Symbolism of an Olive Branch

Jonathan has held multiple leadership positions over the past 15 years with 8 years specifically focused on non-profit consulting.  He has experience working & consulting with the Boards of local and national nonprofit organizations.  Currently he serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Prestige Hospitality Group.  Jonathan earned his MBA from SUNY Empire State College, has a BS in Accounting, and an Advanced Certificate in Financial Management and Analysis.

Shira May is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Dispute Settlement, Rochester, New York. Dr. May was previously Executive Director at Partners In Restorative Initiatives (PiRI), where she managed a vital community organization that helps build relationships, strengthen communities, and repair harm in schools, community organizations, and the criminal justice system.

Wilma Jozwiak is a former trainer for Special Education Mediators in New York State and former coordinator of statewide activities for the NYS OSEP State Improvement Grant. As a former long-time consultant to NYSDRA, her expertise was key to program expansion and improvement. Ms. Jozwiak is a former Adjunct Instructor at the College of Saint Rose and volunteers her time on a number of area boards of directors.

Mary is the Senior Accountant for Protect Democracy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit aimed at ensuring our nation’s democracy by means of protecting free and fair elections, countering disinformation, and defending the rule of law. Mary’s past experiences have included working as an accountant for the New York State Bar Association, CDPHP, and Capitol Hill Management Associates. 

Mary brings a wealth of knowledge in maintaining various organizations’ financial functions, overseeing and building upon internal controls, and maintaining compliance with US GAAP. 

Mary has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from SUNY Empire State University. 

Dr. Bernie Tracy has had an eclectic career, blessing her with experiences in the cultural work worlds of higher education, corporate America, state/federal governments, and community organization development. Most recently, Dr. Tracy has concentrated on sharing, strengthening, and broadening her knowledge and skills in interpersonal communications, mediation, and negotiation processes. She is a practicing organizational and personal consultant/ coach, mediator, and facilitator/trainer. 

She is currently is a member of: Advisory Board of Office of the Aging, Advisory Board of Relatives as Parents Program(RAAP), Advisory Board of Family Court Child Care Center, Member of Court Improvement Project, Member of National Association of Professional Women, Board Member of NYSDRA since 2018. She is a former member of the New York State CASA Board where she served from 2013 to 2015.

Donna began her career at the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) in 1991, held various positions and has been the Executive Director since 2015. During this time she was involved in the development and implementation of the majority of new programs and contracts. Donna has been a certified Mediator since 1994. Prior to the DRC, Donna was a Federal Employee at West Point Military Academy for 22 years.

She is currently is a member of: Advisory Board of Office of the Aging, Advisory Board of Relatives as Parents Program(RAAP), Advisory Board of Family Court Child Care Center, Member of Court Improvement Project, Member of National Association of Professional Women, Board Member of NYSDRA since 2018. She is a former member of the New York State CASA Board where she served from 2013 to 2015.

Niki's mediation experience began in California working with the early development of Community Mediation Programs where she developed Small Claims Mediation for The City of Santa Maria. Since her move to New York in 1999 she has served as a volunteer mediator, earning the honor of the Orange County Dispute Resolution Center’s Richard Ramlow Award, The Orange County Legislature’s Distinguished Community Service Award and the NYSDRA President’s Award for Co- development of the ‘Collaborative Governing Program’. She serves as a Lemon Law and Attorney Fee arbitrator. Niki is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is certified with the National Board of Certified Counselors. She holds Certifications in Biomedical Ethics, Strategic Intervention Coaching, Anger Resolution Therapy, has served as administrator of Alzhiemer's Facilities and is a nationally published author on ‘Abuse Investigation In Long Term Care Facilities’. Niki feels honored to serve as a NYSDRA Board member.

Denise Ellison is a CDRC mediator. She apprenticed with the Westchester Rockland Mediation Center, served as a volunteer mediator with the IMCR in the Bronx, and received her basic training in mediation from The New York Peace Institute in 2013. An African-American passionate about racial justice, Denise is excited about the enormous potential for community mobilization to facilitate racial healing. Denise’s experience includes tenure as a Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs-NYS Division of Human Rights.

John Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer with Community Mediation Services, Inc. (CMS). In this role, John leads a team of professionals providing services to thousands of youth, families and community residents along with institutions throughout the borough of Queens. He has worked with the organization since 1998 and has served in the capacity of Program Director, Director of Youth Development and Entrepreneurial Services and Sr. Associate Executive Director.

John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the State University of New York at Old Westbury and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. A strong advocate of positive youth development, John has more than 25 years of experience working with at risk youth and families. John is a co-founder of Rockaway Men United; a male empowerment program that focused on the personal and academic development of young men of color. He has been recognized as a “Community Hero” because of his community service work and has served as a voluntary youth basketball coach for more than 15 years.

Love is a peacebuilding and conflict transformation practitioner. Prior to launching the global consulting firm, Unsiloed, she was the inaugural Associate Dean of Conflict Resolution at Cornell University where she developed policies and programs that use ADR tools and bias monitoring data to respond to bias incidents and community crisis. Prior, she trained hundreds of Peace Corps volunteers pre-deployment and consulted with the United Nations Development Programs in Africa, the Middle East, and the United States. Leading with extensive interdisciplinary experiences, Love is passionate about driving systemic change, foster learning, facilitating dialogue, that redefines human relations, and promotes inclusion. A mediation professor at NYU, Love serves on several boards and initiatives.

Kim has been Director of Ontario/Yates Counties for the Center for Dispute Settlement since 2007. A non-practicing attorney, Kim mediates Community, Custody and Visitation, Parent/Teen, Divorce and Special Education cases for the Center. She has facilitated organizational strategic planning and board retreats for non-profits and has extensive non-profit board experience. She is a UCS certified Basic Mediation Trainer, and also provides training in Restorative Practices, Communication and Conflict Management and Leadership Development.

Alison Ritchie is a dedicated member of the NYSDRA Board of Directors and a former NYSDRA staff member. Her deep understanding and appreciation for the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in communities have fueled her commitment to supporting the field once again through her work on the board.

Alison has over 20 years of experience in association management, event planning, and volunteer coordination. Before joining NYSDRA in 2007, she worked with various statewide industry groups, including Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds, Psychologists, and Dispute Resolution professionals. Her career includes notable roles such as Director of Member Services & Event Planning and Director of Operations at the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), where she oversaw a 170-exhibitor trade show and a fall conference, while managing the database, website, communications, and membership activities.

In November 2018, Alison joined NYACS as Director of Membership and Events and was promoted to Director of Operations in July 2022. Recently, she was appointed President of NYACS, becoming the fifth person to hold this position in the organization's 38-year history.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Providence College and is a graduate of the Empire State Society of Association Executives’ Association Leadership Academy. She remains passionate about advancing NYSDRA’s mission and the broader field of ADR.

Gregg has served as a trainer and mediator for the Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers for over a decade, providing in service training for EAC mediators on culture and how it can impact the mediation process.

Additionally, Gregg brings over 10 years of experience in higher education as an adjunct professor. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses (in-person and online) in marketing and management disciplines, with a focus on the importance of communication skills and management leadership development. 

Gregg has a BA in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Sociology, a Master of Science in Restorative Practices, and an MBA. He also holds a leadership certificate from Adelphi University and is a licensed trainer for circles by the International Institute of Restorative Practices.

Will Sawma is a dedicated professional with experience in conflict resolution since 2012. He has been a volunteer, coordinator, and director within Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) to foster peaceful resolutions and strengthen communities. His passion is to support individuals and communities in their pursuit of constructive conflict resolution.

Currently the Director for the Dispute Resolution Center of Catholic Charities, Will plays a pivotal role in overseeing CDRC operations, recruiting and training volunteers, and establishing partnerships with local government bodies and community organizations. With a focus on long-term goals and strong programs, he aims to empower individuals and promote understanding. Through these efforts, Will creates a safe and inclusive environment for dialogue and negotiation. His dedication stems from a genuine desire to support others and advance the field of mediation and dispute resolution, positively impacting individuals and communities in the process.

Gina Tinker-Williams, Executive Director of CDRC Programs, has served CDRC as staff member since 1999.  She has mediated, conflict coached and facilitated multi-party cases in a wide variety of settings, including workplace, home, public forums, faith communities, nursing facilities, schools, and social service centers.  Gina provides Mediator & Conflict Resolution Skills Trainings and a coach for Conflict Coaching Training on a local, and state level.  As a veteran mediator/trainer/conflict coach and the recipient of intensive and advanced trainings, Gina holds a deep belief in the power of alternative dispute resolution skills to transform conflict interaction, strengthen relationships, and build community. In January 2023, Gina Tinker Williams was selected by the CDRC Board of Directors to be the fourth person in the agency history to serve as CDRC Executive Director.