Stephanie Leffler – PresidentStephanie (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 PresidentPaul 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 – TreasurerMiles 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 – SecretaryMy 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 – DirectorJennifer 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 Email: [email protected] |
Steve Leskin – DirectorSteve is currently serving on the Standards and Practices Committee. He has spent twenty-five years as a trial attorney in Oregon specializing in tort and professional malpractice litigation, federal administrative law, and domestic relations. I am an experienced trial attorney with hundreds of mediations, arbitrations, and administrative hearings. Long-time municipal judge and two-term Assistant Disciplinary Counsel. I am experienced in all areas of law practice management and technology. I have been focused almost exclusively on mediation and arbitration since January 2023. My non legal experience includes founding the companies DeNovo Decisions and Pleading Technologies. I was the Port Manager for the Port of Siuslaw from 2016 to 2017, and I have a background in computer coding. Email: [email protected] |
Jeff Edelson – DirectorJeff 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 – DirectorConnie 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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OMA Committees
Committees
Advocacy
Conveners: [email protected]
The Advocacy Committee is comprised of members who help track legislation and other public policies that affect the practice of mediation. Committee members develop information to share with OMA members, develop responses for the Board to consider making to specific legislation, and, when needed, attend hearings to either hear testimony or make statements about proposed rules and regulations. Ideally, committee members have experience and knowledge of public processes and/or the ability to research and track laws, rules, and regulations.
Communications
Conveners: [email protected]
The Communications Committee is in the process of forming a new team to help keep members and others informed and engaged across a variety of platforms. We are looking to fill roles that range from Social Media Manager to Blog and Flash Editors to Content Provider. Whether you are interested in helping build out and manage a platform or occasionally provide content, we have a role for you. Contact the co-conveners for more information.
Conference
Conveners: [email protected]
This committee designs, plans and implements OMA’s Annual Fall Conference. Because of the many tasks to be done to put on the Conference, this committee is OMA’s largest in terms of active participants. It meets monthly from January through October.
Education
Conveners: [email protected]
This committee works to support, sponsor, and promote educational programs, trainings, and workshops for mediators and those interested in mediation. This includes supporting the fall conference, spring training, and more. Core to OMA certification is ongoing training designed to increase mediation quality throughout the State. The committee will be working closely with Oregon Centers for Conflict Resolution, as well as institutes of higher education and private trainers throughout the State.
Member Services
Conveners: [email protected]
The Membership Committee is all about helping members connect to OMA, and each other. We also work to increase the value of OMA membership. The committee helps plan and host networking and social events, represent the interests of members by finding innovative ways to enhance membership benefits, and acknowledge members for achievements and contributions to OMA.
Standards and Practices
Conveners: Kate Hall, [email protected] Steven Leskin [email protected]
Paul Allen [email protected]
This committee considers other issues that impact the practice of mediation in Oregon and/or the ethical standards of OMA member mediators. In doing so, this team develops, reviews, and implements a wide variety of guidelines for the development and practice of mediation in Oregon. These inclue:
- Core Standards of Mediation Practice
- Voluntary Mediation Process for Resolving Disputes with OMA Mediators,
- Model Guidelines for Private Practice Mediator Education, Training, and Experience
- “Ask OMA” columns and other OMA Newsletter articles.
For full details, visit the Guidelines for Mediators page.
Technology
Conveners: [email protected]
The Technology committee is not only responsible for reviewing and updating all of the OMA technology, including phones, computers, media and sound systems, but it is in charge of the development and implementation of OMA’s web presence. This committee also makes recommendations for how to update our current systems with regards to efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Please contact the committee conveners or the OMA Office if you are interested in learning more or joining any of the above committees!
Other Committees
Other committees that exist for the orderly functioning and governance of OMA, and which report to the OMA Board, include:
Executive Committee
Convener: Stephanie Leffler, OMA President, [email protected]
This committee includes OMA’s Board Officers. The committee oversees the operations of the Board and helps to bring to the strategic, long-range development of the organization. When OMA has paid staff, the Executive Director reports to this committee and through it to the Board the monthly progress that has been made in support of the business and operational goals set forth by the Board.
Finance Committee
Convener: Miles Mabray, Treasurer [email protected]
This committee assists the OMA Board of Directors in its oversight responsibilities relating to fiscal management. It reviews and recommends approval of an annual operating budget, reviews financial results, ensures the maintenance of an appropriate financial management structure and oversees the management of organization-wide financial assets.
Nominating Committee
Convener: The OMA Board of Directors, [email protected]
This committee coordinates the process for recruiting new members to the OMA Board of Directors.