Assistant Deputy Director of Community Conflict Resolution

• Oct 2022 - Present

The Assistant Deputy Director conceptualizes, develops, and oversees CRD’s new Community Conflict Resolution Program, and supports a work environment consistent with the Department’s core values and civil rights mission. CCRU Mission: To promote peaceful relations by assisting communities experiencing fear, conflict, or tensions relating to discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes that have a community impact. What We Do: The Community Conflict… Show more The Assistant Deputy Director conceptualizes, develops, and oversees CRD’s new Community Conflict Resolution Program, and supports a work environment consistent with the Department’s core values and civil rights mission. CCRU Mission: To promote peaceful relations by assisting communities experiencing fear, conflict, or tensions relating to discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes that have a community impact. What We Do: The Community Conflict Resolution Unit (CCRU) within the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) works with communities, and/or local and state public bodies to constructively manage or resolve conflict, minimize or eliminate the potential for violence, reduce or eliminate antagonism within communities, or help them reach mutually acceptable outcomes. CCRU works closely with stakeholder groups affected by conflict to ensure that solutions include community-driven input. CCRU believes that community collaboration is most effective in addressing concerns related to hate and discrimination-based community conflict. How We Achieve Our Work: 1) Designing conflict resolution processes; 2) Facilitating processes to ensure meaningful community engagement; 3) Mediating conflict; 4) Providing education and training; 5) Providing technical consultations. 800-884-1684 Show less The Assistant Deputy Director conceptualizes, develops, and oversees CRD’s new Community Conflict Resolution Program, and supports a work environment consistent with the Department’s core values and civil rights mission. CCRU Mission: To promote peaceful relations by assisting communities experiencing fear, conflict, or tensions relating to discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes that have a community impact. What We Do: The Community Conflict… Show more The Assistant Deputy Director conceptualizes, develops, and oversees CRD’s new Community Conflict Resolution Program, and supports a work environment consistent with the Department’s core values and civil rights mission. CCRU Mission: To promote peaceful relations by assisting communities experiencing fear, conflict, or tensions relating to discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes that have a community impact. What We Do: The Community Conflict Resolution Unit (CCRU) within the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) works with communities, and/or local and state public bodies to constructively manage or resolve conflict, minimize or eliminate the potential for violence, reduce or eliminate antagonism within communities, or help them reach mutually acceptable outcomes. CCRU works closely with stakeholder groups affected by conflict to ensure that solutions include community-driven input. CCRU believes that community collaboration is most effective in addressing concerns related to hate and discrimination-based community conflict. How We Achieve Our Work: 1) Designing conflict resolution processes; 2) Facilitating processes to ensure meaningful community engagement; 3) Mediating conflict; 4) Providing education and training; 5) Providing technical consultations. 800-884-1684 Show less

Board Member

• Sep 2021 - Present

Co-Chair

• Jan 2015 - Present

Ombuds

• Apr 2019 - Oct 2022

The mission of the Ombuds is to serve as one arm of an “in-house” conflict management process available to staff and supervisors for resolving work related issues. The Ombuds provides confidential, impartial, and voluntary services that include conflict resolution coaching, and mediation between personnel. The Ombuds also identifies organizational climate and culture concerns with the head of the agency, as well as other systemic issues that can contribute towards conflict among personnel… Show more The mission of the Ombuds is to serve as one arm of an “in-house” conflict management process available to staff and supervisors for resolving work related issues. The Ombuds provides confidential, impartial, and voluntary services that include conflict resolution coaching, and mediation between personnel. The Ombuds also identifies organizational climate and culture concerns with the head of the agency, as well as other systemic issues that can contribute towards conflict among personnel. These issues and concerns can include conflict in policy or violation of policy, lack of perceived inclusion, morale problems, lack of leadership or support from management, issues of promotion and compensation, reputation, communication, trust, etc.. Anyone in the agency can contact the Ombuds to discuss an issue or concern. The Ombuds works with them to identify options and next steps, but does not proceed on an option without consent of the party contacting the Ombuds.

Conciliation Specialist

• Apr 2009 - Oct 2022

The Community Relations Service (CRS), a component of the Department of Justice (DOJ), serves as “America’s Peacemaker” for communities in conflict by mediating disputes and enhancing community capacity to independently prevent and resolve future conflicts. CRS is the only federal agency dedicated to working with community groups to resolve community conflicts and prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes arising from differences of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual… Show more The Community Relations Service (CRS), a component of the Department of Justice (DOJ), serves as “America’s Peacemaker” for communities in conflict by mediating disputes and enhancing community capacity to independently prevent and resolve future conflicts. CRS is the only federal agency dedicated to working with community groups to resolve community conflicts and prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes arising from differences of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. • Advised mayors, police chiefs, advocacy leaders, non-profits, faith leaders, schools, universities, as well as other institutional, governmental, and community leaders in matters involving incidents that had a negative impact on a community group that led to protests and civil unrest, as well as worked with leaders to de-escalate tensions. • Worked extensively over the years with various Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, LGBTQ, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, and many other groups in California and its surrounding states. • Delivered conflict resolution training to tens of thousands of law enforcement officers, government officials, community leaders, faith leaders, non-profit organizations, and others. • Designed and facilitated countless dialogues, strategic planning meetings, action plan meetings, town halls, listening sessions, community forums, advisory groups, working groups, and taskforce teams. • Advocated for cultural awareness, inclusion, and situational awareness in conflict.

Conflict Resolution Education Program Director

• Jan 2007 - Apr 2009