. EEOC's New York District Office. Previously, she worked for the FEMA ADR Division. María has been a certified mediator for the Supreme Court in Puerto Rico since 2003. She also served as a volunteer mediator for the Puerto Rico Department of Correction, Criminal Mediation Division and Puerto Rico Labor Department, Labor Mediation Division. In addition, María regularly conducts mediations for governmental agencies such as the Department of Education and TSA. Her practice focuses mainly on EEO, non-EEO, special education and penal mediations. María worked as a service provider for the Negociado de Metodos Alternos, which offers continuing education courses. In 2009, she hosted and was a panelist of a radio program about mediation, dispute resolution methods and other related topics. María completed the mediation program at Puerto Rico Faculty of Law, Interamerican University in 2003 and became a certified mediator by DEOMI (Dept. of Defense, Army, EEO, EO) in 2004. A native of Puerto Rico, María lived in Spain for ten years.

JEREMY BOYD

Jeremy M. Boyd is the Staff Mediator for the Buffalo Local Office of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Buffalo Local Office is responsible for handling employment discrimination complaints throughout most of upstate New York. Prior to his role as mediator, Mr. Boyd served as an investigator in the Buffalo Local Office for over ten years. Mr. Boyd previously served in the US Army as a signals intelligence analyst and has participated in several international security operations with foreign allies as well as other domestic security agencies. Prior to joining the Army, Mr. Boyd did corporate research for a local labor union. Mr. Boyd has earned his M.S. Ed. in Adolescence Education/Social Studies from Canisius College. He also received a B.A. in History from SUNY Fredonia.

MICHELE J. CHILTON

Having studied Journalism, Theology, and Law and obtained her B.A., M.A., and J.D. respectively, Michele J. Chilton is holistically passionate about equity, peace, and justice as expressed through a spirit of reconciliation, both restoratively and socially. Michele gained such fervency while noticing the phrase, “peace with justice” highlighted on the wall of a Dulles International Airport restaurant on route to studying abroad in Oxford, England. Reading and scoring elementary-school-student compositions; working as a freelance writer/reporter; serving as a literacy coordinator and substitute teacher, along with having helped organize and facilitate expungement workshops and student training sessions, as well as attending numerous thought-provoking, law school classes have also been instrumental to Michele’s personal and professional development. Michele’s core values of faith, education, advocacy, and authenticity are very much aligned with her service to multiple organizations, especially in the non-profit sector. Michele is currently the Mediation Facilitator/Outreach Coordinator for Neighborhood Dispute Settlement (NDS), a non-profit, conflict-resolution center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and volunteer restorative justice practitioner for Advoz: Mediation & Restorative Practices in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In addition, Michele has also worked, interned, volunteered, or been affiliated with many other non-profit organizations on a local, regional, national, and international level.

ÉLIE KHOURY

Élie Khoury is the Senior Coordinator of the Peacemakers in Action Network at Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum's Peacebuilding Program oversees the Peacemakers in Action Award process, produces the Peacemakers in Action case studies, and brings together its members for in-person Working Retreats. Élie has a Masters in International Relations from the French Institute of International Relations and Strategy (IRIS’ Sup). An abridged version of his Master's thesis on the South China Sea was published by the French think tank IRIS. Before Tanenbaum, Élie worked at the New York French Institute, the U.S. Embassy in Paris and in private geopolitical consulting.

JEFFREY MARGOLIS

Jeff Margolis is founding principal of The Margolis Law Firm, in New York City, now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Margolis is proud to call himself a “dirt” lawyer: a specialist in property transactions-- buying, selling and, mostly, leasing. Over the years he has frequently lectured and written on cutting-edge issues in office, retail and restaurant leasing matters--presenting at major Bar and Industry associations. Most recently, Jeff has been appointed an Adjunct Professor (Real Estate) at his alma mater Brooklyn Law School where he teaches commercial leasing.

Jeff currently shares empty-nester status with his wife Caryn in Scarsdale, New York where they raised four wonderful children. He is a very popular babysitter for his seven young grandchildren.

IGNACIO TASENDE

Ignacio is a lawyer graduated from the Universidad de la República in Uruguay, where he also serves as an assistant professor of procedural law. He works as an associate in the International Arbitration Department at FERRERE, in Uruguay. He has been involved in international commercial arbitrations under ICC rules and investment arbitrations under ICSID rules, as well as in annulment proceedings before domestic courts, across a diverse range of industries such as oil & gas, construction, ports, and airlines. He holds leadership positions in numerous international arbitration organizations such as Greener Arbitration and Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners. Ignacio has authored articles and delivered presentations on his expertise. He has experience as a student, coach, and arbitrator in several arbitration competitions such as the Willem C. Vis Moot and the Foreign Direct Investment Moot, having been awarded as the second-best speaker in Latin America at an international commercial arbitration competition in 2020.

HOLLY WEISS

Holly Weiss is an effective, patient and persistent mediator and arbitrator. Her ADR practice is focused on employment and employee benefits disputes, including workplace discrimination and harassment claims, contract disputes, compensation disputes and wage and hour claims. Ms. Weiss is an Adjunct Professor at Cardozo Law School in its Mediation Clinic. Ms. Weiss is a member of numerous rosters and panels, including the mediation panels of the District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Supreme Court of the State of New York (Commercial Division), the National Rosters of Arbitrators and Mediators of the American Arbitration Association, FINRA's Roster of Arbitrators, and the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. Before pivoting to ADR, Ms. Weiss spent nearly three decades practicing employment and employee benefits law at the highest level at two top tier law firms in New York City. Ms. Weiss is the founder of Stand Up! Girls, a non-profit focused on empowering girls through stand-up comedy, and is a longstanding board member of the Tanenbaum Center.

REV. MARK E. FOWLER

Rev. Mark Fowler oversees all of Tanenbaum’s program areas and works with operations, fund development and communications. As CEO, Mark is responsible for program development, project management, design and implementation of all Tanenbaum trainings, and the expansion of Tanenbaum programs nationally and internationally.

Mark has been involved in New York City’s education community for over 20 years and is a skilled facilitator/trainer who has worked with teachers, counselors, administrators and students.

He is a sought-after keynote speaker and facilitator in all of Tanenbaum’s core areas, and has addressed organizations globally on issues of equality in race, gender, sexual orientation and religion. Mark has presented at the National Council on the Social Studies, National Association of Multicultural Education, Teaching Tolerance, the YMCA of Greater New York, Partnership for Afterschool Education, Asia Society, National School Board Association, the United Nations, the Newseum, the Power of Women Institute, the Return on Inclusion Summit, the OutNEXT Summit, and the Forum on Workplace Inclusion regarding prejudice reduction, conflict resolution, bias and bullying.

As architect of Tanenbaum’s Corporate Membership Program, Mark has conducted trainings at GSK, Merck, Turner Broadcasting, PwC, The Walt Disney Company, CVS Health, Aetna, Bloomberg, Sodexo, Google, Moody’s, Bank of America, Walmart, and Target, among others. Mark earned a B.A. in English and Education at Duke University and was trained as a Mediation and Conflict Resolution Specialist with the NYC Department of Education. Mark also is a graduate of the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and is an ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual minister.

RABBI MELINDA ZALMA

Rabbi Melinda Zalma is the Manager of Programs at Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. Melinda provides support and direction for all of Tanenbaum’s programs including content creation, evaluation, expansion, and growth. She has presented on topics of interreligious understanding to Mastercard, Hearst, USB, and Dartmouth University, among others.

Melinda previously served as Program Director at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY). In her work there, she brought together diverse people and organizations to build bridges and strengthen the community. Now at the rank of Captain, she has served as a chaplain in the US Navy Reserve Component for over 20 years. Melinda was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary where she also received her Masters in Midrash (stories and interpretations of the Jewish Bible). She obtained her Bachelors of Science in electrical engineering from Northwestern University.

DANIEL DEL NIDO

Daniel received his BA in Philosophy and Religion from Swarthmore College in 2010. He completed his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Columbia University in 2017. His dissertation examined how theories of habit and habituation in modern French philosophy could increase scholarly understanding of the lived practice of religious ethics. While completing his doctorate, he served as a Rapporteur for the Columbia University Seminar for Comparative Philosophy, which sought to advance dialogue between Indian, Chinese, and Western philosophical traditions, and as a Preceptor for Columbia University’s Core Curriculum. Daniel continued to work with the Core Curriculum after completing his Ph.D. as the TOMS Core Faculty Fellow in Contemporary Civilization, a course introducing students to fundamental issues in understanding human communities and the values that define them.

BLAINE DONAIS

Blaine Donais B.A., LL.B., LL.M. (ADR), RPDR, C. Med., Q. Arb., PHSA, WFA author of Workplaces That Work, Engaging Unionized Employees, and The Art and Science of Workplace Mediation, is a labour lawyer and leading theorist and practitioner in Workplace Conflict Management. As President and Founder of Workplace Fairness International, he applies his expertise in labour/management relationship building, mediation-arbitration, investigation, restoration, health and safety assessments and facilitation. He is an Adjunct Professor of Workplace Conflict Management at University of Toronto (Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources). He has served as Board Member at ADRIO and as Co-Chair of the Chartered Mediators Assessment Committee.

AURÉLIE STOLL

Aurélie Stoll is a postdoctoral researcher supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and a visiting scholar at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Her research interests include social inequalities, epistemic injustices, impacts of the criminal legal system, restorative justice, and collaborative qualitative research. She is also a board member of the Swiss Restorative Justice Forum.

DR. SHIRA MAY

Shira May, Ph.D. serves as the President and CEO at the Center for Dispute Settlement, a community dispute resolution center serving the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. A former SafeZone trainer, Shira is an experienced restorative practices facilitator and circle keeper, mediator, educator, and public speaker. She has facilitated community dialogues addressing a range of challenging topics, including sexual misconduct, racial harm, and Palestine/Israel. Shira also serves as a volunteer circle keeper with Hidden Water, a restorative justice response to the impact of child sexual abuse.

DR. HELEN WINTER, LLM

Helen Winter is an Assistant Professor of Law and Practice at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, teaching in the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Professor Winter teaches in the Straus Institute’s academic programs and professional training programs, and provides mentorship and advisory services to international students.

Professor Winter holds a law degree with a focus on International Public Law from Heidelberg University, and an LL.M in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Caruso Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. Most recently she has served as a Research Fellow at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School while completing her Ph.D at European University Viadrina in Germany. At Harvard, Professor Winter has been researching proven strategies for bias reduction, and peer mediation mechanisms as a means to promote self-efficacy for refugees and migrants. She has additionally been assisting with teaching, mentoring, and training future mediators and ADR professionals around topics such as cross-cultural mediation, systems design, and negotiation.

Professor Winter has an extensive background in mediation and intercultural dispute resolution. In addition to having served as a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, she has also worked at the European University of Viadrina. She further has run her own mediation practice and co-founded R3SOLUTE, a charitable organization based in Berlin which empowers refugees and locals to manage and prevent community conflicts through dialogue and peer mediation. She has worked with the United Nations Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS), addressing systemic issues. Professor Winter also serves as an ambassador for the International Justice Mission in Germany.

Professor Winter has been published in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review, and Conflict Resolution Quarterly and has been invited to speak at numerous events, webinar series, and podcasts within the ADR community both nationally and internationally, including at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. She hopes to use her position to continue researching ways to foster agency and self-efficacy of underrepresented minorities of society through a bottoms-up approach to ADR, while supporting the Pepperdine community.

DR. JENNIFER J. WILHOIT

Dr. Jennifer J. Wilhoit is a spiritual ecologist, author, and researcher. For thirty years, Jennifer’s research and writing has focused on the inner/outer landscape: the interconnection between creativity and the natural world. She has been helping people navigate conflict and transition in myriad contexts including within special needs communities, hospice settings, crisis centers, ecological settings, intercultural contexts, restorative justice venues, interfaith groups, and wilderness rites of passage circles. Dr. Wilhoit is the founder of TEALarbor stories, through which she offers nature-based mentorship to aspiring creatives and people in impasse. She presents her work internationally. Jennifer thrives on being in nature, creating visual art and photography, and is an avid traveler. She resides in the Pacific Northwest.