Mediator Resume

Highly experienced mediator with over 18 years in dispute resolution, specializing in complex, long-standing employment matters, environmental cases, and high-value, multi-party freight and passenger railroad disputes. A recognized leader in the field, has shaped national dispute resolution policy and trained hundreds of mediators across the U.S. and internationally. Known for patience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to practical, lasting solutions.

Impact Associates - Senior Partner

Mediator, Conflict Management Practitioner

Senior Partner, Impact Associates, 2025-Present; Commissioner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 2019-2025; ADR Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency, 2016-2019; Director, American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, 2010-2016; Staff Attorney, American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, 2006-2010.

A seasoned dispute resolution professional with over 18 years of experience in mediation, facilitation, coaching, and organizational conflict management across employment, environmental, and transportation sectors. Worked with senior executives to lead organizational effectiveness and change initiatives and has managed complex regulatory, hazardous waste, and Superfund-related disputes. Has designed and delivered mediation training both nationally and internationally, including mediation capacity-building efforts in Kosovo. As a legal and policy expert on ADR, has led large-scale professional development programs and strategic initiatives for the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, overseeing an 18,000-member network, million-dollar budgets, and global education efforts. Known for ability to build collaborative cultures, brings a unique blend of legal acumen, policy insight, and hands-on conflict resolution experience to every engagement.

Provided mediation services to both private and public sectors, mediating over 1,000 construction, employment, environmental, transportation, and regulatory matters across a diverse range of issues.

Construction • Facilitated multifaceted discussions between senior executives from two federal agencies on the planning, coordination, communication, and design of a 2-billion-dollar construction project. Employment • Mediated eight-figure class action to resolve allegations of discrimination in promotions and hiring based on employees' engagement in prior protected activity. • Mediated hundreds of sexual harassment, race, religion, age, and disability discrimination cases. • Mediated hundreds of wrongful termination, non-selection, and retaliation cases. • Mediated numerous gender and pregnancy discrimination cases. • Mediated and facilitated numerous employer disputes with senior executives. Environmental • Mediated, facilitated, and convened matters involving Superfund, hazardous waste, and the Clean Water Act. • Conducted situation assessments and provided convening services to guide stakeholders in designing eUective public participation and conflict management processes. • Mediated, facilitated, and convened multi-party Title VI discrimination matters involving programs or activities that received federal funding. • Mediated tribal issues involving clean energy grant requirements. • Facilitated multi-party strategic planning discussions on weather and climate-related mitigation and recovery issues, fostering consensus and constructive dialogue among diverse stakeholders. Federal Sector • Mediated and facilitated employment, environmental, transportation, and regulatory matters across a diverse range of issues with U.S. federal departments and agencies including BEP, BOP, CISA, DHS, DOE, DOC, DoD, DOI, EEOC, EPA, EOP, DOJ, FBI, FDIC, FTC, GSA, HHS, HUD, Mint, NEC, NIST, NLRB, ODNI, State Department, Treasury, US Attorneys’ OUices, USAF, USCIS, USDA, USDT, and VA. Regulatory • Facilitated Negotiated Rulemaking discussions on HVAC standards and inorganic byproduct chemical data reporting. Transportation • Mediated numerous complex multi-party high-dollar Class I freight and passenger railroad matters brought before the Surface Transportation Broad, including: • Restoration of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. Multi-party mediation between a passenger railroad, two Class I freight railroads, and a state port. • Freight and passenger rail operating agreement – terms and compensation for passenger rail use of facilities, rail lines, and services. • Construction and operating exemption for land use of permits in the construction of a solid waste rail transfer station. • Petition for abandonment of rail line. • Application to acquire rail line through Board ordered sale. • Unfair competition rate matters between shippers and Class I freight rail. • Partial revocation of exemption from regulation application to transportation of iron and steel scrap for rail service. • Operating rights, trackage rights, betterment of the line, and interest rental payments between two Class I freight railroads.

Approach My approach is built on creativity, patience, and a relentless commitment to practical solutions. Preparation My process begins with thorough preparation—conducting pre-mediation calls, reviewing statements, and asking insightful questions to help parties clarify their goals and arrive ready for constructive engagement. Mediation Session During mediation, I actively work the issues with the parties, helping them explore underlying issues and possible solutions from different angles. As I work toward a resolution, I may challenge assumptions, make candid observations when appropriate, and encourage parties to explore multiple solutions. Post Mediation If all issues are not resolved during mediation, I follow up, encourage continued engagement and exploration of additional options, and stay focused on reaching a settlement.

Highly proficient with virtual platforms including Zoom, MS Teams, and Cisco Webex, and experienced in conducting mediations and facilitations virtually. Skilled in using collaborative tools such as Google Workspace, Dropbox, DocuSign, and virtual whiteboards like Miro and FacilitatePro to support seamless document sharing, engagement, and visual collaboration.

Syracuse University (JD-2006); Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs (MA, International Relations-2006); Earlham College (BA, Peace and Global Studies-2002).

Admitted to the Bar: New York (2007).

American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution.

ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference 2025: Bridging Divides: Proactive Conflict Resolution in a Polarized World. Mediator trainer for the Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Federal Executive Board, National Capital Region Shared Neutrals, State Department, and Kosovo Academy of Justice. Frequent speaker and trainer on mediation, negotiation, and conflict management skills for federal agencies, courts, and private groups.

Washington, DC

Hourly Rate: $500.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $500.00/hr Cancellation: $2,500.00/Day Cancellation Period: 1 Days Comment:

English

United States of America

Burke, Virginia