About Me
Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator (#45827 F)
Before mediation, I spent more than twenty years guiding complex discussions, balancing competing interests, and helping people work through difficult conversations across corporate, private, and nonprofit environments. I hold a degree in Corporate Communications and an MBA from Point Park University.
For much of my career, I built systems, led teams, and solved complex organizational challenges. As a single mother, that career gave me the opportunity to provide for my son — and it taught me something I rely on every day now. Most stalled conversations aren't stalled over disagreement. They're stalled because no one has organized the problem well enough for the people in the room to see what they're actually deciding.
Over time, I felt called toward work that was more personal — work where those same skills could help people during the most significant transitions of their lives. That calling led me to family and divorce mediation.
My own experience with divorce and child custody reinforced what I already believed: families don't simply need help with forms or information on Florida statutes. They need an environment where they feel heard, respected, and able to make informed decisions about what comes next.
Today I mediate divorce, parenting, and family matters — private, court-ordered, and attorney-referred. I also created New Chapter Divorce Prep™ for couples who are divorcing without attorneys and want help reaching their decisions and building a marital settlement agreement and parenting plan that will hold up over time.Those principles became The New Chapter Philosophy, which guides every mediation I facilitate: quality mediation should be accessible, organization creates better conversations, and every discussion deserves a steady hand. (Scroll down for details.)
The New Chapter Philosophy
Quality mediation shouldn't be determined by a family's financial circumstances.
Making mediation accessible isn't simply reflected in my pricing—it's one of the reasons I started New Chapter Mediation. Whether someone is participating in court-ordered mediation with attorneys or pursuing an attorney-free divorce, I believe every family deserves access to a thoughtful, professional mediation process that allows them to make informed decisions about their future.
Affordable shouldn't mean sacrificing quality. It should mean that more families have the opportunity to experience a mediation process that is organized, respectful, and focused on helping them move forward.
Organization creates space for better conversations.
People often assume structure makes conversations feel rigid. I've found the opposite to be true.
When people know where they're going, they don't have to spend their energy wondering what comes next. Organizing the issues, establishing priorities and creating a clear path forward reduces distractions and allows everyone to focus on what truly matters. Ironically, the more organized the process becomes, the more open, flexible and organic the conversations can be. Structure doesn't control the discussion—it creates the freedom for meaningful conversations to unfold naturally.
Every Conversation Deserves a Steady Hand
Every mediation brings different personalities, communication styles, and emotions to the table. Over the course of my career, I've learned that meaningful progress rarely comes from matching the emotion in the room. It comes from remaining steady—listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and guiding conversations with patience, confidence, and respect. I don't shy away from difficult personalities or emotionally charged discussions. When people know the conversation is being guided with professionalism and consistency, they're often better able to express what truly matters. A steady hand doesn't determine the outcome. It creates an environment where productive conversations can take place.
There's Often More Progress to Be Made
Not every mediation ends with a signed agreement, and I don't believe in forcing one. But I also don't believe in ending productive conversations before they've had a genuine opportunity to succeed.
I have a natural curiosity that leads me to explore issues thoughtfully and a genuine respect for the mediation process. My intention is always to allow the conversation to breathe until it's clear that a particular issue isn't ready to move forward—at least not at that point in time. Experience has also taught me when a conversation has reached its limit for the day. Knowing when to continue exploring and when to recognize that an issue simply isn't ready to move forward is an important part of effective mediation.
Whether that results in a complete agreement, a partial agreement or simply a better understanding of each person's interests and the needs of their family, every step forward has value. Even when every issue isn't resolved, meaningful progress often creates a stronger foundation for whatever comes next.