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.
AMBER BOURASSA
AccFM
Amber Bourassa is a Family Mediator (ACCFM) and Information Referral Coordinator with the Mediation Centre Ontario. Amber also works as a Family Mediator with Muxlow Mediation. A proud graduate of Guelph University and Humber College, Amber was inspired to pursue a career in Mediation after completing the post graduate certification in Alternative Dispute Resolution and learning how Mediation can assist families navigate a very difficult time in their lives in a fair and less adversarial way. Prior to working as a Family Mediator, Amber worked for 6 years as an Early Resolution Officer with the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity. In this role Amber mediated between tenants facing eviction and Toronto Community Housing, in the area of eviction prevention.
BELLA 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.
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.
CANDACE PARRACK
AccFM
Candace Parrack is an accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) with the Ontario Association of Family Mediation. She is also an Information Referral Coordinator with the Mediation Centre Ontario. Candace graduated with a degree from Brock University and spent 40 years working with family and children, both in the private sector and for the Thames Valley District School Board. Candace’s extensive experience in crisis and conflict resolution makes her uniquely skilled to navigate the wide-ranging challenges that family mediation can present. She is solution-focused and prioritizes moving families forward to an amicable resolution. Her passion for helping families inspired her to return to school post-retirement to become an accredited mediator. She is proud to be on Mediation Centre Ontario’s roster, to be able to help families in this new way.
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.
ESRA SAMLI
AccFM
Esra is an accredited family mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) and is currently working toward her Qualified Arbitrator (QC) designation. Esra brings over 25 years of legal experience to her practice as a lawyer specializing in family law. For over a decade, she has served as an agent lawyer for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, advocating for the rights and well-being of children. She is dedicated to helping families navigate conflict with empathy, efficiency, and a child-focused approach. Her dedication to community service is reflected in her leadership roles, including serving as President of the Grey County Law Association, a member of the Board of Directors for Victim Services of Bruce Grey and Perth, and a long-time member of the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library board. Esra’s practice is grounded in a strong commitment to peaceful resolution and the long-term well-being of the families she serves.
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.
JESSICA LUBRICK
B.A. (Honours), M.A., J.D., AccFM (OAFM)
Jessica is a family law lawyer and mediator with the Mediation Centre Ontario. Jessica is a proud graduate of both the University of Guelph, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies, and the University of British Columbia, where she earned a Master of Arts in Classical Archaeology and later attended the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Jessica’s experiences practicing as a family law lawyer led her to pursue training and accreditation as a family mediator, as she saw alternative dispute resolution processes to be more efficient and effective in helping families deal with conflict compared to the traditional court process.
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.
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.
ROLA MUSTAFA
MBA, LLM, AccFM
Rola Mustafa is an accredited mediator through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (London, UK). She holds a Global MBA and an LLM in International Law from City University of London. Since 2014, Rola has been a global trainer, delivering mediation and conflict resolution training in both Arabic and English across multiple countries. She teaches ADR, including family mediation, at Herzing College and is listed on the Ontario Provincial Roster as a Family Group Conference Coordinator, where she facilitates culturally sensitive, family-centred decision-making to support the safety and well-being of at-risk children. In this role, she collaborates with child protection professionals to help families develop comprehensive care plans using alternative dispute resolution techniques. Rola is certified as a family mediator by several national and regional institutes. She is deeply committed to community service, having volunteered as a mediator for organizations such as St. Stephen’s Community House, Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, the Ismaili Conciliation and Arbitration Board, Islamic Family and Social Services Association, and the Canadian Council for Muslim Women. Rola is fluent in Arabic and brings a strong intercultural perspective to her mediation practice.
STEPHANIE OKOJIE
Hons/BA Social Work, RSW, AccFM (OAFM)
Stephanie Okojie is a licensed Social worker with over 15 years of experience in mental health services, clinical counselling, Mental Health support and consultation. Stephanie’s professional and lived experiences create an opportunity to provide adequate support for
the clients served. Stephanie has worked with individuals from diverse groups. As an accredited Family mediator, her professional and educational background is reflected through practice as she utilizes necessary tools such as trauma-informed practices relevant
for the services provided.
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.
LAURA FERGUSON
AccFM
Laura Ferguson is an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM) with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and an Information Referral Coordinator with Mediation Centre Ontario. She is also the founder of Forward Family Mediation.
With over 19 years of experience as a senior family law clerk, Laura has worked closely with counsel and clients to navigate separation, parenting, support, and property issues from start to finish. Her dual background in family law and mediation equips her to help families reduce conflict, communicate more effectively, and find solutions tailored to their needs. Laura is committed to a child-focused and respectful process that supports families in moving forward without unnecessary litigation.
INFORMATION & REFERRAL COORDINATORS
Amber Bourassa
Bella Waterton
Blake Muxlow
Breanne Becker
Carolyn Brown
Candace Parrack
Cathi Wentworth
Cathrin Van Sintern-Dick
Dana Cranker
Heather Yacula
Jerome Porodo
Judith Da Silva
Lydia Gonzalez
Monique Prudhomme
Pamela Porodo
Rima Maaliki
Laura Ferguson
