Miguel Andrade - B.A. Notre Dame de Namur University , Human Services. Miguel has 15 years of experience and knowledge developing and managing programs for young people and adults affected by family violence, gangs, alcohol, drugs, teen pregnancy, and incarceration. He has worked with diverse populations by facilitating support groups, providing mediation/conflict resolution, organizing street outreach and school programs, and offering tutoring/mentoring services.
Russell Brunson - J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution. Russell is an experienced mediator and expert on Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking for Youth. He has written several classroom curriculums and has worked extensively on issues of youth development, diversity, and effective communication in schools, youth groups, and juvenile justice systems around the country.
Lauren Kucera - M.A. University of San Francisco, Multicultural Education. Lauren is a facilitator, an educator and a co-founder of coAction, a communication and diversity training group working with educational institutions throughout the U.S.
One of her primary areas of focus is taking on the racial and achievement gaps in schools. Her trainings give schools, adults, and youth the awareness, skills and activities to face discrimination campus-wide, thus supporting the creation of emotionally and intellectually-safe learning communities for all students.
Maria Teresa Magaņa - B.S. Notre Dame de Namur University, Psychology; M.A. University of San Francisco, Multicultural Education; Multiple Subjects Bilingual Credential . Maria Teresa has been involved in Bay Area schools for almost twenty years as a teacher and outreach specialist. As a bilingual, bicultural Educational Consultant, she offers professional translation, facilitation, and conflict management services with a focus on family/school/community involvement.
Elizabeth McLeod - Ed.M, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Multiple Subject and Single Subject (Language Arts) credential from SFSU. Co-founder of GirlVentures, a non-profit dedicated to empowering adolescent girls to discover and express their strengths (http://www.girlventures.org). For the past 15 years, Elizabeth has taught communication and leadership skills as an elementary and middle school teacher, wilderness instructor, mother, and Executive Director of an educational non-profit. She is also a long-time student (and more recently, teacher) of yoga which informs her understanding of conflict resolution and peace-building.
Alejandro Vilchez - B.A. Bethany College, focus on Cross-Cultural Communication and Gang Prevention. As the Manager of the PCRC Strengthening Neighborhoods Program, Alejandro is a seasoned trainer and recognized leader in violence prevention within the Chicano/Latino community of San Mateo County. He is knowledgeable of gang factions operating the SF Bay Area and has over 10 years experience providing group facilitation, mediation, and trainings in conflict management. Alejandro has a special talent for using games and activities that keep trainings fun yet focused. He reaches all ages stressing the importance of communication, cultural identity, and community involvement.
Sharon Yoerg - M.A. Washington University; B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Resource Specialist Credential, San Francisco State University. Teacher Leadership Program, Stanford University. Sharon is a consultant and trainer in parent and peer education, staff development, conflict mediation and other school safety programs such as bullying and internet safety.
Laura Ziegler - M.A. San Francisco State University, Education; B.A. University of California at Berkeley, English. Laura has been in the education field for over 20 years, first as a high and middle school teacher and most recently as an educational consultant and parent educator. She has worked with schools and families to tackle issues such as bullying, learning differences, self-esteem, and school success strategies. Her passion is to guide and support parents in raising challenging children and teens.