Board of Directors & OMA Staff 2024

Stephanie Leffler – President 

Stephanie (she / her) began her career in wood products in the 1980’s working her way up to manage teams in male-dominated industries. She has worked in manufacturing, retail, wholesale, restaurant, public, and non-profit industries in executive and leadership roles. She spent most of her career in Human Resources. Her areas of expertise include mediating workplace conflict and negotiation of collective bargaining contracts. She enjoys helping folks through organizational change and coaching executives on the most difficult subject matters.

Stephanie holds degrees in criminal justice, management, human resources, and is a senior certified human resource professional through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM). She is a certified mediator. Stephanie began volunteering at Neighbor-To-Neighbor Mediation (CDRC) in 2013 and completed her training that year. She very much enjoys mentoring people and helping them become business owners and leaders.

Email: [email protected]

Paul Allen – Vice President 

Paul was formally on the OMA standards and practices committee, former OMA board member, and mediation practitioner. He is a positive realist, lover of human beings, curiosity, wisdom of many years of experience. 

In 1970, I was an expectant father starting my career. My first promotion was to sweeper.  I chose to excel; people smiled and appreciated me! My Secret to success! 50+ years later, bestowed with a myriad of accomplishments, I continue to love who I am becoming!  Please consider this thought: Trust me, it is much easier to love others when you first love yourself. 

Email: [email protected]

Miles Mabray – Treasurer

Miles is currently the Executive Director, Center for Dialogue and Resolution in Eugene.

In 2012 I started my graduate degree in conflict and dispute resolution. Over the course of that program and related endeavors I worked in Israel and Palestine, volunteered and contracted as an international dialogue facilitator, served on the Board and worked as Executive Director of a mediation center in Oregon, served on the Board of the National Association for Community Mediation, and mediated or facilitated hundreds of community conflicts and meetings. In addition to this holistic experience in the mediation field I also hold a degree and seven years of experience at the Executive Director level of nonprofit agencies.

Email: [email protected]

Ms. Jackie Folis – Secretary

My name is Mrs. Jackie R. Follis, married 17yrs to Harold A. Follis Vietnam Veteran.  I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Human Behavior, currently working on Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology specializing in Clinical Counseling.  I’m a Certified Alcohol Drug Addiction (CADCII) counselor, Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-R), Certified Mediator, Certified Addictions Gambling Counselor (CGAC-R) along with several certifications.  I’m a board member for the Marion County Mental Health Advisory Committee, and member of the Citizen Review Board Marion County.  I’ve worked in the field of addiction for more than 5yrs working with persons presenting with severe illicit substance use disorders and mental health illness.  I enjoy educating others, nurturing my plants, researching, and spending time with my husband.

Email: [email protected]

Jennifer Hardnett – Director 

Jennifer Hardnett, the visionary founder and CEO of Lionjevity, Inc., brings over 15 years of experience and knowledge in government contracting, contract management, community engagement, and strategic planning. Born and raised in Oregon, Jennifer has traveled to every county in the state, witnessing firsthand the beauty and opportunities for the betterment of all  Oregonians. As a Certified Mediator and a member of the Oregon Mediation Association Board of Directors, Jennifer employs her conflict resolution skills to foster collaboration and understanding. She is also recognized as a sought-after economic development planner, contributing her expertise to regional growth and prosperity. In addition, her commitment to community development is further demonstrated through her service on the East Portland Community Investment Trust board. As a hands-on leader, she actively participates in campaigning and organizational outreach, working closely with community partners and government agencies. Her dedication and trustworthiness have established Lionjevity as a preferred partner in the
community, known for its effective collaboration and impactful results. Jennifer’s passion
for positive change and her strategic vision continue to drive her founded corporation,
Lionjevity’s success, and its mission to create safer, more resilient communities.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Leskin – Director

Email: [email protected]

Jeff Edelson – Director

Jeff has been licensed to practice law since 1986. During his legal career, he has represented clients in more than 2,000 civil cases in countless business, real estate, and employment sectors. Jeff has been a legal aid lawyer, a federal judicial law clerk, a commercial litigator, and a private arbitrator. In 2022, he transitioned to become a full-time mediator, while remaining a law partner at the Portland law firm of Markowitz Herbold PC. Jeff has recently completed a 40-hour training program called “Mediating the Litigated Case” at the renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law. In addition to private compensated mediation, Jeff is on the Multnomah County Small Claims Court mediation panel, where he conducts pro bono mediations for pro se litigants. During his career, he has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice and the Lake Oswego Corporation. Jeff will bring all of his professional experiences to the OMA Board. He hopes to help elevate the OMA to become the center of the Oregon mediation community in terms of education, training, marketing, support, and recognition.

Email: [email protected]

Connie McKelvey – Director

Connie is an attorney who has served as an active litigator of civil disputes since 1983.  In that capacity,  she  has also seen the power of mediation to resolve disputes without the risks, uncertainty, and expense of litigation.  Connie’s legal practice has focused on the defense of professionals including physicians, medical clinics, dentists, and hospitals as well as attorneys and law firms. She has substantial experience with claims involving sexual misconduct or boundary issues.  She has tried to defense verdict numerous professional liability claims. She also assists clients outside the courtroom, including representation before health care licensing boards, professional peer review, regulatory issues, HIPAA compliance, and contract disputes.

Connie is respected by both sides of the bar for her compassion and professionalism.  She has been regularly endorsed as one of the top lawyers nationwide by the most respected peer review organizations in the nation including Martindale-Hubbell, the Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who in American Law and Super Lawyers. In 2021 her peers recognized her as Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year for Health Care Law and in 2022 they recognized her as Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year for Legal Malpractice Law- Defendants.

Connie has a special interest in alternative dispute resolution of professional liability claims and is certified by the American Health Lawyers Association as Dispute Resolution Neutral which gives her the opportunity to resolve disputes involving health care providers, including disagreements between hospitals and clinics, disputes between providers, and pre-litigation resolution of claims by patients against health care providers. She has expanded her practice to mediation of all types of claims after undergoing extensive mediation training through the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine School of Law during COVID 19. She has been a participant in hundreds of mediations and has now actively facilitating mediations.  Connie joined the Board as she is relatively new to serving as a mediator and she would like to get to know and learn from others.

Email: [email protected]

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