Mediator Dr. Pat 2019, Director

 Dr. Pat brings a wealth of wisdom & experience to our Board of Directors.  She is retired from the American Postal Workers’ Union as a National Officer, and is the APWU National Convention Western Region Retiree Delegate.  She received her Doctorate Degree in Psychology, Mediation/Conflict Resolution.  Pat has served as an arbitration & mediation advocate for the American Postal Workers' Union AFL-CIO. 

After acquiring a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mandy practiced  law representing minors in juvenile delinquency and dependency court proceedings.  A passionate advocate for children and families, Mandy believes that mediation can help families move past conflicts and teach skills to build better relationships. Mandy is a mediator with Centinela Youth Services and the mother of three children. 

 A real living hero, Naomi stepped-up to become the program's first Mediation Coordinator, when we went on-line in 2020, when families needed us most.  Naomi has worked with the L.A. County Bar Association and the L.A. City Attorney’s Office.  She is a retired Project Manager, Trainer, and Quality Analyst.  Nellie has also worked with Grace Resources as a Visitation Supervisor, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).   

 A National Mediation Board, 

Washington, District of Columbia, USA mediator, professor, and Mediators Beyond Boarders International, Board of Directors, Victoria has been an SCFM mediator since 2016.

Barry brings enthusiasm and a passion for helping others achieve their potential.  An Organizational Development Consultant for 30 years, Barry coaches individuals and groups to improve communication and address conflicts to reach resolution through authenticity and his ability to build trust. He quickly and effectively builds strong relationships to achieve long-lasting outcomes. Barry has a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior.

 John is a graduate of USC Gould School of Law, ADR & MDR.  He is experienced with Superior Court cases including real estate contracts, construction defects, inheritance, and HAOAHE.  

"Mediation is the art of turning conflict into opportunity." 

mediationguaranteed.com

  Dr. Weissman received his Doctor of Pharmacy from USC, and his law degree from Loyola Law School.  He was appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the USC School of Pharmacy. He also teaches Medical Controversies and The Law.  He has authored two textbooks. Dr. Weissman has been honored by his students by being chosen as one of the outstanding teachers of the year four times during the last 17 years. Dr. Weissman was certified as a mediator by Loyola Law School.  

 Bouchra is an experienced mediator and conflict resolution consultant, specializing in areas of family, community and cross-cultural conflicts. She received her master’s degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace-building from CSUDH. Bouchra speaks Arabic, French and Spanish and is very known for her natural ability to connect and relate to people, which allows her to achieve effective, long lasting and mutually satisfying resolutions. 

Michelle began practicing law in 1990, handling cases in both the state and the federal court systems.  She has worked  for the presiding judge of L.A. County Superior Court, trained with and judged peer mediation for Western Justice Center, and clerked for a Family Law firm. Throughout her years of practice, she has been most fulfilled through her experience resolving disputes via ADR measures, having worked as an arbitrator, with BBB, and now as a mediator.  She is presently thrilled to be working with SCFM to resolve conflict through mediation, a very rewarding experience! 

Andy is a mediator who truly believes in the art of helping others. After more than 40 years serving diverse communities in Southern California, he continues to dedicate himself to assisting those in conflict through mediation. He received his Masters in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University, and now focuses on mediating employment, family, and business disputes. Andy is a mediator who will utilize his experiences to help guide parties to find pathways to resolution they can live with.

Mediator Annie is a professor and mediator during the week, and a certified yoga/meditation teacher and children’s book author on the weekends. No matter what she is doing, her purpose is always to be in the service of others.  Annie was born in India but grew up in So Cal. She holds a Doctorate degree in Psychology. 

 
Annie received her 40-Hour Mediation Skills Training from the American Institute of Mediation in 2001 and also earned her 100-Hour Meditation Teacher Training Certificate from UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) in 2020.

Maya graduated with honors from Texas Christian University with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Film, Television, and Digital Media. She returned home to the Los Angeles area and attended Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (LMU). Maya focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), thriving in negotiations and mediation. She completed her mediation certification in 2017 and was admitted to the State Bar of California to practice law in 2018.

J.D. and Principal at Koenig Mediation, LLC, I specialize in Family Mediation in the areas of prenuptial arrangements, divorce, co-parenting plans, and family business related matters. My main focus is to assist families in conflict to develop creative ways to solve problems, knowledge building and personal empowerment. I am Fluent in Spanish & English.

 Talia completed her BA, LLB cum laude in South Africa, and her LLM Masters of Laws in Conflict Resolution cum laude at Pepperdine. She practiced commercial Law for 7 years. She teaches Yoga and Mindfulness, is passionate about health and wellness, and believes in a holistic way of living.  Talia is an advocate for Foster Children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. 

Ron became certified by the National Association of Certified Mediators, and has worked with Cal. Lawyers for the Arts.  He mediates with CCR, the Riverside Community Action Partnership, the Arts, Arbitration, and Mediation Services of L.A., and United ADR.   He is the owner 

of Magnum Mediation.

Ron has a BSc. Honors Degree in Theatre and an MA Honors in Education and Instructional Technology. 

Elizabeth is a licensed California attorney and a Certified Family Law Specialist. In 2018, after a 25-year full-time career in family law litigation, she became a full-time divorce mediator in Menifee, CA.  In 2021, Elizabeth obtained a Masters of Law in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. Elizabeth currently handles child-centered disputes, as a compassionate and caring full time mediator. She also serves on the Riverside Superior Court’s Family Law panel of mediators.   www.mcvickersfamilylawmediation.com 

 Shirley is SCFM's amazing Systems Administrator and a leader of our administrative team!  She holds a Master's degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. She is a trilingual mediator with a deep understanding of the many dimensions of intercultural disputes.  
A genuine hero, Shirley stepped-up to provide critical systems & technical support for the SCFM mediation team, when COVID struck in 2020. 

 With over a decade of experience, Sarah has established herself as an esteemed legal professional mediator and Director of Operations at a conflict resolution focused firm. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice and has trained at the Center for Dispute Resolution,  Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Lipscomb University Institute for Conflict Management, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law.  

 Leslie entered the mediation community in 2001. Her experiences serving L.A. Superior Court ADR Panel, CAMP, and CYS allowed her to mediate a broad range of cases. She currently serves SCFM and participates on the LACBA Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Service, for both mediation and arbitration. Drawing upon her 35-year Interior Design business, Leslie’s mediation private practice integrates but is not limited to her diverse professional background including construction, architecture, custom manufacturing, textiles, and international shipping.  Leslie has been active with SCMA since 2007 and served 5 years as Secretary on their Board of Directors and 7 years as chair of the Outreach and Collaboration Committee.  

Eve has a dynamic background with a myriad of skills that complement the art of 

mediation.  Eve is an entrepreneur, owning multiple business. She received her master’s degrees in education and mass communications.  She is described by those who know her as genuine, a great listener and one who truly cares about the well being of others.  Her kind, yet tenacious, spirit along with her unassuming nature lends itself well in 

building a trusting rapport with others. This often bodes well in helping to resolve 

conflicts.  Eve is elated to be a member of the SCFM family and on every mediation day looks forward to assisting in the lives of children and the adults who love them.

A native Angeleno, a California-licensed labor lawyer since 2000, and a mediator since early 2016, Aaron has mediated hundreds of cases with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, the City Attorney’s office, the Center for Conflict Resolution, and Centinela Youth Services. In addition to his private practice, Aaron's also the mediation program director for the Los Angeles office of California Lawyers for the Arts and a panel arbitrator with the Los Angeles County Bar Association.  https://www.cultivatingconsensus.com/ 

  Jackie brings to the mediation experience enthusiasm for the process, empathy and good will for the parties and a focused intention to facilitate a best-case agreement. She is a certified mediator with Centinela Youth Services and a panelist with LA City’s Neighborhood Justice Program. Her focus is on strengthening families and rebuilding communities through transformative mediation and restorative justice programs. 

  Peggy earned her Doctor of Philosophy in toxicology from Indiana University and has more than 45 years of experience in the research and development of new medicines and medical devices. She was bestowed the honor of Fellow by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society and has served as an Adjunct Professor, CSUCI, and on the Board of Directors or Advisory Board for multiple organizations. With a passion for freeing and restoring the lives of victims of human trafficking and mentoring and advocating for youth at risk, Peggy began mediating in 2019 after completing initial training at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law.

With a passion for helping everyday people communicate and advocate for themselves and their communities, Laura has dedicated her career to finding innovative and inclusive approaches to step into conflict. She has successfully assisted small businesses, families, and community members in resolving various conflicts, including Boundary-Setting, Reunification, Parenting Plans, Pet Custody Agreements, Divorce Decisions, Elder Care, and more. Schedule a free consultation at  https://calendly.com/lorberlm/mediation-consultation.

Nina started her journey to SCFM  as a Probation Officer and Petitioner for Domestic Violence cases, and as an Assistant District Attorney for the East Boston District Court.  She went on to practice International Law for 25 years in Italy and Switzerland, as Director of Legal and Compliance and co-owner of a Trust & Estate Planning Intermediary Firm.   She is trilingual in Italian, German and English. 

Today, her missions are to help find ways to minimize and prevent conflict in family systems for the sake of children and to promote her vision of a holistic and transformative approach to Reconciliation. 

Nina is thankful for her three children, her source of awe, joy, inspiration & humility. 

  Rick founded Finding Dialog Mediation, and helps people find safer dialogue during crucial conversations. And is a Certified Family Mediator with a master's in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University. Besides helping folks find safer dialogue, he created scripted and directed dialogue for presentations and training, including achieving United Way Volunteer of the Year for the then Austin Texas Child and Family Services Plays for Living Program. He appreciates the holistic spiritual possibilities of Family mediation and the mindfulness of daily yoga practice.

After acquiring a JD from UCLA Law School, Leigh practiced in the field of family law for many years.  She is a bilingual, Spanish & English, mediator with Centinela Youth Services (CYS).  Leigh was the 2019 CYS Mediator of the Year.  She received the William C. Hobbs award from the County of Los Angeles, and received the Giving Peace A Chance Awards from SCFM in 2023.

 Kathy, who earned a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution from CSUDH, has 10+ years of experience developing and implementing a family court voluntary settlement program that trains and supervises volunteer mediators to empower litigants to make important decisions for themselves so that the Court does not have to step in and decide for them. Now retired, Kathy looks forward to giving back to the community as a volunteer herself.

  As an advocate for children and families, Zarina mediates with a unique blend of expertise, compassion, and intention. She owns and operates Align 2Day, a company designed to offer a safe place for children to have contact with a non-custodial parent. Zarina is currently pursuing a law degree from Purdue University Global with a focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

SCFM Co-Founder & Executive Director, Mediator L Randy Drew, has the privilege of serving this amazing team of peacemakers.  He earned an advanced degree in business and dispute resolution, MBA-ADR, from Pepperdine University, in 2009.   His background includes: Aerospace, Project Management, Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Carpentry.   Sometimes, when you find mediation, mediation finds you.  Conflict can be engaged with more successfully & less harmfully.  If the people don't decide, it's not mediation.   

International peacemaker, educator, and author of several books including Mediating Dangerously and Crossroads of Conflict.  When we say that we are standing on the shoulders of giants, Ken is the greatest example of to whom we are referring.

Leyla is a distinguished family law mediator with a wealth of experience and expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). At the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, she mentors other mediators, guiding them in resolving complex cases that impact the lives of children. Her mediation services include a range of life issues. 

https://balakhanemediation.com/ 

University of Southern California, School of Law, Judith O. Hollinger Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation Clinic Director.