09/08/2026
We are pleased to introduce the 2026–2028 Board of Directors of Safe To Mediate!
Safe To Mediate™ is dedicated to improving safety and informed decision-making in mediation and dispute resolution. Through a structured, trauma-informed screening approach, Safe To Mediate helps professionals identify potential safety, behavioral, and relational risks before mediation begins.
Mediation can provide an important pathway toward resolution, but it is not appropriate—or equally safe—in every circumstance. Concerns such as coercive control, intimidation, domestic violence, mental health or behavioral risks, power imbalances, and other factors can significantly affect a person’s ability to participate safely and meaningfully in the process.
Safe To Mediate provides professionals with tools and structured decision support to help identify these concerns early, support appropriate case triage, and inform decisions about safeguards, referrals, and whether mediation is appropriate.
The goal is not to replace professional judgment, but to strengthen it with a consistent, safety-centered framework. By bringing greater awareness and structure to the screening process, Safe To Mediate seeks to help create mediation environments where safety and informed participation are considered from the outset.
We are honored to welcome the following leaders to the 2026–2028 Board of Directors:
🔹 Elyse Kennedy--President
MA · BCBA · LBA
🔹 Ezra Pillay--Vice President
LLB · MBA
🔹 John Kennedy--Treasurer
BA
🔹 Gena Abel-Barnes --Secretary
LMHC · CCTP · CTMH
🔹 Dr. Shawna Gugino
CCC/SLP · BCBA · LBA-NY
🔹 Nick Kouris
M.A. M.B.A.
🔹 Susan Brown Thomas
MPS
🔹 Simon Weatherbed
MA
🔹 Dr. Jamie Zimmerman
DrPH· MPH · CHES
We are grateful for the expertise, perspective, and commitment each board member brings to this work. We look forward to the continued growth of Safe To Mediate and to advancing a more informed, safety-conscious approach to mediation.
Safety should be considered before resolution.
Learn more about Safe To Mediate and our Board of Directors: https://safetomediate.org/board-of-directors
Safe To Mediate | 2026–2028 Board of Directors
Safe To Mediate is led by a founding board with expertise across behavioral health, family mediation, information security, and higher education leadership.
