Experience

The Conflict Center

• United States
• Education Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Restorative Justice Facilitator and Educator

  • Mar 2021 - Present

  Denver, Colorado, United States All of us have stumbled, in our own ways, along our paths. In conjunction with the Restorative Denver program and The Conflict Center, I facilitate dialogue that offers people who were harmed by crime an opportunity to seek answers and those who caused the harm an opportunity to take accountability to begin to repair the damage caused by conflict and/or crime. The Conflict Center’s Restorative Justice facilitators focus on the Community Group Conference (CGC) process which brings together a… Show more All of us have stumbled, in our own ways, along our paths. In conjunction with the Restorative Denver program and The Conflict Center, I facilitate dialogue that offers people who were harmed by crime an opportunity to seek answers and those who caused the harm an opportunity to take accountability to begin to repair the damage caused by conflict and/or crime. The Conflict Center’s Restorative Justice facilitators focus on the Community Group Conference (CGC) process which brings together a group of people involved in crime, including people who were harmed, people who caused harm, support people, community members, and facilitators. Restorative Denver offers the right candidates an opportunity to transform a bad situation into a meaningful, life-enhancing growth opportunity. Show less



Democratic National Committee

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Political Consultant; Employee Relations and Human Resources Consulting

  • Nov 2021 - Present

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States I guide leaders on the path to creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces. A work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect is one in which individuals will be safer, healthier, more effective and productive. As a mediator, I facilitate accountability and connection, collaborative decision making, and trust building in order to promote the wellness and success of everyone involved. I believe that the future of human relations management in the workplace includes… Show more I guide leaders on the path to creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces. A work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect is one in which individuals will be safer, healthier, more effective and productive. As a mediator, I facilitate accountability and connection, collaborative decision making, and trust building in order to promote the wellness and success of everyone involved. I believe that the future of human relations management in the workplace includes implementation of restorative justice principles. Show less



Court Mediation Services

• Lead Mediator

  • May 2021 - Present

  Colorado, United States I conduct virtual and in-person mediations for small claims court and county court cases via the Denver Bar Association's program, Court Mediation Services. As Mediator, I am a neutral facilitator and do not offer legal advice. My goals are to facilitate challenging conversations, help parties to be open-minded and honest, and to encourage creative compromise.



Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Criminal Defense Consulting, Research and Writing

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  Colorado, United States I am a contractor with the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel. I have always been passionate about the protection of Constitutional and civil rights. I am an anti-racism advocate and consider work here to be necessary. Equal access to justice for all.



Middle Path Mediation, LLC

• Owner

  • Aug 2019 - Present

  Denver, Colorado, United States I help individuals and organizations to add to their skillsets. The changing workplace requires courage, open-mindedness, and concerted focus on personal growth. That's a lot. Soft skills like self-reflection and emotional intelligence are found in inspirational leaders. We are called to be more resilient - to manage up, manage down, and sideways. That's a lot. But there is always opportunity for growth and learning, no matter where we are in our careers. I help people to decipher what is… Show more I help individuals and organizations to add to their skillsets. The changing workplace requires courage, open-mindedness, and concerted focus on personal growth. That's a lot. Soft skills like self-reflection and emotional intelligence are found in inspirational leaders. We are called to be more resilient - to manage up, manage down, and sideways. That's a lot. But there is always opportunity for growth and learning, no matter where we are in our careers. I help people to decipher what is working and what needs to change. This ranges from Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity training, to conflict coaching, mediation, facilitated conversations, workplace culture and environment (discovering and creating) analysis, workplace investigations, policy and procedure review, assistance with performance improvement plans, and leadership coaching. I apply restorative justice principles in all of my work. I believe in the power of the community circle to deal with conflict and difficulty. The intention is to restore, to support healing and understanding, and thereby empower and uplift. Show less



CBA-CLE

• United States
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chair, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the ADR Section (Colorado Bar Association)

  • Dec 2020 - Present

  Denver, Colorado, United States



YogaMelora, LLC

• Owner and Instructor

  • Aug 2010 - Present

  Denver, CO



Colorado Humanities

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Member

  • May 2018 - Present

  Greater Denver Area



CorePower Yoga

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor

  • Aug 2010 - Present

  CorePower Yoga - Denver studios



The Bentz Law Office, LLC

• Attorney

  • Feb 2010 - Oct 2014

  Denver, Colorado, United States Areas of practice: Contract legal research and writing (criminal defense), Contract investigator for the National Equal Employment Opportunity Investigative Services Office (NEEOISO) conducting Title VII investigations for the Federal government; small business and non-profit law.



CorePower Yoga

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• student instructor

  • 2010 - 2010



The U.S. Postal Service

• Employment & Labor Litigator

  • Jan 2005 - Oct 2009

  Represented the U.S. Postal Service in labor and employment disputes. Review and analyze facts and issues, research and draft pleadings including motions for summary judgment. Prepare and defend the Agency in hearings before Administrative Judges in the EEOC and MSPB Forums. Effectively communicate claim issues, discuss agency policies, and prepare witnesses for hearing. Provide advice to USPS management, operations, human resources and labor relations on legal issues including, but not… Show more Represented the U.S. Postal Service in labor and employment disputes. Review and analyze facts and issues, research and draft pleadings including motions for summary judgment. Prepare and defend the Agency in hearings before Administrative Judges in the EEOC and MSPB Forums. Effectively communicate claim issues, discuss agency policies, and prepare witnesses for hearing. Provide advice to USPS management, operations, human resources and labor relations on legal issues including, but not limited to, federal employment law practices (adverse actions, prohibited personnel actions, FMLA, disability law and reasonable accommodation, disciplinary actions, performance issues, sexual harassment and Title VII discrimination). Evaluate and negotiate settlements. Contribute to and encourage agency growth, good will, and compliance with federal, state, and local statutes. Show less



Metropolitan State University of Denver

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • Aug 2005 - Jan 2007

  Taught undergraduate students Criminal Evidence & Courtroom Procedure. Prepared course syllabus, lectures, exams, and met with students as a career mentor. Syllabus: This course will focus on the trial process and the presentation of evidence in the courtroom. The course starts with a review of fundamental principles established in constitutional and criminal law. The goal of this course is to enable the student to understand the legal principles of testimonial, documentary, and real… Show more Taught undergraduate students Criminal Evidence & Courtroom Procedure. Prepared course syllabus, lectures, exams, and met with students as a career mentor. Syllabus: This course will focus on the trial process and the presentation of evidence in the courtroom. The course starts with a review of fundamental principles established in constitutional and criminal law. The goal of this course is to enable the student to understand the legal principles of testimonial, documentary, and real evidence, and other trial and courtroom procedures. Specific (Measurable) Student Behavioral Learning Objectives: 1. Describe rules and regulations pertaining to testimony in courts of law (and administrative tribunals) in the United States. 2. Explain the application of rules and regulations for securing truth and justice. 3. Discuss investigative phase of law enforcement by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the evidentiary phase. 4. Describe the perceptual and psychological aspects of evidence and their relationship to advocacy. Show less



Federal Defender Organizations

• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Federal Public Defender

  • Jun 2003 - Dec 2003

  Zealously represented indigent clients charged in federal district court with misdemeanors, felonies, and violations of supervised release/parole. Researched and drafted pleadings (including appellate) and handled all aspects of case, including working with investigators, trial and plea negotiations.



South Carolina Office of Indigent Defense

• Assistant Public Defender

  • Apr 2000 - May 2003

  Richland County Public Defender's Office. Criminal Defense representation in a high volume county. Worked independently and as a supervising attorney handling misdemeanor and felony cases including charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and violent felonies.



Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Law Clerk

  • May 1996 - Jul 1997



UCHSC

• Research Assistant

  • 1994 - 1995

  Denver, Colorado, United States