Mediation Centre
Ontario Team
All mediators and Information & Referral Coordinators (IRC’s) have been approved by the Ministry of the Attorney General of the Government of Ontario, to provide services to the Ministry standards. They work together as a team in all 10 locations.
YOUR SUPPORT TEAM OF APPROVED MEDIATORS
For our mediators, and amongst other impressive credentials, this includes having the designation of Accredited Family Mediator (Acc.F.M.) from the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM).
PAMELA PORODO
Executive Director
CPA, S.W., (Honours), AccFM, AccIM (OAFM), CIM, ODR Specialist
Pamela Porodo is the Executive Director of Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate of Mount Royal University, Pamela was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after meeting the late Kathleen Chapman and witnessing the difference mediation makes in the lives of separating parents and their children. Prior to establishing Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. Pamela steered the Mediation Centre Inc. as the Ministry Service Provider and Director. Pamela has governed organizations as a Managing Director in four countries. Focusing on community development, poverty reduction, women’s empowerment and mental health services at both the international and local levels.
BREANNE BECKER
Manager of Operations
B.A.A, LL.B (UK), Acc.FM (OAFM)
Breanne Becker is the Manager of Operations at the Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. She is also an Accredited Family Mediator and Child Inclusive Mediator. Breanne holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen Mary University of London and a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Paralegal Studies from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
Breanne’s focus is on creating a space for families that is respectful, fair, and fosters communication. She believes that through collaboration and communication, families are able to create a more favourable outcome.
ALLISON NESBITT
B.A. (Honours), JD, AccFM (OAFM)
Allison obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph. Allison is a practicing family and estates lawyer 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 law matters amicably.
BLAKE MUXLOW
AccFM, CP Med
Blake Muxlow is the Owner and Principal Mediator at Muxlow Mediation Inc. A proud graduate of the University of Guelph, Blake was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after becoming involved with the child welfare system and witnessing the benefits of helping individuals reach their own agreements about the issues that matter to them. As the Executive Director and Owner of Betamarsh Incorporated, a therapeutic agency that provides out-of-home care to children and youth, Blake devotes his time to supporting and advocating for children and youth in care.
CACEE COUNTER
AccFM (OAFM), CPMed, Q.Med
Cacee Counter is a Family Mediator at Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate of Guelph University, Cacee was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after working at the Parry Sound courthouse and witnessing how difficult, tumultuous, and expensive the court process can cost a family. Cacee has worked very closely with agencies in the community to foster the best support system for each family struggling with conflict. Cacee focuses on high-conflict resolution, community engagement and fostering support for each individual.
CAROLYN BROWN
B.A., AccFM, Child Inclusive Mediator, Voice of the Child Practitioner
Carolyn Brown is a Mediator with the Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A graduate of the University of Windsor, Carolyn was inspired to pursue a career in mediation while working in Child Welfare and utilizing her conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills with the families and children she worked with. Carolyn is also the principal mediator at Lakeshore Family Mediation, where she helps families mediate parenting plans as well as interviewing children for Voice of the Child reports. Carolyn has been an accredited mediator with OAFM since 2019 and a Voice of the Child and Child Inclusive Mediator since 2021.
CATHERINE WENTWORTH
B.A., AccFM (OAFM)
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, 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.
CATHRIN VAN SINTERN-DICK
BTh, MAPM, Acc.FM (OAFM), Acc.IM (OAFM)
Cathrin van Sintern-Dick mediates family matters in and outside of court proceedings. She has studied in Switzerland and holds an MAPM from the University of Whales. Cathrin sought out mediation as a means to build peace in her community, seeing and witnessing the effect of adversarial separation on children, family and community. Originally, from Germany and having lived in four different countries, Cathrin immigrated to Canada in 2003, finding a home in Southwestern Ontario. She draws from her diverse cultural background to offer unwavering support to individuals from various lifestyles.
DANA CRANKER
LL.B.
Dana Cranker is a founding member and mediator at New Dawn Mediation in Windsor, Ontario. Prior to working as a mediator, Dana was a lawyer for over 20 years handling all types of family cases, as well as representing children through the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. A proud graduate of the University of Windsor, Dana was inspired to pursue a career in mediation after witnessing the struggles families face in the court system and experiencing the benefits achieved through mediation.
Dawn Melville
B.A. (Honours), JD, AccFM (OAFM)
Dawn Melville is a family law and estates litigation lawyer with over 30 years of experience and has long been a proponent of mediation in her legal practice. Dawn has been a mediator for over 13 years and is a founding member of New Dawn Mediation in Windsor, Ontario. Dawn is a proud graduate of the University of Windsor (Psychology and Law) and Wayne State University, wherein she earned her Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
DOUG SEARLE
BSW, MSW, RSW, AccFM (OAFM)
Douglas Searle is a family mediator at Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University (MSW) and Western University (BSW), he expanded his work with individuals, couples, and families to include structured family mediation. Since 1988, Doug has been dedicated to assisting individuals and families develop solutions to the many challenges they may face.
ISABELLA WATERTON
AccFM (OAFM)
Bella Waterton works in social services for the Ontario Government. A proud graduate of Carleton University, they were inspired to pursue a career in mediation after learning about family law and the advantages of alternative dispute resolution throughout the legal process. Prior to working in social services, they were an outdoor tourism professional in various roles, across the globe.
JENNIFER RUNSTEDLER
AccFM (OAFM)
Jennifer Runstedler is an OAFM Accredited Family Mediator at the Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate from the University of Western Ontario, Jennifer was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after she completed a Continuing Education Certificate in Conflict Management in 2019 that focused on understanding, navigating, and mediating disputes. From there, Jennifer achieved her Family Mediation training at York University where she experienced firsthand how the process of mediation can have a meaningful impact on those moving through separation.
JIM DOXTDATOR
AccFM (OAFM)
Jim Doxtdator is Wolf Clan, Cayuga Nation, Haudenosaunee from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He is the Director at his company, Peace Builder Mediation. Jim has been an Accredited Family Mediator member of the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM) since 2016 and Board member since 2022.
Jim uses a restorative approach within his day-to-day work in Family & Child Protection Mediation and Indigenous Dispute Resolution. A proud graduate of Mohawk College and the Six Nations Family Mediation Program, he follows his “original instruction” given to him by the Creator, to be a peace builder and steward of the land in the community.
Prior to working at Peace Builder Mediation, Jim has previously served in various governmental agencies and organizations as a Technical and Political Advisor to First Nations Leadership and their communities across Canada.
JOHNETTE KELLY-BARRERA
AccFM (OAFM)
Johnette Kelly-Barrera is an accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) 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).
JUDITH DASILVA
B.A., B.HSc.O.T., B.A.H., M.A., Ph.D (abd), LLM-ADR, AccFM (OAFM), AccIM, ODR & VOC Specialist
Judith is an accredited Family Mediator through the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM). Through her past roles and careers, Judith has experience working with people who need to bring order and function to an emotional or chaotic situation. She has a biology degree from Queen’s, then studied Occupational Therapy at McMaster University and worked primarily in mental health. She has worked with separating couples through court-based mediation in Brampton, has both a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from York University and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode.
JULIANNE MOMIROV
AccFM (OAFM)
Julianne Momirov is a Family Mediator and Information and Referral Coordinator at Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate of Brock University, Julianne was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after working as a Family Law Clerk in a lawyer’s office for a number of years and witnessing firsthand the toll the adversarial legal system was taking on her clients and their children. She wanted to pursue a better approach to settling family conflicts. Julianne was also an academic, teaching and researching in the areas of Sociology of Gender, Family, and Domestic Violence. She is the co-author of a book called Family Violence: A Canadian
Introduction.
KIM KELLER
BSW, MSW, AccFM (OAFM)
Kimberly Keller is currently a therapist and family mediator in private practice, Kim Keller Therapy & Family Mediation. A proud graduate of the University of Windsor, Kimberly was inspired to pursue a career in Family Mediation after working as a family law clerk for over 28 years, and observing the benefits of mediation for separating couples and their children. Prior to commencing private practice, Kimberly has worked in several positions as a Social Worker supporting mental health, where she had varying responsibilities, including discharge planning from hospital, supporting men and women with addiction, working with youth and adults in conflict with the law, and supporting women and men who have experienced violence.
LORI CLARKE
B.A. (Honours) AccFM (OAFM)
Lori Clarke is a family mediator at Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. A proud graduate of the University of Windsor, she was inspired to pursue a career in mediation after working in a family law firm for many years. Prior to working at Mediation Centre Ontario Inc., Lori worked in the legal services industry and banking industry for many years.
LYDIA GONZALEZ
AccFM (OAFM), ODR Specialist
Lydia is an Accredited Family Mediator and Online Dispute Resolution Specialist. Lydia has been mediating professionally since July 2016. In addition to her mediation training and experience, Lydia has extensive training, knowledge and 25 years of work experience in Anti-Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing, Problem Gambling and Management Coaching and has a Professional Certificate in Conflict Management through the Western University Continuing Education Program.
MICHAEL MCNEELY
B.A., JD, Acc.FM
Michael McNeely (he/him) is currently a lawyer at the Department of Justice. A proud graduate of Queen’s University and Osgoode Hall Law School, he was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after realizing the power of talking things through as opposed to dealing with a messy legal system. Prior to working at the Department of Justice, he was a Family Lawyer where he was responsible for managing and working through a busy caseload. Michael is proud to have been successful while being deaf-blind.
NATALIE CHARETTE
B.A., AccFM (OAFM), Hons BA in Philosophy
Natalie Charette is an Associate Family Mediator (AccFM) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation (OAFM), since 2011. Natalie’s work in Mediation stems from a fruitful career in Social Services with the focus to end Gender-Based Violence, as a Legal Advocate in the City of Hamilton. Natalie has been mediating professionally in Northern and Southern parts of Ontario since 2011 and has settled her practice in the London, St. Thomas and Woodstock communities.
TAYLOR JACK
B.A., BHU Serv., AccFM (OAFM)
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 Coordinator since 2011. Taylor has been mediating professionally in London, St. Thomas, Woodstock, Chatham and Sarnia. Taylor mediates cases Off-Site that are not in court and mediates cases On-Site in the Court house.
TERRY HAINSWORTH
B.A., (Honours), LL.B., AccFM (OAFM)
Following 44 years in active practice of law, Terry Hainsworth has been a mediator and arbitrator for over 10 years. In addition to his mediation practice, he continues to have an academic interest in Family Law. He currently is the author of two textbooks widely used by Canadian lawyers, namely The Child Support Guidelines Service and the Ontario Family Law Act Manual.
INFORMATION & REFERRAL COORDINATORS
Amber Bourassa
Angel Adair
Breanne Becker
Cacee Counter
Carolyn Brown
Cathi Wentworth
Cathrin Van Sintern-Dick
Dana Cranker
Heather Yacula
Jerome Porodo
Julianne Momirov
Lydia Gonzalez
Monique Prudhomme
Pamela Porodo
Rima Maaliki
