About Me
I'm a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator (#45827 F) with more than 20 years of experience guiding complex discussions, balancing competing interests, and helping people navigate difficult conversations across corporate, private, and nonprofit environments. I hold both 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 while developing skills that, at the time, I never imagined would become the foundation of my life's next chapter.
Over time, I felt called toward work that was more personal—work where those same skills could help people during some of the most significant transitions of their lives. That calling led me to family and divorce mediation. Today, I help individuals and couples navigate divorce, parenting, and family matters through a balanced approach that combines organization with compassion, thoughtful preparation with meaningful conversation, and professionalism with genuine respect for every person involved.
My own experiences with divorce and child custody matters have reinforced what I already believed: families don't simply need information—they need an environment where they feel heard, respected, and able to make informed decisions about what comes next. That's why I created The New Chapter Philosophy—the principles that guide every mediation I facilitate (scroll down for details.). I believe quality mediation should be accessible, that organization creates better conversations, that every discussion deserves a steady hand, and that every mediation deserves its best opportunity to succeed.
Whether I'm working with individuals pursuing an attorney-free divorce or parties participating in court-ordered mediation, my commitment remains the same: to create an environment where conversations are given the opportunity to breathe, every reasonable path is thoughtfully explored, and people leave knowing they were heard, respected, and given every opportunity to move toward resolution.
My work isn't about helping people end a marriage. It's about helping them begin the next chapter of their lives with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
Outside of mediation, you'll usually find me volunteering at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, spending time with my two dogs, staying active, or making trips to Orlando theme parks with my college-aged son.
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.