THE FAMILY MEDIATION CENTRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors for WILL Employment Solutions
Allison is an accredited family mediator (Acc. F.M.) through the Ontario Association of Family Mediation and a member of the Family Mediation Centre. Allison obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph. She is also a practicing family and estates lawyer and member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. Allison regularly works with clients in high conflict family disputes both inside and outside of the courtroom. Allison has a passion for working with families to resolve their family law matters in an amicable, efficient, and cost-effective manner through mediation and negotiation. She particularly enjoys assisting clients to come up with creative solutions in their parenting plans that suit the individual needs of each family unit. As a trained family lawyer and mediator serving the Southwestern Ontario community, Allison is qualified to resolve matters concerning property division and financial issues, parenting time, decision-making, child and spousal support, divorce, and ancillary issues concerning a family separation both for married and non-married spouses.
Allison is an active member of the Board of Directors for WILL Employment Solutions.
Outside of work, Allison enjoys cooking, growing her vegetable garden, spending time with her family, hiking, and travelling to different countries to explore new places and try the local cuisine.
Bella Waterton is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. Bella has completed the mandatory mediation training through York University in 2020.
A travel and tourism professional, Bella has worked as wilderness guide from Antarctica to the high Arctic since 2005. Most recently, Bella managed a polar bear lodge on the shores of Hudson Bay, south of Churchill, MB. Although Bella has managed conflict resolution throughout her professional guiding career, she chose to make it official by pursuing mediation training in 2020.
Bella studied psychology and legal studies at Carleton University from 2010-2014. Bella has always had a passion for conflict resolution and enjoys assisting families work through challenges to come to a resolution that works for all members involved.
Bella currently works as a Caseworker with the OPS and assists people on social assistance obtain access to the programs and support they require within their community. Bella continues to attend yearly training, including conferences focused on domestic violence. Bella enjoys learning and continues her learning path by reading, listening and engaging with legal professionals. As a result of Bella's extensive time spent in northern communities, Bella has a keen interest in assisting Indigenous people and communities.
During her off time, Bella enjoys the outdoors, skiing, running and paddling with her partner and dog.
Breanne holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom) and a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Paralegal Studies from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Breanne is an accredited professional Family Mediator by the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM) in 2015 and mediates On-Site and Off-site with The Family Mediation Centre throughout southwestern Ontario. Breanne mediates a full variety of family issues, including separation and divorce, custody and access, parenting plans, child and spousal support, and property division. She has a child-centered approach to her mediation practice and is committed to helping families resolve issues out of court in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Breanne has conducted more than 500 hours of mediation and drafted more than 100 memorandums of understanding. Breanne also provides Information Referral Services (IRC) and presents the Mandatory Information Program. Breanne is an active volunteer with the Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex and with St. Leonard's Community Services in the Youth Justice Committee Circle program.
Sekoh, My name is Brenda Maracle Buis I come from Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. I am a certified Executive Coach from both the Coaches Training institute and J.F.K University, California. Diploma in Executive Conflict Management from both the Stitt Feld Handy Group and the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor. I am on the George Hall Roster for ADR, Alternate Dispute Resolution specializing in Family Group, also in working with how to incorporate the child's wishes and interests. Diploma in Social service Worker, Loyalist College inconjunction with Anishinabek Education Institute specializing in First Nations learnings. Accredited Family Mediator, AccFm, on the OAFM roster. Nia wen
Brian has provided Family Mediation and Child Protection Mediation with the Family Mediation Centre from 2000 and with Mediation North since 2011.
Brian conducts mediations On-Site and Off-Site throughout Southwestern and Northern Ontario. Brian is also called upon to mediate civil matters and regularly coaches mediation trainings for Ontario Government Ministries, Agencies and in the private sector.
Brian brings rich experience in business and government administration.
Brian continues to play competitive hockey and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Carolyn Brown is an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.FM) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators since 2019 and received her certification in Child Inclusive Mediation and Voice of the Child Reports in 2021.
She has a degree in Social Sciences from the University of Windsor and is Level One and Two Certified in Violent Threat Risk Assessment and has been trained in Custody and Access Disputes Within Child Protection Investigations along with completing courses in Anti-Oppressive Practice and Theory
Carolyn has been mediating parenting plans and interviewing children and youth for Voice of the Child Reports for mediation in private practice since 2020.
Carolyn worked for over 18 years in Child Welfare with roles in front line child protection investigations, kinship assessments and fostering and adoption.
While working in Child Welfare, Carolyn developed extensive skills in conflict resolution, assessing risk and interviewing children with both informal and forensic methods. For much of her career in child welfare, Carolyn worked in First Nation communities, working collaboratively with the Nation.
Carolyn has worked with many families experiencing conflict, trauma and those who are impacted by substance misuse and mental illness.
Helping families work out their own solutions to their disputes and interviewing children and youth to allow their views and preferences to be heard is something that Carolyn is passionate about.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Cathi Wentworth, B.A. (Western) has been an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM) since 2011 is also a Child Protection Mediator, (CPMed OAFM).
Cathi has been mediating both Onsite, for parties who are involved in court process, and Offsite, for parties who may or may not be involved in court, since 2011 with the court-connected mediation services at the courts in Woodstock, Stratford, Owen Sound, the Ontario Courts of Justice in Toronto (47 Sheppard Ave. E., and 311 Jarvis) and since 2014 at the Superior Court of Justice, Family Branch in Oshawa.
Cathi is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC).
Job Titles:
- Information Referral Coordinator
Cathrin is an accredited Family Mediator and Intergenerational Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation since 2023. Cathrin has completed the mandatory family mediator training through Insightful Mediation Training, Windsor, ON. She is an Information Referral Coordinator (IRC) and Mediator with The Family Mediation Centre. After many moves, Cathrin immigrated to Canada from Germany in 2003. She calls Southwestern Ontario her home, admittedly the longest she has ever lived anywhere. She has extensive experience working with individuals, couples, families, and extended families, offering support during life transitions and in difficult times. Cathrin has held leadership positions within her faith community for over two decades, demonstrating her commitment to serving others. She works with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and belief systems, and is dedicated to promoting peace within her community and beyond. Cathrin holds a BTH from Switzerland and an MAPM from Switzerland in conjunction with the University of Wales. Additionally, she holds certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo and a Geriatric Certificate, McMaster University, Hamilton. Cathrin has professional proficiency in German and English and intermediate proficiency in French. Through calls on What's App Cathrin tries to keep her ear trained to Swiss German. Cathrin is a Board of Directors member for the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton-Kent and chairs the Low German Networking Committee offering educational events for service providers. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, planning trips, cooking for loved ones, and reading books in her backyard during the summer.
Dawn Melville has served the Windsor community and families throughout her professional career and has been involved in local not for profit organizations such as Harmony in Action (Past President), Windsor Residence for Young Men (Executive Member), the Inn of Windsor (Board of Directors). Dawn has been an active member within the Ontario Bar Association serving as an Executive Member, a Board Member and Council Member as well as the Past pPesident of the Essex Family Law Association.
Dawn has been a guest lecturer for the OBA, LSO and ELA and sessional instructor in Family Law at the University of Windsor. Her educational journey has included completing a Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution (2017) from Wayne State University after having completed an Honours degree in Psychology (1987) and Juris Doctor (1992) from the University of Windsor. Dawn have continued assisting families and has limited the areas of her legal practice to Family and Estate litigation.
In 2010 Dawn's journey into the area of mediation began with attending the Harvard Mediation Program (2010) and the Advanced Mediation Techniques at the Centre for Dispute Resolution in Washington, D.C. (2011) and obtained accreditation as Family Law Mediator. Dawn is one of the founding members of 4 Pillars initiative program in Windsor which offered mediation services through the Courts including off-site and on-site mediation services and has maintained my private mediation practice since 2011.
Doug is an accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), mediating professionally since 1991with the Family Mediation Centre. Doug has mediated more than 3500 hours and completing more than 350 Memorandums of understanding. Doug mediates cases Off-Site that are not in court and also mediates cases On-Site at the London Court House.
Doug completed a Bachelors of Social Work Degree (BSW) at King's College, University of Western Ontario in 1988. He completed a Master's of Social Work Degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1992. Doug's Master's research thesis was focused upon domestic violence treatment and prevention.
Doug started his professional career as a therapist at a London family counselling centre where he provided individual, couple, and family counselling for 12 years. Doug played a key role in the Agency's domestic violence treatment and prevention program. Doug was also an active member of the Agency's employee assistance program (EAP) team providing professional counselling services to local businesses and institutions. Doug continues to participate in training related to Domestic Violence identification and prevention.
Outside of his family mediation practice, Doug is an intermediary/negotiator active in the financial services sector.
Jim studied Civil Engineering at Mohawk College, graduating in 1993. He went on to work for more than 20 years within various Government organizations at the Federal, Provincial, and Indigenous community levels in key roles within the project management and political advisory fields. Jim has been a Family Mediator since 2017, accredited by the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. Jim received his Family Mediation and Restorative Practices Facilitator training through the Six Nations of the Grand River Community Justice Program. The Six Nations Justice Program is responsible for the administration of the Matrimonial Real Property Community Law that deals with property owned by community members that are going through the process of Separation and Divorce.
Jim is also a Facilitator/Trainer of the Indigenous Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. IDR is a framework comprised of Indigenous approaches to alternative dispute resolution utilizing traditional values and practices to resolve family conflicts. This IDR process was developed by Dr. Robert Antone and Dr. Richard Hill who mentored Jim to train child protection personnel working with indigenous families across Ontario. Jim incorporates IDR into all of his practices.
A highlight of Jim's career has been in servicing Indigenous communities. Jim is Haudenosaunee, Wolf Clan, Cayuga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand. He was one of the founding Commissioners of Ogwadeni:deo (Taking Care of Own). Ogwadeni:deo is the Child Protection Agency for Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
Community involvement is important to Jim. He currently works with the John Howard Society (JHS) of Hamilton & Burlington as a Restorative Practitioner and as a Co-Facilitator of court appointed services for those that are involved in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) that seek court diversion. Jim also works for the Centre for Conflict Resolution & Prevention (CCR&P) within the JHS Hamilton organization. Using Restorative Practices, he mediates conflicts in workplaces, schools and in the community at large. The aim is to allow both the "harmed" and the "harmer" to be heard by each other within a safe environment and then be provided a structured path to resolution. Jim also does preventative work in schools teaching children/youth (Grade 6-12) Restorative Practices which helps them to solve their conflicts and create restorative spaces.
Joanne Beasley is an accredited (OAFM) family mediator and member of the Family Mediation Centre, London since 2000.
Joanne is a practising family lawyer managing her busy law firm in London for 29 years. Her law firm is involved in a full practice of family law including divorce, custody, support, and property division.
Joanne has conducted mediations involving more than 1000 hours and prepared more than 225 memorandums of understanding. Joanne is also a Child Protection Roster Mediator on the Ontario Child Protection Mediation Roster and a Settlement Conference Facilitator for Legal Aid Ontario.
Her community involvement includes past Co-Chair of Investing in Children, Chair of Women's Community House (now ANOVA) and Chair of Board of Merrymount Children's Centre.
Johnette Kelly-Barrera is an accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM)(2012) and is also certified as a Child Protection Mediator (CP Med., OAFM 2013) with additional certificates in developing comprehensive Parenting Plans through Parent Coordination Training (2014) as well as Openness Adoption Mediation (OAFM, 2014). Johnette is also fully trained and experienced as an Information Referral Coordinator (2011).
Prior to becoming a mediator, Johnette worked in the field of Social Services with the Ministry of Community and Social Services for 30 years providing assistance to Ontarians in need of a hand up. Ten of those years were spent preparing and defending cases in Ontario Provincial Court (Family Division) securing financial support for children being raised on social assistance. Negotiated agreements were drafted by Johnette and either captured in Minutes of Settlement to a Court Order or in written agreements that were signed, witnessed, dated and filed with the Court and registered for enforcement. It was due to this experience that Johnette became an ambassador for mediation in resolving family court matters.
Johnette has been mediating professionally in Chatham-Kent and surrounding area mediating in Family cases involving the full range of Family Law issues. She mediates cases Off-Site that are not in court and also mediates cases On-Site in the Court house providing assistance to both represented and unrepresented clients at the request of clients, lawyers, duty counsel and the judiciary. She also has a modest private practice located in Chatham. With Johnette's assistance, clients generally reduce the number of Court appearances that could otherwise be necessary thereby saving both time and money for the clients and the legal system while relieving stress on both. Johnette also has experience mediating cases involving grandparents that have resulted in developing harmonious relationships that ultimately benefit the children and families involved. She also attends annual continuing education courses and training in Domestic Violence.
Johnette is also involved in the community in a variety of activities donating time and resources. She regularly volunteers as a Board Member with Chatham-Kent Restorative Justice; a program to assist in diverting youth from criminal charges and court experiences as well as providing safety training in schools.
When Johnette is not mediating she is passionate about reading, gardening, traveling and most especially spending time with her family and three grandchildren.
Julianne Momirov has been an accredited mediator since 2014. She brings her working background as a Family Law Clerk to the practice of family mediation, as well as her advanced educational background in Sociology and Political Science. She has taught at the university and college levels and is the primary author of the second (and proposed third) editions of Family Violence: A Canadian Introduction, published by Lorimer and used in post-secondary educational courses. She has successfully mediated many parenting plans, trying to help parents find more effective ways to communicate with one another and to foster respect and empathy. Julianne has two beautiful granddaughters and loves spending time with them. She shares her home with a Yorkipoo named Clementine and a Ragdoll cat named Napoleon. She enjoys painting animals and flowers, making crepe paper flowers, reading, and knitting in her spare time.
A tireless community builder and advocate for vulnerable communities, Kathleen was particularly passionate about supporting low-income families and mothers and children in violent situations. Her integrity and values guided her daily and shined throughout her life.
Called to the bar in 1976, Kathleen was only the second woman to practice family law in London, Ontario. In the early 1980's she successfully represented Ontario's first openly gay mother to obtain custody of her child, winning again when the decision was appealed. She also successfully represented a father, helping him obtain custody at a time when legal doctrine was to award custody of children under the age of seven to their mother.
Kathleen believed that mediation would reduce the trauma she saw inflicted on children and families by an adversarial, rigid, and costly legal court process. She founded The Family Mediation Centre (A Division of The Mediation Centre Inc.) in 1983 and began providing government-funded mediation services in London in 1995. By 2011, she was responsible for mediation services in almost half of all family courts in Ontario (including co-directing 11 courts across northern Ontario) through which thousands of families found support.
Kim is an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators (OAFM). Kim mediates on behalf of the Mediation Centre both on-site and off-site throughout Southwestern Ontario. During her career as a mediator, she has assisted parties with all family conflict issues, including parental decision-making and parenting times, child and spousal support, and division of property. Kim has completed over 200 hours of mediation experience and has drafted over 30 memoranda of understanding.
Kim holds a Master of Social Work degree and is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Her social work career includes providing therapy and counselling services for individuals, couples and families, and addiction counselling for men and women attending residential treatment. Kim has co-facilitated groups for children aged four through nine who have witnessed domestic violence as well as the Partner Assault Response group programming for men.
Prior to her career in social work, Kim was a family law clerk for more than 28 years. She specialized in assisting senior counsel with resolving contested parenting, child and spousal support issues, and division of net family property. Kim has interviewed hundreds of clients and trial witnesses and has prepared for and participated in hundreds of mediations, mediations/arbitrations, and trials in her role as a law clerk.
Kim is actively involved as a volunteer mediator with Community Justice Initiatives in the Community Mediation and Elder Mediation programs since 2018 and with Community Options for Justice since 2020 in the Youth Justice Committee Program and the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program.
When Kim is not mediating, she enjoys golfing, hiking and gardening.
Lori Clarke, B.A (Windsor) is an Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.FM) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators.
Lori's work in mediation began because of her experiences working at a Family Law Firm. Lori felt there needed to be a better way to resolve issues in separating couples that was more amicable, client friendly and child focused.
As a trained Family Law Mediator, Lori works with clients in the Windsor Essex Area to resolve parenting time, decision making, and financial issues between both married and non-married couples.
Lori has over twenty years experience working in the legal industry. She has worked both within a law firm and as an Instructor of Legal Assistant programs. Lori worked in the financial services industry before entering the legal field. This work experience along with her quest to never stop learning allow Lori to come up with creative solutions and options for families to resolve the issues between them in a cost effective, client-centred manner.
Lori has made Windsor her home since 1996. During this time she has served as a volunteer for several community organizations. She has a passion for dispute resolution, her family and her community.
Lori has a private mediation practice that assists clients throughout Windsor and Essex County create client centered resolutions that are custom tailored to their specific needs.
As a mediator Lori enjoys working with clients from all backgrounds. Lori prides herself on bringing a non-judgmental and accepting attitude to her mediation background.
Lydia González is an accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), since. July 26, 2016 and has since been mediating professionally in Sarnia and Chatham primarily. Lydia has mediated more than 100 files (approximately 405 hours of Family cases involving the full range of Family Law issues) since her accreditation in mid 2016. Lydia mediates clients off-site whom do not have a matter in court and clients On-Site that are in the court process.
Lydia has extensive training, knowledge and 19 years of work experience in the Anti-Money Laundering (Terrorist Financing) field, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Problem Gambling, Management Coaching and has her Professional Certificate in Conflict Management through Western University Continuing Education Program. Lydia has also attends annual continuing education courses and training in Domestic Violence.
When not mediating, Lydia enjoys being outdoors with her kayak and dogs, cooking and spending time with family.
Michael McNeely is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. Michael has completed the mandatory mediation training through York University in 2021.
Michael McNeely is the first Deaf-Blind student to graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School.
He understands that having a child with a disability can be both a gift and a source of tension for a family unit, especially with exorbitant costs for accessibility equipment.
Michael is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and is aware of the many challenges facing queer families.
Michael has taught advocacy skills at the Canadian Helen Keller Centre, delivered lectures on accommodations and accessibility to numerous post-secondary institutions, is the director of a documentary "Advocacy Club", is an accredited and published film critic, and is an accessibility advocate who works with those in the film, theatre and transportation industries to help improve their accessibility practices.
Michael has served on the board of directors for Sensity, is a former member of Toronto's Accessibility Advisory Committee. He is also a former high school teacher.
He currently works for the Department of Justice as a lawyer and hopes to make more films soon. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones, playing video games, and lazing about on a raft made of pool noodles when he should be swimming laps.
Natalie Charette is an Associate Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), since 2011.
Natalie is a leader in her local community, advocating for grassroots environmental and sustainable efforts. Natalie has been recognized for her efforts in grant writing, in 2016 McMaster University published her research on the topic of Sustainability and Community Action.
Job Titles:
- S.W., ( Honours ), AccFM ( OAFM ), AccIM ( OAFM ), CIM, ODR Specialist
Pamela Porodo is honoured to begin the journey of steering The Family Mediation Centre with the guidance, experience and wisdom of the Founder, Kathleen Chapman.
By way of an exceptionally diverse background in finance, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and crisis management, Pamela has governed organizations as Managing Director in four countries. In addition, Pamela has worked to institute and advance community development programs focusing on poverty reduction, women's empowerment, addiction and mental health services at both an international and localized level. In response to the 2004 tsunami that violently struck the coasts of South East Asia, Pamela established and managed a charity in Sri Lanka that coordinated with the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, and Doctors Without Borders providing international emergency and immediate relief aid to victims around the world.
Upon returning to Canada, Pamela decided to take a position as an IRC for the Family Mediation Centre in 2017. Since that time, Pamela completed the educational requirements to become an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM), Accredited Intergenerational Mediator (AccIM), a Child Inclusive Mediator and an ODR Specialist.
Pamela continues to lead on a volunteer basis, The Impakt Aid Society of Canada, an international volunteer organization that created the Work For Widows program, empowering widowed and vulnerable women globally.
Taylor Jack is an accredited Family Mediator (Acc. F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), since 2014 and is also a Family Group Co-ordinator since 2011.
Taylor has been mediating professionally in London, St. Thomas, Woodstock, Chatham and Sarnia since 2015. Taylor has mediated more than three hundred hours (300) of Family cases involving the full range of Family Law issues. Taylor mediates cases Off-Site that are not in court and also mediates cases On-Site in the Court house. Taylor is an information and referral coordinator (IRC) in London, St Thomas, Woodstock, Chatham and Sarnia.
Taylor Jack attended Fanshawe College from 2002-2004 and received a diploma in Social Service Work, then attended Griffith University (Australia) from 2006-2008 and received Bachelor of Human Services with a major in Family and Community Welfare. Taylors academic involvement continued at the University of Western Ontario from 2008-2010 and received a certificate ADR Conflict Studies.
Taylor Jack also became a Family Group Co-ordinator through the George Hull Centre in 2011 having completed a mentorship with Todd Perreault.
Taylor Jack also completes a minimum of ten(10) hours of annual training which includes an annual conference for continuing education relating to Domestic Violence.
Taylor is an assistant Hockey coach in the North London Nationals IP Program.
When not mediating, Taylor enjoys grappling sports, hockey, hiking and spending time outdoors.
Terry Hainsworth is an accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), since 2014 and a Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb.)
Terry Hainsworth has been mediating professionally in London since 2014. Terry has mediated more than 100 Family cases involving the full range of Family Law issues. Terry mediates cases Off-Site that are not in court and also mediates cases On-Site in the Court.
Terry attended UWO and obtained his LL.B. (with Honours) has also attended annual continuing education courses and training in Domestic Violence.
Terry is a retired lawyer who practiced for over 42 years. Over the years, he has taught at the University of Western Ontario's law school and the Ontario Bar Admission course. He is a frequent lecturer at continuing education programs for the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Upper Canada. He is the author of several textbooks on Family Law. He has developed courses in family law for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators.
Job Titles:
- Training / Education / Employment Services