NHÂN VIÊN
Leslie Ann Grove (she/her) – Executive Director
After a BA in Music Education, graduate study in both education and philosophy, and law school at Gonzaga University, Leslie began practicing law in 1985 and mediating in 1987. Her very first mediation training was from Community Boards of Spokane, the predecessor to what has evolved into Northwest Mediation Center. Certified as a mediator through Washington Mediation Association, Leslie is a highly experienced mediator, trainer, and conflict resolution facilitator. Leslie is passionate about the crucial role of alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices in the 21st century. She is excited to work with Northwest Mediation Center, whose board is committed to providing affordable mediation and conflict management education to the community with integrity and creative energy. Leslie’s other passion is music, singing, and playing trumpet professionally. “It’s all about harmony” in music and in peaceful problem solving.
Clare Brown (she/they) – Assistant Executive Director
Clare earned her AA in Business from Spokane Falls Community College in 2006, their BA in Advertising and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago in 2009, and most recently her Master's Certificate in Women's Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2022. Clare was born and raised in Spokane, has worked in marketing since 2007, and been part of the local nonprofit community for 10 years. Clare is passionate about authentic storytelling to leverage support for our community through fundraising, grant writing, marketing, and communications. They are excited to work with Northwest Mediation Center to promote safe space and build community, particularly for marginalized and low-income folks, and to support parties as they find the place of empathy during conflict resolution. In her free time, Clare is passionate about dogs, iced coffee, reading books, and combining all those things on sunny patios.
Wendy Schatz (she/her) – Mediation Director
Wendy was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from University of Oregon with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a secondary teaching certificate. She and her husband raised their daughter in Portland, and Wendy worked part time throughout their daughter's school years in bookstores and with a book wholesaler. She later worked in the University of Portland’s library. The state of the world was very upsetting, and she wanted a way to bring peace to conversations instead of guns. She took a mediation training course at Portland State University and loved it. She took another mediation training through Portland Community College. When a new program in Clackamas County brought small claims mediation to the area, she was accepted to the program and trained in small claims mediation. She then volunteered with that program for about a year and a half. When Wendy and her husband moved to Spokane to be near their daughter and her family, she met with Leslie and Northwest Mediation Center. She has been mediating with NMC for about 7 years now. She loves NMC for its commitment to bring peaceful resolution and conversation to the community. To her, mediation is the way to finding peace in a very conflicted world.
Laurel Newnham (she/her) – Program Producer
Laurel theo học Đại học Cardiff và theo đuổi bằng Thạc sĩ về nghiên cứu văn hóa, sau đó cô chuyển đến Seattle và làm việc trong cả tổ chức phi lợi nhuận và nghệ thuật. Cô tin rằng việc tiếp xúc với nhiều cách suy nghĩ và giải quyết vấn đề sáng tạo cho tình yêu mới của cô đối với hòa giải cộng đồng. Laurel gia nhập Trung tâm Hòa giải Tây Bắc vào năm 2022. Điều yêu thích của cô ấy khi tham gia với NMC là giúp mọi người tìm thấy sự nhẹ nhõm và trao quyền khi xử lý xung đột trong cuộc trò chuyện hiệu quả. Trong thời gian rảnh rỗi, Laurel thích nấu ăn với bạn bè, làm nghệ thuật và học tiếng Wales.
Deb Nielsen (she/her) – Mediation Intake Specialist
Deb hoàn thành bằng Cử nhân Xã hội học tại Đại học Gonzaga vào năm 2015. Sau khi quan tâm đến các chủ đề liên quan đến công bằng xã hội và khả năng tình nguyện, cùng với sự tập trung lâu dài vào giao tiếp hiệu quả, cô quyết định tham gia Khóa đào tạo Hòa giải Cơ bản từ NMC vào tháng 4 năm 2016 và hoàn thành chương trình thực hành để trở thành hòa giải viên được chứng nhận vào tháng 12 năm 2018. Sau khi phục vụ như một tình nguyện viên trong văn phòng như một phần kinh nghiệm thực tế của mình, cô bắt đầu làm việc bán thời gian cho trung tâm, và hiện là người quản lý hồ sơ của NMC.
Lindsey James (she/her) – Program Assistant & Office Manager
Lindsey graduated from University of Portland with a BS in Secondary Education and English, and earned her MS in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU. During her teaching career, she had the opportunity to facilitate professional learning and to become a new teacher mentor, and discovered a passion for helping people solve problems and grow both personally and professionally. After more than a decade in the education field, Lindsey decided to pursue new ways to serve her community. She is excited to join NMC, where she can use her skills to guide people toward peaceful, positive solutions. In her spare time, she enjoys tackling home improvement projects, cooking new recipes with her partner, writing fiction, and hiking.
Monica Bertucci (she/her) – Bookkeeper
Monica joined NMC in late 2018 to provide bookkeeping and financial support services. She has an undergraduate degree from The Evergreen State College and a Masters in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University. She has a diverse professional history, including non-profit leadership, retail management, and professional services, and currently provides services to NMC through Bertucci & Oxford Bookkeeping. Having used mediation services herself in both business and family matters, Monica is a firm believer in mediation as an essential resource for people working through any type of negotiation, and is very happy to be part of the NMC team.