Our Federal Training Expert Instructors

Heather is an education and media professional with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, professional skills training, broadcast news, and public relations. She’s been with Graduate School USA since 2008, as the program manager for the Executive Leadership Program, as well as an instructor and course content developer for the Center for Leadership and Management.

Her education career began with a teaching stint in a Western Kenya high school. After she returned to the States, she earned a Master’s degree in journalism. Heather then built a dual-track career for herself as a television and radio journalist who also taught both high school and university students, focusing on writing, politics, and journalism.

In the early 2000s, Heather stepped aside from her news career to serve as press secretary to the Mayor of Jacksonville and the Special Projects Director for the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee. While holding those positions, she led multiple public relations and media outreach projects to improve the city’s recognition, image, and public hospitality prior to Super Bowl 39.

Heather has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bryn Mawr College and an M.S. in journalism from Boston University.

Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition.

He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others.

Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University.

Jeff Hysen has been with GSUSA since 2020, teaches numerous classes, and has received several awards for his work. Before joining Graduate School USA, Jeff was an Assistant Regional Counsel with the General Services Administration for 31 years. At GSUSA, Jeff served as the lead counsel on Ethics issues for the National Capital Region and worked on numerous projects across various fields. In addition to his work with GSUSA, Jeff is a podcast host and stand-up comedian.

Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization.

Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives.

A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts.

Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field.

Alan Zucker is a Senior Instructor at the Graduate School, focusing on project management, agile, and leadership. He brings over 25 years of experience working for the Federal Government and Fortune 100 companies to the classroom. Mr. Zucker has led high-visibility strategic initiatives and managed a project execution organization of 175 project professionals.

Mr. Zucker has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP), and a Disciplined Agile Coach from the Project Management Institute. He is also a Scaled Agile (SAFe) Program Consultant, a Certified Scrum Professional with Scrum Alliance, and a Certified Trainer from the Agile Leadership Academy.

Mr. Zucker has delivered thousands of successful projects and played a leadership role in the agile transformation of a Fortune 50 financial services company. He is active in the project management and agile communities. Mr. Zucker is a keynote speaker and is regularly quoted in the industry press. He has authored nearly 150 articles on project management best practices.

Amy is a seasoned leadership expert with over two decades of experience guiding executives through the complexities of senior leadership. She specializes in helping leaders navigate new roles, drive enterprise initiatives, and manage high-stakes change. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Amy has worked with organizations and individuals worldwide, tailoring her approach to diverse organizational cultures. She leverages her expertise to teach leadership concepts, integrate diverse teams, and enhance emotional intelligence, fostering improved performance, communication, and accountability.

Amy’s career spans both public and private sectors, giving her a unique perspective on transformational change and team building. At the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she led diverse teams addressing national security and criminal threats, implemented systemic organizational changes, and served as the first analyst in four senior leadership roles, including Deputy Assistant Director for Intelligence, where she managed a $100 million budget and a team of over 350. In the private sector, she excelled as Managing Director of Aon’s Cyber Solutions Intelligence Practice, leading a global team in cyber investigations and consistently surpassing financial goals.

Amy holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Bradley University, a Master of Arts from George Washington University, and executive education certificates from Harvard Business School and INSEAD. Certified as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation, she utilizes tools like DiSC, Gallup StrengthFinders, and Emotional Intelligence Assessments to help leaders challenge assumptions, leverage strengths, and create actionable plans for lasting success.

Bascom Destrehan “Dit” Talley, III is a seasoned educator and consultant with more than four decades of experience in leadership development, executive training, and organizational consulting. Since 1993, he has been an instructor with Graduate School USA, designing and delivering courses in leadership, management, and executive development for federal and international clients. He also teaches Global Leadership in the International Teaching and Global Learning Program at Johns Hopkins University and has instructed in the Police Executive Leadership Program, supporting both undergraduate and graduate cohorts, including law enforcement professionals from the U.S. Secret Service and ICE.

In addition to his teaching career, Dit founded and led Corporate and Government Consulting, a Washington, DC–based firm that specialized in leadership development, team building, strategic planning, and organizational assessments. His work has supported federal agencies, state offices, and private-sector organizations across the United States and internationally. He has coordinated national conferences, authored training manuals and guides, and published on workplace issues such as team building and preventing sexual harassment. Dit holds degrees from the University of the South, St. Paul School of Theology, and Boston University, with advanced studies in social ethics and public policy.

Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery.

Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. 

Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. 

Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences.

Carla Smocks is a respected trainer and leadership development expert with over 35 years of federal service, where she led efforts in human capital strategy, performance management, labor and employee relations (LER), and organizational transformation. She has designed and delivered impactful training programs for federal managers and HR professionals, developed leadership initiatives at both regional and national levels, and advised senior executives through high-stakes workforce and culture challenges. Has experience leading negotiations and equipping the negotiation team, as well as developing strategies. A certified mediator and former arbitration advocate, Carla brings deep expertise in workplace conflict resolution, employee engagement, and strategic HR practices. She has served as a trusted advisor to executives, providing just-in-time consulting and insight on complex personnel issues, team dynamics, and change management.

Carla is also an ICF-certified executive coach and a dynamic facilitator known for highly interactive sessions that consistently earn top evaluations. Her work bridges technical depth and human-centered leadership, equipping organizations to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Cindy Morgan-Jaffe is the Founder and CEO of the Positive Money Club, a community for women 50+ that helps them get money fit so that they can live the rich life they envision. She holds a master’s degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and is a certified Life, Professional Recovery, and Positive Intelligence® Master Coach and XChange Facilitator. She is also the author of Positive Money – 7 Principles to Living a Rich Life.

Cindy worked in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors as a facilitator, trainer, and program manager in leadership and career development before focusing on financial wellness and health. She is the proud parent of five and lives in Washington, D.C., where she enjoys art, yoga, and hiking.

Dan Kowalski brings over three decades of HR expertise, primarily from his 33-year career with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As a line manager for 21 years in large medical centers in the NYC/NJ area, he gained hands-on experience in managing complex HR operations. He also served on the VHA Human Resources Management Group, providing consulting services to senior leadership and representing the VHA on national labor-management and employee survey initiatives. Notably, he was part of a national action research project addressing workplace stress and aggression, designing interventions to improve employee satisfaction and service delivery.

Dan has extensive experience in designing and facilitating training programs for federal agencies, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Energy, and Naval Sea Systems Command. His expertise spans strategic human capital management, workforce planning, internal HR consulting, and supervisory training. He has also developed and delivered courses on HR data utilization, recruiting via social media, and job analysis, using adult action learning principles to foster engagement and practical application. His work has taken him across the U.S. and internationally, providing HR consulting and training to organizations such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Forest Service, and USAID, as well as advising governments in Japan, Indonesia, and Micronesia.

A published author and active member of the Academy of Management, Dan has presented at national and international conferences on organizational development and evidence-based management. He holds a B.A. from Canisius College and an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With a career dedicated to advancing HR practices and leadership development, Dan continues to share his wealth of knowledge as an instructor and consultant.

Dave currently provides advisory and management services to government and private sector organizations. His focus is on the right control systems that make for highly effective management performance. He also serves as an expert witness for several of the largest law firms in the world. He helped recover $3 billion for two clients. He also did work in the Republic of Georgia on the Good Governance Initiative sponsored by USAID.

He retired from the NYS Comptroller’s Office. As the Director of State Audits, he transformed many of the office’s audit functions to a modern, risk-based approach, using the latest audit, data analysis, and data mining techniques to find fraud, waste, and improper transactions. Dave also led a team that transformed an outdated State Expenditures Bureau into a model audit unit that dramatically increased the State’s expenditure audit and payment process’s efficiency and effectiveness.

He is co-author of two books: Government Performance Audit in Action and State (6th Edition) and Local Government, Program Control and Audit: Handbook for Managers and Auditors. He also was a faculty member at Siena College and is currently on the Graduate School, USA’s Goivernment Audit Training Institute.

He is a past regional vice president of the Association of Government Accountants and a past president of the New York Capital Chapter. He was on the Financial Management Standards Board Committee. He is also a past president of the Albany Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors and a past member of the International Government Relations Committee and the Emerging Issues Committee. Dave contributes articles to various professional journals that challenge the traditional audit approaches that have failed to find the frauds in major organizations. He’s listed in Marquis’s Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the East. He is a retired Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Government Financial Manager.

The Association of Government Accountants recognized Dave in 2005 and 2015 as the Educator of the Year, and in 2007 he received the National President’s Award.

Dr. Mac joined the graduate school in 2021 and focuses his efforts in the Management Science Department. He is an independent researcher in the areas of Strategic Communication, Homeland Security, Strategic Studies, Evidence-Based Judgement and Decision-Making Analytics, and Information Literacy. Dr. Mac is a curriculum developer and is a peer reviewer with Marine Corps University Press, where he has published and been referenced in SCOPUS (see link below). He holds a Doctorate in management of complex adaptive systems, a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Business Policy, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

He served 24 Years in the U.S. Army, where, like his father and uncle (a Mountford point Marine and Tuskegee Airmen respectively), he picked up the nickname Mac. He served 13 years in the Army Special Operations with the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. He served on Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (as a team leader and a unit commander, respectively). He also served nine years with the US Department of Homeland Security as an intelligence analyst and an infrastructure Security Analyst. Dr Mac is currently developing games that test decision-making tradecraft in a team construct.

Recently, Dr McCullin was contracted as a curriculum developer in the areas of Data Analytics in the Evidence-based Framework and Workforce Analysis. He is currently developing a game learning protocol for Data Driven Decision-Making.

Dr. Deanne M. Larson is a distinguished leader in data science and analytics with over 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, international enterprises, and Fintech organizations through her firm, Larson & Associates, LLC. She specializes in AI-driven strategies, machine learning implementation, customer data platforms, and enterprise data architecture. Among her notable achievements are developing fraud detection models that reduced risk by 30%, managing a global personalization platform for a CPG company serving over 225 million consumers, and delivering innovative data governance solutions in cloud and blockchain environments. Her expertise spans predictive analytics, data integration, and agile project delivery in complex, high-stakes environments.

In academia, Dr. Larson serves as Principal Adjunct Faculty at City University of Seattle, where she mentors doctoral students and develops curricula in data and business analytics. She is passionate about bridging academic research with real-world applications, authoring peer-reviewed publications on MLOps, agile analytics, and data science acceleration. With doctorates in Computer Science (AI), International Management, and Management, as well as a master’s in Business Analytics from NYU, Dr. Larson is a frequent speaker at TDWI conferences and a thought leader in data science, analytics education, and digital transformation.

Deborah Deichman is a management and communications specialist who has developed and delivered training programs in the public sector since 1975. To date, she has trained over 20,000 participants in techniques that enhance management and employee productivity as well as increase their contributions to their organizations. She is known for her ability to quickly adapt to the unique needs of each organization and to rapidly establish rapport with her widely diverse participants. As a result, Debby has conducted training in over 300 federal government agencies that include USAID, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, and USDA Research Centers. 

Ms. Deichman’s flexibility has also allowed her to transition easily from face-to-face classroom training to virtual-led and self-paced online training. Debby’s versatility makes her valuable to several curriculum areas in the Graduate School USA, including the Center for Leadership and Management as an instructor for the Aspiring Leader, New Leader, Executive Leader, and Executive Potential Programs, as well as a reviewer for the Executive Potential Program. She has also served as a trainer to foreign service nationals across the world. Additionally, Debby is skilled in instructional design and redesigned the GSUSA flagship course, Introduction to Supervision. Most recently, she designed 5 courses for the new Emerging Leader Certificate.

Ms. Deichman’s educational background includes a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Debby is a two-time recipient of GSUSA’s highest honor, which is the Faculty Excellence Award, which speaks to the value she brings to her own organization as well as to those in which she conducts training. She also received a newly created Customer Feedback Award for 2023 and 2024 and served on the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Board.

Dr. Dennis Martin is a seasoned financial executive and strategist with over 35 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Army, federal government, higher education, and private industry. A retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and former Chief Financial Officer of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, he directed global fiscal operations, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and advanced compliance and financial transparency initiatives across worldwide programs.

Dr. Martin holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Temple University, dual master’s degrees in finance and business administration from Webster University, and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Alabama A&M University. He has also chaired the supervisory committee of a billion-dollar credit union, ensuring governance, oversight, and financial integrity for military families.

As Founder and CEO of Martin Financial Solutions, he has led initiatives to increase financial literacy and wealth-building strategies in underserved communities. He is the author of Financial Decision Making: Understanding Your Options, a practical guide to informed financial choices. Alongside his executive career, Dr. Martin has served for over 14 years as a professor of finance and business at top universities, mentoring future executives and industry leaders. His career reflects a commitment to ethical leadership, strategic innovation, and empowering individuals and organizations through sound financial management.

DeShanta N. Hinton is a Human Resources Professional who has experience serving in various capacities across the HR industry.  She has a proven track record of leading Staffing, Recruitment, and Classification teams.  During her 35-year tenure as a federal government employee, she has worked in 5 different agencies where she became well-versed in the following HR areas: Recruitment & Staffing, Personnel Processing, eOPF administration & maintenance, Quality Assurance, Benefits & Compensation, and Employee & Labor Relations.  

DeShanta is enthusiastic about writing and mentoring.  In 2018, she became a published author.  Collaborating with other women of influence and information, this humbling experience provided DeShanta with a therapeutic process for healing, growing, maturing, and becoming a better version of herself. Through her heart’s work, in 2016, DeShanta began partnering with a few non-profit organizations across the Washington, DC metro area to formally mentor low-income Washingtonians.

Leaning into her love for learning, DeShanta furthered her education by obtaining the following degrees: an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration.  Her passion for Human Resources ignited her journey to becoming an Instructor at the Graduate School, where she now facilitates Human Resources Management courses. 

She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, and growing plants in her spare time.

Doris McMillon, is one of the top media training consultants in the United States, who has served government agencies, non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 corporations with award-winning campaigns and measurable success for more than 30 years.

She offers a variety of communications services from dynamic leadership training to community outreach and media placement. McMillon is noted for personalized service and attention to detail. Doris McMillon is nationally renowned for her expertise in key message development, media interview training, executive presentation coaching, image branding, and customer service training and facilitation. McMillon has decades of experience in Communications training, reaching and motivating diverse audiences, specifically in the education arena.

Ms. McMillon’s personal stamp of integrity and efficiency is the guiding force behind her long-term success. A veteran journalist, newscaster, and producer, this communications strategist has decades of business experience. Her work includes posts at major market radio stations, the three major networks, and cable news networks.

She is an instructor at The Graduate School USA in Washington, D.C., where she teaches all levels of government employees how to communicate effectively in their workplace. In addition, Ms. McMillon provides online instruction for the school’s communications courses. She provides media interview training for senior executive service personnel who are tasked with providing important policy-making functions.

As a sought-after speaker and event host, Ms. McMillon also provides spokesperson presentation coaching. She is a co-author of The ABCs of Media: Turning Negative News into Positive Press. She is currently working on a publication entitled, An Accidental Entrepreneur: My Unexpected Journey.

Ms. McMillon is the author of Mixed Blessing, an autobiography that tells the story of her search for her German mother and African American father. Her production of Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder is an award-winning documentary that chronicles the plight of mixed-race children born in Germany after World War II.

A polished actress, Ms. McMillon plays herself as an anchorwoman in Clint Eastwood’s Movie, IN THE LINE OF FIRE, Wesley Snipes’ movie, MURDER AT 1600, and HEAD OF STATE, with Chris Rock and Bernie Mac. She also plays herself as a news anchor for the TV series The West Wing, NCIS, and The Wire.

For eight years, McMillon hosted Education News Parents Can Use for the U.S. Department of Education. The program focused on schools, learning, and the implementation of federal education regulations and law, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Its purpose was to offer parents information about getting involved in their children’s learning. Some of the topics addressed were Math and Science Education: Critical Skills for the 21st Century, Teacher Quality: Inspiring Excellence and Strengthening Innovation, and Transforming Higher Education: Access and Affordability for All Students. In addition, McMillon was the Education Reporter at WJLA TV, Channel 7, in Washington, D.C. She is a dual citizen of the United States and the European Union (Germany), and is conversant in French.

Frank Connor has been an Instructor with Graduate School USA since 2010. He has presented over 375 courses, including: Pay Setting: General Schedule; Pay Setting: Federal Wage System; Qualifications Analysis; Federal Staffing and Placement; Adjudicating Veterans Preference; and Preparing and Conducting Reduction In Force. Mr. Connor retired from the federal government in April of 2010 following 34 years of service, most recently as the Associate Regional Director for Administration for the National Park Service’s Northeast Region.

Mr. Connor had a decade of experience leading human resources programs. He served as the Civilian Personnel Director for the Naval Air Propulsion Center in Trenton, NJ, and the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia, PA. He was Human Resource Director of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and Deputy Human Resource Director for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

He also had assignments in human resources and administration at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, MI; Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ; and the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Labor and Navy in Philadelphia.

Frank holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA and a Master of Arts in Management from Central Michigan University. He has done additional graduate study at Farleigh Dickinson University. He was an NDFL fellow of the University of Washington, Seattle. He completed the Certificate Program of the Administrative and Service Institute of the University of Tennessee.

Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing.

During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices.

Dr. Le'Angela Ingram is a globally recognized leadership advisor, change management expert, and executive coach with over 20 years of experience transforming organizations and individuals across the public, private, and academic sectors. As the founder of Ingram Consulting Group International, she has consulted with more than 200 federal agencies and numerous global institutions, delivering high-impact strategies in organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and emotional intelligence. Her work has spanned three continents, where she has designed and facilitated seminars, workshops, and conferences that drive measurable improvements in employee engagement, cultural competence, workflow efficiency, and cost reduction.

Dr. Ingram’s academic credentials include a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Howard University. She has also completed fellowships in Change Management and Women, Leadership, and Change at Johns Hopkins. Certified in Transition Management, Emotional Intelligence, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Dr. Ingram is a sought-after speaker and trainer, known for her ability to foster inclusive leadership and guide organizations through complex transitions. Her clients include the U.S. Department of State, USAID, NASA, Johns Hopkins University, and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Linda Haynes-Jackson has worked as a contractor to the Federal Government and Graduate School for over 35 years. She facilitates a plethora of training classes, which include all levels of Microsoft Applications such as Excel, Power BI, Power Pivot, Access, Outlook, Word, Teams, and PowerPoint. In addition, she offers: Customer Service training and Section 508 Compliant Guidelines. She has delivered instruction to all levels of staff, including those who require special accommodations, and has received numerous training instruction awards. Her doctorate studies in Personnel Administration were at New York University. She has an M.A. from Villanova University and a B.S. from Temple University. She also managed an independent consulting company with clients such as: FBI, Environmental Protection Agency, Secret Service, USDA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NIH, Johnson and Johnson, Campbell Soup, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. She has won numerous awards for training from Fortune 500 companies and federal, state, and local governments. In addition, she has served as an Adjunct Professor at several accredited colleges for many years. Ms. Haynes-Jackson has been noted as a passionate, energetic, and engaging instructor.

Mark E. Gebicke is an accomplished consultant and instructor with over 50 years of experience in auditing, leadership, and federal program evaluation. A retired Senior Executive from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Mark spent two decades in GAO's Senior Executive Service, where he led performance reviews and provided congressional testimony on critical issues for agencies such as NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. His expertise spans personnel, readiness, logistics, budget, operations, anti-terrorism, and weapon systems, as well as performance reviews for agencies like the Federal Reserve, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Energy.

In addition to his auditing and consulting work, Mark has been a dedicated instructor at Graduate School USA since 2008. He draws on his extensive experience to teach courses on auditing techniques, leadership, and project management. During his tenure at GAO, he also developed and implemented the agency's Professional Development Program, managing over 200 new staff annually and mentoring Senior Executive Service candidates. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from High Point University and a Master of Science in Governmental Administration from George Washington University, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to both GAO and Graduate School USA.

Michele is a business strategist and Human Resources pioneer – delivering over 25 years of HR Management, Organizational Development, and leadership training to a variety of industries, which include the public, private, federal government, and higher education sectors.

Scope of Expertise: Michele’s core competencies lie in the areas of Organizational Assessment and Development, Performance Management, Human Resources Management, Professional Development and Leadership Training, Transition and Change Management, Workforce and Career Development, and Conflict Resolution. Michele’s core competencies focus on creating a synergistic work environment where employees thrive to be successful by not only bringing their realized and unrealized strengths to their tasks, but also are allowed to experience the joy and happiness to the outcome of efficient and effective work products. She guides individuals through a journey to find their passion for work at work.

Her consulting and organizational effectiveness expertise has credited her with improving performance efficiencies within business units and operations by as much as 70%. She is the former Project Manager and Lead Consultant on Building a Great Place to Work for the DC Courts Human Resources Division, having led the initiative for the creation of the HRD Five-year Strategic Plan and Workforce Development Program, “Fulfilling Our Future.”

Michele has held senior-level executive positions at the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l; at Howard University, Washington, DC as Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Management; and at Executive Transitions International, Inc. as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Consulting Services. She has been an adjunct instructor at the George Washington University, Washington, DC and is currently adjunct faculty at Anne Arundel Community College, Anne Arundel, MD and the Graduate School, USA. She is the founder and President of RENQUEST & ASSOCIATES, INC., "Your Pathway to Excellence,” an independent consulting group in Organizational Effectiveness, Business Development, Human Resources Development, Business Operations, Change and Transition Management, Outsourcing, Facilitative Training, and Career Planning.

Michele holds a BBA in Personnel Management from the George Washington University, Washington, DC. She has also held several Board of Directors’ positions in many professional associations. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, The Association for Talent Development, The International Association of Career Management Professionals, and The International Society for Performance Improvement. She is certified in the DiSC profile and certified as a mediator for the District of Columbia. She has been certified as a Career Management Practitioner by the International Board of Career Management Certification. Michele is a recipient of the Graduate School USA’s Customer Excellence Award and a recipient of the Business and Professional Women’s League, Inc. Business Award.

Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA.

Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Penny N. Popps is an exceptional leader with 20+ years of private and public sector experience and expertise in the field of accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls. She is the recipient of multiple public service, appreciation, recognition, and performance awards. And she’s currently devoted to teaching Financial Management courses at Graduate School USA as an Instructor.

During her almost 15 years as a Federal Government Public Servant, she had many pivotal transformational leadership roles including being the 1st Fraud Risk Manager at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) where she successfully helped to mature its Fraud Risk Management Program.

She has a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University, Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy from Dallas College, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) Financial Management Certifications along with an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Certification.

Prior to SBA, she had a career at HUD that spans over six years managing projects that ensured the successful and efficient delivery of affordable, safe, and decent housing to U.S. citizens along with safeguarding HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse. While at HUD she led multiple audit teams in the execution of complex quality control reviews of independent public accounting firms (Single Audits), CIGIE reviews, financial assessments, staffing studies, annual OMB A-123 risk assessment reviews for the Accountability, Integrity, & Risk (AIR) Program, etc.

During her Federal Government career, she also was the Branch Chief of Financial Reporting at the DHS ICE OCFO, Office of FM-Financial Service Center. She oversaw the operations of both the Payroll and Fund Balance with Treasury Units for all DHS ICE components which processed approximately $5.2B in payroll transactions and reconciled $10.1B in cash transactions, achieving improved optimization of FM.

For many years, she also successfully led and supervised audit teams at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in which she recovered millions in questioned costs owed from contractors. And within state government, she recovered millions of sales and use tax dollars owed to the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts as she led various audits. All of her efforts ensured that taxpayer dollars were being utilized reasonably and efficiently.

Popps’ many years of experience in the private sector included helping to build successful internal audit divisions at major corporations such as Essilor Group and Fossil Group. During her career, she continues to gain expertise and knowledge while paying it forward by mentoring, coaching, and training those new to the accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls industries.

Popps is very passionate about all her philanthropy and volunteer efforts, especially with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Junior League of Washington. It’s her mission to continue to provide service to all mankind during her career, in retirement, and throughout her life. She currently resides in Alexandria, VA and spends her leisure time reading.

Richard Rodieck is a seasoned human resources professional and instructor with over 50 years of experience in federal HR management, specializing in position classification, staffing, and organizational development. A retired federal employee, Richard has held leadership roles in agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, USDA, and the Department of Justice, where he managed classification programs, developed HR policies, and supervised large teams of HR specialists. Notably, he served as Chief of the Corporate Classification Team for the U.S. Forest Service, where he reviewed and certified over 2,600 Standard Position Descriptions (SPDs) and resolved complex classification issues. Richard’s expertise extends to developing training programs, authoring HR handbooks, and providing technical guidance to senior leadership.

Since 1998, Richard has been an instructor at Graduate School USA, where he has authored and revised numerous HR textbooks and self-paced courses. His teaching portfolio includes a wide range of federal HR topics, with a focus on classification principles and practices. Richard’s dedication to excellence has earned him multiple Faculty Excellence Awards from Graduate School USA, including recognition as HRM Instructor of the Year. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Richard also holds advanced coursework in public administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Sarah Gurwitz brings over 30 years of expertise in Human Resource Management, currently serving as an HR consultant for both federal and private sector organizations. She is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Administration, where she designs and teaches graduate-level courses in Human Resource Management for the MPA program.

Sarah’s career includes more than two decades as the Director of Human Resource Management at a VA Medical Center in New York City, alongside 10 years as an HR Consultant to the office of the Under Secretary for the Veterans Health Administration. Her recent work spans HR training, the development and delivery of diverse Human Capital programs, HR program assessments, technical HR guidance, organizational evaluations, workforce planning, and policy development. She has collaborated with several federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice, as well as private-sector not-for-profit religious organizations. Sarah has also volunteered with the Peace Corps in South America and currently works as a tour guide specializing in New York's historic Lower East Side.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Education from SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY and a Master of Arts in Education from Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. She has taken numerous continuing education classes in Human Resource Management, computer skill development, and leadership.

With nearly four decades of distinguished service in federal Human Resources leadership, Sineta Scott Robertson is a seasoned executive and educator recognized for her expertise in Title 5 Human Resources, workforce planning, organizational design, and employee engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing strategic human capital management across Cabinet-level agencies, serving as both a transformative leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and policymakers.

Throughout her career, Sineta has held pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, and Department of Agriculture, where she guided national HR policy, labor relations, workforce innovation, and program oversight. Notable achievements include leading the Department of Transportation’s efforts to become a “Telework Ready” agency, implementing its HR Accountability and Pathways Programs, and spearheading process improvements that significantly reduced error rates and enhanced performance management scores.

Beyond government service, Sineta has extended her expertise to the classroom as an Adjunct Human Resources Instructor with Graduate School USA, where she equips HR professionals, supervisors, and executives with practical and technical knowledge in federal human resources systems, policies, and practices.

In 2014, she founded Perspectives for Peace, LLC, a consulting and Christian coaching practice. Through this work, she partners with organizations to strengthen HR effectiveness and provides faith-based executive and life coaching, helping leaders align purpose, performance, and peace.

Her career is marked by a commitment to people—helping agencies build high-performing, motivated workforces while guiding individuals to unlock their potential and live with clarity of purpose.

Sineta holds a master’s in Christian counseling from Newburgh Theological Seminary (2024) and is a Doctoral Candidate in Christian Counseling (expected 2026). She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary.

A respected professional, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Sineta Scott Robertson continues to merge her passion for organizational excellence with her calling to serve others through coaching, teaching, and ministry.

Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals.

Willie Morris is a seasoned Project and Program Management professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in both Traditional and Agile delivery methodologies. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Willie has served as a Registered Educational Provider (R.E.P.) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and an Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P.) with Rita Mulcahy (RMC) Learning Solutions, where he taught PMP® Exam Prep Certification Courses. His extensive career includes leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, Delta Air Lines, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), where he excelled in project and portfolio management.

A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Willie served as an Air Mission Planner, Project Manager, and Program Manager, focusing on South American and Caribbean Joint Special Operations. He also worked as a formal courseware developer, instructor, and flight examiner for the Air Education and Training Command. After retiring from the Air Force, Willie transitioned to roles in asset management and project management within the Department of Homeland Security and later in the private sector. His passion for education led him to teach aspiring project managers at Kennesaw State University and Graduate School USA, where he continues to share his expertise. Willie holds advanced degrees in Aeronautical Science and Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with multiple certifications in project management and aviation safety.

Robert (Bob) Criscuolo retired from federal service after over 37 years of government healthcare experience at the local, regional and Central Office levels. His early career included over a decade of hands-on patient care and clinical staff support. His last 12 years was serving as a senior leader within the Department of Veterans Affairs. He mastered efforts to build a nationwide Healthcare Compliance and Business Integrity architecture providing oversight to over 160 healthcare systems nationwide. As a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and Chief Officer, he was responsible for the strategic direction of national programs, defining operational architecture and commensurate national policies.

Bringing extensive experience with strategic leadership briefings and synchronized communication, he led a wide array of executive and oversight committees, virtual stakeholder groups, advocacy organization collaboratives and community/regional/virtual government healthcare partnerships.

Post retirement work teaching includes a tenure at New York University (NYU) Graduate School of Public Policy (The Wagner School), the US Graduate School in DC plus leadership consulting for public sector and federal agencies. He currently serves on a variety of community, non-profit and educational Boards.

Receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Long Island University and Advanced Degrees in Public Administration and Healthcare Management from Fairleigh Dickenson University, he was among the inaugural class of Certified Compliance Executives recognized by the Council of Ethical Organizations and has credentials as a Certified Compliance Officer, Certified Mentor Fellow and retired member of the Senior Executive Service.

Melanie Dooley is a seasoned expert in federal acquisition and contracting with more than three decades of experience spanning government, industry, and education. She has built a distinguished career as both a practitioner and educator, serving as a Vice President of Acquisition Policy for SAIC, a managing editor for the Federal Contracts Report at Bloomberg BNA, and an instructor and curriculum developer for Graduate School USA. Her background includes deep knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, the federal budget and appropriations cycle, and the intricacies of acquisition policy. She has also cultivated an exceptional ability to translate complex policy and contracting issues into practical guidance, having trained members of the defense and civilian acquisition workforce at all levels.

In addition to her leadership roles, Melanie brings corporate strategy experience, extensive editorial expertise from her years in the trade press, and a strong record of shaping acquisition policy within a major defense contractor. She is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association, where she has held leadership roles including VP of Programs and Fellows Chair. With an MBA from Georgetown University and a reputation for clarity, rigor, and real-world insight, Melanie has become a trusted resource to federal professionals, corporate leaders, and students alike.

Clarissa J. Corbin is an accomplished corporate trainer, project manager, and business consultant with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering impactful learning experiences. As President and CEO of Projections Training Solutions, she partners with federal agencies, private corporations, and international organizations to provide results-driven training in leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies.

Clarissa has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, serving clients such as the DoD, NASA, FEMA, Microsoft, Citibank, PNC Bank, Del Monte, and Symantec. Her expertise has taken her across the globe, leading initiatives in Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Thomas, USVI. Known for her ability to engage diverse audiences and create interactive, high-impact sessions, Clarissa equips participants with practical solutions they can apply immediately.

At Graduate School USA (GSUSA), Clarissa is regarded as one of the most versatile and trusted instructors. She teaches across multiple programs. She played a pivotal role in redesigning the flagship “Managing for Results” course, while also contributing to the development and review of numerous others. Her contributions have earned her two GSUSA Customer Excellence Awards and a two-year appointment to the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Council, underscoring her commitment to innovation, quality, and learner success.

Eulica Kimber, CPA, MBA is a retired federal audit professional with over 20 years of federal government service, skilled in facilitating agency-level CFO Act audits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia State University and an MBA from the College of William and Mary.

Throughout her career, Eulica has devised and executed impactful plans resulting in documented financial improvements and successful audit execution within the Department of the Army, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A subject matter expert in audit readiness, financial audit facilitation, and remediation, she has led agency-wide financial improvement efforts, developed corrective action plans, and facilitated walkthroughs with auditors.

Now retired from her role as Acquisition Director for Audit Readiness in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Eulica brings deep, practical knowledge of federal financial reporting, internal controls, and FIAR compliance to her teaching at Graduate School USA.

Previous Federal Titles and Agencies:

• Director, Audit Readiness, Acquisition – Department of the Army
• Financial Improvement & Audit Readiness (FIAR) Program Manager / Accountant – Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
• Accountant – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Senior Auditor – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General
• Senior Auditor – Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), Office of Inspector General
• Internal Revenue Agent (Auditor) – Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Arlene B. Thurston is a seasoned Human Resources (HR) professional at Graduate School USA. She has 20 years of federal expertise specializing in HR operations, workforce development, and strategic human capital management. She currently serves as a Human Resources Instructor at Graduate School USA, where she trains and mentors HR practitioners across federal government agencies, leveraging her extensive expertise to strengthen the federal workforce.

Her federal career spans multiple distinguished agencies, including the Department of the Army, U.S. Department of State, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Inspector General, and the Executive Office of the President. Through these roles, she gained comprehensive expertise in recruitment & placement, classification, compliance, and policy development, as well as in leading organizational change and workforce planning initiatives at the highest levels of government in Washington, D.C.

As founder and CEO of HR Resolutions, Arlene provides strategic consulting to corporations and serves as a User Experience (UX) designer for international technology firms, specializing in the design of HR platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that support the future of work and human resources.

Recognized as a dynamic leader and mentor, Arlene combines her technical HR knowledge with a passion for people-centered leadership. Colleagues describe her as a high-energy professional who leads with humor, warmth, and authenticity. Raised in the great state of Louisiana, Arlene carries her southern hospitality into every room she enters. Outside of her professional roles, she is a life coach, traveler, volunteer, mentor, and advocate for mental health/wellness—dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others one human at a time!

With over 17 years of distinguished service in the federal government, Grover Simmons is a proven change agent dedicated to driving accountability, innovation, and leadership development. Throughout his career, he has held progressive roles including Auditor, Supervisory Auditor, Assistant Audit Field Director, Audit Director, Director of Quality and Operations Management, Audit Instructor, Platform Leadership Instructor, and Chaplain.

Mr. Simmons holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), bringing both strategic oversight and technical expertise to his work.

His career reflects a commitment not only to excellence in audit and oversight, but also to cultivating the next generation of leaders. As both an audit and leadership instructor, he has designed and delivered training that equips professionals with the skills to thrive in complex, high-stakes environments. His service as a chaplain further underscores his dedication to holistic leadership, fostering resilience, integrity, and care within the communities he serves.

Guided by an authentic passion for continuous improvement and ethical stewardship, Mr. Simmons is recognized as a results-driven leader who builds trust, advances organizational effectiveness, and inspires positive change.

Johnny Bynum most recently served as Director of Workforce Relations Division (WRD), a new division he was assigned to within the Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of Human (OHR), Human Capital Directorate (HCD) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Johnny stood up the Workforce Relations Division and became the fearless owner and leader of six program areas. (Retirement and Benefits, Special Leave Programs, Workplace Flexibilities Program, Performance Management and Awards, Workers Compensation and he also developed and stood up the DHHS Work life Branch).

He also served as the HQ Benefits Officer for approximately 90k employees across the enterprise. During his time in DHHS leadership, he worked with HHS and its 11 Operating Divisions to develop policies and processes for employees navigating programs that were considered life cycle events. He also acted as the agency’s primary educator of the Federal Benefits Programs, Benefits Officer.

Angelo M. Capolupo is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with over 38 years of military service and more than four decades of federal financial management experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), with a Master’s degree in Accounting from Rider University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Throughout his career, Angelo has held senior financial leadership roles, including Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer for the New Jersey Army & Air National Guard, as well as CFO for the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. His expertise spans federal budgeting, accounting, auditing, internal controls, payroll, grants management, and federal appropriations law. Notably, he established centralized funding and accounting operations supporting over $1.7 billion in wartime funding during deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, and Germany.

Angelo has taught federal financial management to audiences ranging from entry-level staff to senior executives and continues to bring real-world experience into the classroom. He joined the GSUSA instructor team in early 2024 and is committed to helping students understand federal financial practices through practical examples and historical context.

Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance.

Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years.

Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

Joe has over 27 years of Federal Government and military service and has been a part-time instructor with Graduate School USA since 2023. He enjoys using his technical knowledge in Operations Research to teach his students to provide organization and structure to complex processes, and apply advanced analytical techniques to help leaders make better decisions. Joe is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Lynette Johnson is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 30 years of experience in HR operations and policy roles, specializing in federal benefits administration. She is a trusted subject matter expert, known for her leadership in providing program oversight, policy development, and interpretive guidance on federal retirement systems and benefit programs. Lynette has been frequently called upon to serve on various working groups, contributing her expertise in training, succession planning, strategic planning, and HR management.

Lynette has served as an Agency Benefits Officer, overseeing the administration of federal benefit programs, including retirement systems, health and life insurance, dental and vision benefits, Thrift Savings, and the Employee Assistance Program. She has delivered interpretive policy advisory services to HR professionals, employees, and senior executives, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Her experience also includes designing and conducting refresher training for HR Generalists to enhance day-to-day operations and compliance. As a Senior Benefits Policy Advisor, Lynette provided consultative guidance on applicable laws, regulations, and agency directives.

In addition to her consultative work, Lynette has led and coordinated audits and compliance reviews, ensuring adherence to federal regulations and organizational standards. She has also planned and delivered educational events to help the workforce better understand federal benefits programs and updates.

Lynette is committed to advancing excellence in Human Resources and benefits administration, with a focus on empowering employees and HR professionals alike. Her dedication to fostering compliance, enhancing organizational effectiveness, and ensuring that federal benefit programs continue to support the workforce with clarity, equity, and care makes her a highly valued instructor in the field.

Christina Pacunas is an Air Force Veteran and senior-level Human Resources Officer with more than 11 years of experience leading human capital initiatives across diverse environments. She brings proven expertise in talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee development, and organizational change management, with a track record of aligning HR strategies to business objectives that drive performance, strengthen culture, and boost employee engagement.

Christina is recognized for building high-performing teams and implementing data-driven HR solutions. She has extensive experience delivering virtual training to federal employees, specializing in the federal recruitment and staffing lifecycle. Her subject matter expertise spans strategic recruitment discussions, hiring flexibilities, job analysis, job announcement development, adjudicating veterans' preference, pay setting, onboarding, calculating service computation dates, coding personnel actions, electronic personnel file management, and process improvement.

Her deep knowledge of federal HR is grounded in applying key authorities and resources, including the Guide to Personnel Processing, Guide to Data Standards, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, the Delegated Examining Handbook, Executive Orders, and Office of Personnel Management policies. She held a Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) Certification valid through March 2025 and maintains an active SHRM-CP credential.

A former federal employee, Christina has served in key HR roles with the Department of the Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, United States Agency for International Development, Department of Justice, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Christina holds a master's degree in Human Services Administration and a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.

Michelle Bennett is an accomplished audit professional with over 20 years of experience across the Air Force and Army National Guard. Holding positions ranging from Audit Trainee to Supervisory Auditor, Michelle has built deep expertise in audit standards, financial analysis, and personnel management. Her credentials include being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), reflecting her comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in the field.

In her current role as Supervisory Auditor at the Oklahoma Army National Guard's United States Property and Fiscal Office, Michelle leads the Oklahoma Internal Review audit office, developing and overseeing a risk-based audit program that ensures compliance with government regulations. She has designed and taught several audit-related courses, including the NASBA-certified Audit Boot Camp, Statistical Sampling for Audits, and Intensive Performance Auditing Course (IPAC), significantly contributing to the development of audit talent.

Previously, as an Auditor at the same office, Michelle played a critical role in the National Guard Bureau-Internal Review Audit Software Team, streamlining the audit process by developing standardized templates using HighBond software. She also led a national training event that improved the use of audit software across the nation. Her experience spans conducting audits and non-audit services, with a notable history of identifying financial errors and contributing to substantial savings for the Department of Defense.

Michelle’s expertise extends to data analysis, curriculum development, and training delivery. She has facilitated agency-wide software rollouts, developed training materials, and led workshops, all aimed at improving audit effectiveness. Her work continues to influence audit practices, making her a valued instructor in the field.

Michelle is a recognized leader in her field, having earned multiple awards, including the Supervisory Auditor of the Year from the National Guard Bureau Internal Review in 2024. Her commitment to advancing excellence in auditing and financial management, combined with her hands-on experience, ensures she provides practical, real-world insights to her students.

Major General Marshall H. Scantlin retired after a distinguished career in both active duty and reserve service. He began in the 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma National Guard, rising from enlisted roles to command assignments across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. His leadership included commanding the 28th Combat Support Hospital, directing medical and logistical operations during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Eager Light, and Bright Star, and serving as Commander of the Texas State Guard Medical Brigade.

A graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Command and General Staff College, and multiple Army schools, Scantlin also earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Business Administration from Webster University. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (w/5 oak leaf clusters), Southwest Asia Service Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal, as well as the Expert Field Medical Badge and Master Parachutist Badge. Beyond military honors, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, inducted into the Oklahoma National Guard OCS Hall of Fame, and honored in the Oklahoma Tau Kappa Epsilon Hall of Fame.

Dr. Herring is a retired federal employee of 40+ years who enjoyed various assignments working with the military in the States and abroad. Throughout her time as a federal employee, Dr. Herring held positions of leadership working with top military and civilian managers focused on organizational change and process improvement. As Director of Business Transformation with the Under Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Herring was awarded for leading efforts to streamline processes across the Navy organization that led to substantial cost savings. Upon retirement, Dr. Herring worked as a consultant to various organizations in process improvement. During this time, she obtained Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Villanova University. Dr. Herring also pursued her lifelong dream of obtaining higher education in the discipline of Theology. While working with her local church as an administrator, she developed plans and policies to ensure the continuation of church services and ministries in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts led to her doctoral thesis on how the pandemic changed the way churches operate in a socially distanced environment through digital technology and social media. Dr. Herring currently works as an Adjunct Professor with the Graduate School and an Executive Director for a non-profit organization. Dr. Herring holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University. She also holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University. Dr. Herring resides in Tampa, Florida, and has two adult children and three grandchildren.

Dr. Cheryl McCloud brings over 35 years of experience in global supply chain management and trade compliance across industries. As a licensed U.S. Customs Broker and holder of a Federal Maritime Corporate License, she has guided some of the world’s top shippers in navigating complex import and export regulations. Her expertise spans inventory management, project management, and operational forecasting, integrating global regulatory frameworks into supply chain strategies.

Dr. McCloud has taught logistics, lifecycle management, and project leadership at institutions including American Public University System (APUS) and American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). Recognized by The Journal of Commerce as a leading woman in trade and transportation and an honoree of Inc. 500’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, she continues to contribute thought leadership to publications such as Shipping Solutions – Transportation and Logistics.

Rhonda Coachman-Steward is a seasoned federal human resources leader with more than 30 years of experience in recruitment, staffing, classification, employee relations, executive resources, and HR policy development. She has held senior HR roles across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service. She is known for her strong analytical skills, strategic leadership, and deep expertise in federal HR operations and systems.

At Graduate School USA, Ms. Coachman-Steward teaches a range of Federal HR training courses, drawing on her extensive experience overseeing major HR functions and advising senior executives. She is proficient in systems such as NFC, DFAS, DCPS, PeopleSoft, QuickHire, and USA Staffing, and holds a Certificate in Computer Programming from Strayer University, along with Computer Science studies at the University of Maryland. Her work has been recognized with numerous federal awards, including multiple Special Act or Service Awards, Quality Step Increases, Time Off Awards, and Inspector General commendations.

Ashley Otto is an accomplished educator and human resources professional with over 20 years of personal and professional experience in government HR. As an Instructor at Graduate School USA, she is known for presenting complex HR course material in an engaging, professional, and highly effective manner.

Drawing from extensive real-world experience, Ashley enriches her classes with practical examples that help students connect theory to application. She is passionate about teaching and takes great pride in helping other professionals strengthen the skills that will support their success throughout their careers.

Ashley holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and continues to dedicate her work to advancing excellence in public service through education and professional development.

Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. 

In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate the complexities of data, project management, and the transformative potential of AI.

Trina Freeland Petty retired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General in September 2020 where she served as the Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management/Director of Human Resources. Her professional experience includes a long career in the various operational areas of human resources management, business and financial management, strategic planning, training and development and serving as a leader for different opportunities for career development opportunities. Through her strong commitment to sharing her knowledge, Trina has served as a mentor and leader to many who have crossed her path.

As a former civil servant, Trina wanted to share her knowledge with others, so she began her next chapter in her book of life working at the Graduate School US in September 2023. She teaches students on a virtual training platform, in-person, and in a hybrid setting in areas of human resources. Her expertise is in Position Classification, and she teaches both basic and advanced workshops on the subject.

Trina also served in the United States Army National Guard in (the former name) Personnel Operations for 6 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Industrial Psychology from Hampton University and her Master of Science (MS) in Management with a Human Resources Concentration from the former University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Henry Gonzalez has been a part-time instructor with the Graduate School USA since retiring in 2015 with more than 30 years of federal government service as an engineer, manager, and executive focused on program management and acquisition of advanced technology systems for national missions in naval warfare, air traffic management, and homeland security. Upon retirement, he started providing freelance training in project and program management, leadership, and strategic planning to a variety of global clients in the private and public sectors, bringing his practitioner’s insights and lessons learned to the classroom. 

Mr. Gonzalez obtained the highest levels of federal government certification in acquisition program management and in systems engineering. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and served on the initial core group that led an update to the Project Management Institute’s Standard for Program Management. Henry is also a certified Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP) in strategic planning, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University, as well as Master of Science degrees in Ocean Engineering and in Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Outside of his professional life, Henry has been very active with non-profit volunteer organizations. He is the President of a national historic lighthouse preservation organization, and he and his wife started a charitable non-profit to support the primary, secondary, and university education of students in a remote area of Haiti.

James T. Campbell is a subject matter expert in federal financial management with more than a decade of experience developing and teaching budgeting, accounting, auditing, and internal control courses at Graduate School USA. His background includes extensive federal management consulting and audit work as a Senior Principal Consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and IBM Consulting Services, as well as a long career providing independent audit and review services with the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

At Graduate School USA, James Campbell leads classes on internal control requirements, performance auditing, federal accounting, financial statements, analysis techniques, and budgeting. He has also served as lead SME for the design of several open-enrollment courses focused on decision support and analytical skills. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from East Tennessee State University, an M.P.A. from Georgia State University, and is an active member of the AICPA and the Association of Government Accountants.

Lyndon Remias is a trailblazer in the field of government auditing, known for his integrity, leadership, and commitment to public accountability. With over 28 years of experience spanning public, private, and governmental sectors, Lyndon has built a reputation as a trusted expert in financial oversight and risk management. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)—credentials that reflect both his technical mastery and dedication to excellence.

Lyndon’s career includes impactful roles at organizations such as the City of Virginia Beach, Amerigroup Corporation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, NEXCOM, Auditor of Public Accounts, and KPMG, where he honed his skills in operational auditing, compliance, and performance evaluation. His leadership extended into public service when he was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board, demonstrating his commitment to community engagement and education. A passionate educator and thought leader, Lyndon has served as a seminar instructor for the Graduate School and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), earning recognition as a Distinguished Instructor for his engaging delivery and deep subject matter expertise. He has presented at numerous professional conferences and has held key leadership positions within the IIA and the Virginia Local Government Auditors Association (VLGAA), including serving as President of both organizations.

Currently, Lyndon contributes to the profession as a peer review team leader for the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), helping ensure audit quality and ethical standards across the country. A proud graduate of Old Dominion University, Lyndon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. In 2013, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from ODU’s Accounting Department for his outstanding contributions to the profession and the university.

Melinda Ostermeyer, MSOD, is a nationally respected senior instructional trainer and OD expert whose career reflects more than three decades of advancing excellence in conflict resolution, mediation, team effectiveness, and leadership development. As Director of Programs at ADR Vantage, Inc., she oversees complex organizational initiatives while continuing to deliver high-impact training, facilitation, coaching, and mediation services to leaders and teams navigating high-stakes environments.

Melinda’s professional journey is defined by both depth and breadth. She has designed and administered large-scale dispute resolution systems, trained and mentored hundreds of mediators and other professionals, and consulted with U.S. government agencies, international justice systems, NGOs, and private-sector organizations to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and resilience.

Earlier in her career, she directed the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the Dispute Resolution Centers of Houston, Texas, training and evaluating the performance of hundreds of mediators and shaping programs that handled complex civil, family, workplace, and probate matters while setting standards for mediator performance and accountability. She has also consulted with the justice systems of more than a dozen countries, establishing mediation programs and training, mentoring, and evaluating the performance of their mediators.

A gifted educator, Melinda has taught graduate-level mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution courses and has served as a senior advisor and program manager supporting global organizational resilience efforts.

What distinguishes Melinda is her ability to translate complex human dynamics into clear, actionable skills. Whether guiding leaders through tough conversations, equipping managers to mediate workplace disputes, or helping teams rebuild trust and alignment, she creates learning experiences that are grounded, practical, and transformative. Her work empowers individuals and organizations not only to resolve conflict, but to harness it as a catalyst for clarity, growth, and sustained performance.

Her academic foundation, an M.S. in Organization Development from Johns Hopkins University and an Executive Coaching certification from Georgetown University, anchors her work in rigorous theory and practical application.

Tara Taylor, MPA, is a dynamic senior instructional trainer, consultant, and nationally recognized conflict management expert whose 25+ year career has been dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and organizations engage across differences with clarity, courage, and skill. As Managing Director of ADR Vantage, Inc., she leads the firm’s strategic direction while designing and delivering high-impact training, mediation, facilitation, and organizational development services for federal agencies, private sector, and nonprofit clients.

Tara’s expertise bridges collaborative problem-solving, government relations, and leadership development with a deep commitment to driving organizational effectiveness efforts that build powerful and positive workplace cultures. She has served clients including the TSA, the U.S. Air Force, NARA, EEOC, DHS, and PepsiCo, equipping managers and employees with practical tools to navigate workplace conflict, strengthen team effectiveness, and lead inclusively.

Over the course of her career, she has trained a wide variety of professionals, mediated hundreds of disputes, designed integrated conflict management systems, and created and directed Maryland’s first statewide civil rights government mediation program.

A highly engaging facilitator and “Top 10 Speaker” recognized by SHRM, Tara is known for her energetic, interactive training style and her ability to translate complex group dynamics into actionable skills. She has taught mediation, negotiation, and conflict management at the graduate level and authored journal articles on dispute resolution and intergroup dialogue. Whether leading in-person intensives, virtual programs, or multi-day strategic retreats or skills trainings, she creates environments where participants feel challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

Grounded in an M.S. in Public Administration from Wilmington University and a coaching certification from the NeuroLeadership Institute (NLP), Tara brings both systems thinking and human insight to her work. She coaches executives, supervisors, and emerging leaders to build cultures of accountability, inclusion, and resilience. Above all, Tara is driven by a passion for helping workplaces and communities move beyond polarization toward productive, mission-focused conversations, turning conflict into an opportunity for stronger leadership and sustainable results.

Becky Bell, Ph.D., is an accomplished organizational development and conflict management consultant with more than 25 years of experience as a mediator, facilitator, trainer, coach, and nationally recognized speaker. A passionate advocate for conflict transformation, Becky designs and delivers engaging, results-oriented experiences that help individuals and organizations move from tension to collaboration, and from impasse to productive action.

As a senior practitioner for ADR Vantage, she provides consultation, mediation, coaching, and customized training services focused on strengthening workplace relationships and enhancing leadership effectiveness. Becky specializes in helping organizations manage complex workplace challenges while building the communication and conflict resolution skills necessary for long-term success. Her approach integrates rigorous academic theory with decades of practical experience—ensuring that her clients benefit from both conceptual depth and actionable strategies.

Becky previously served as a Mediator and Senior Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she was a trusted advisor to senior leadership on ADR strategy, interpersonal communication, team development, and leadership transition. In that role, she delivered comprehensive training programs, provided conflict coaching, mediated disputes nationwide, and guided organizational leaders in strengthening employee engagement and collaboration. She also served as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program Manager for both SRA International (supporting the Department of Homeland Security) and the U.S. Air Force, where she developed and managed programs designed to improve employee relationships, accountability, and workplace culture.

A retired Air Force officer with numerous awards and commendations, Becky brings disciplined leadership and mission focus to her work. She is a sought-after conference presenter, having delivered sessions at national forums including the EEOC’s EXCEL Conference, the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) National Conference, Blacks in Government (BIG) National Training Conference, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Federally Employed Women (FEW), and Federal Asian Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC).

She holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University, along with advanced degrees in Human Resources Development and Liberal Arts. Certified in mediation and conflict coaching, she is known for her dynamic presence, practical wisdom, and unwavering commitment to helping organizations build cultures where conflict is addressed constructively and leadership thrives.

Rick Buccheri, MSOD, is a collaborative strategist, mediator, facilitator, and organizational development consultant with nearly two decades of experience helping leaders and teams navigate complex change, resolve conflict, and strengthen organizational culture. Known for his steady presence and systems-level thinking, Rick partners with passionate stakeholders to improve communication, enhance performance, and align strategy with day-to-day operations.

As a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage, Rick has provided conflict management, culture transformation, and strategic planning services to more than 15 federal agencies. He has worked with leaders at every level, from frontline supervisors to executive teams, designing and facilitating initiatives that address deeply rooted cultural patterns, operational barriers, and organizational redesign.

Rick has mediated complex workplace and EEO disputes for agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and U.S. Secret Service (USSS), often in high-stakes environments involving union representation and formal grievance processes. He played a key role in piloting TSA’s agency-wide mediation program, providing advanced skills training, mentorship, and performance evaluation to mediators who now support more than 1,300 cases annually. His mediation work has contributed to improved relationships, reduced grievance filings, and strengthened workplace trust.

In addition to his mediation practice, Rick designs and facilitates cultural and climate assessments, leadership development programs, executive retreats, and enterprise-wide transformation efforts. His recent work includes leading large-scale organizational redesign initiatives, facilitating executive alignment sessions, and delivering advanced training to thousands of federal employees. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at American University, mentoring graduate students in applied organizational consulting.

Rick holds an M.S. in Organizational Development from American University. He is a certified conflict coach and mediator, and a member of the Advisory Board for the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science. Rick brings both human insight and disciplined methodology to his work, helping organizations resolve conflict, build resilience, and lead change with clarity and purpose.

Nike Carstarphen, Ph.D., is an organizational development consultant with more than three decades of experience advancing peacebuilding, civil society development, and conflict management. A specialist in monitoring and evaluation, conflict analysis, and organizational resilience, Nike partners with government agencies, civil society organizations, and multi-stakeholder groups to design processes that strengthen collaboration, improve performance, and support sustainable change.

She is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage and develops and delivers curriculum on conflict assessment, mediation, peacebuilding, dialogue facilitation, and cross-cultural engagement, helping leaders and practitioners translate theory into practical skills. Her work includes conflict resolution training and training-of-trainers programs, as well as facilitating staff retreats, work groups, task forces, and action-planning initiatives focused on visioning, organizational alignment, and problem solving. Nike has also designed and facilitated engagements ranging from small executive teams to multi-stakeholder convenings of more than 300 participants. She is particularly skilled at structuring dialogues and cooperative problem-solving processes that address complex interpersonal, group, and cross-cultural dynamics.

For more than a decade, Nike has worked extensively with U.S. federal and quasi-federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior (USDOI), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD), U.S. Department of State (USDOS), and the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). In these environments, she has facilitated formal and informal mediations, led multi-stakeholder dialogues, and supported the design and evaluation of conflict management systems that strengthen organizational capacity and mission effectiveness.

In addition, Nike has conducted research, developed evaluation frameworks, and designed metrics to assess the impact of conflict resolution and organizational development initiatives. She holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, along with advanced degrees in International Affairs and Business Administration. She is known for her analytical rigor, inclusive facilitation style, and ability to guide diverse stakeholders toward shared understanding and constructive action.

David Clark, Esq., is an accomplished mediator, arbitrator, administrative judge, and facilitator with more than 25 years of experience helping public and private sector organizations navigate complex workplace challenges. With a career grounded in both law and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), David brings analytical rigor, balanced judgment, and practical insight to every engagement—supporting leaders and teams in preventing conflict, resolving disputes, and strengthening organizational performance.

David is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage. He began his career as an attorney-adviser at the Federal Labor Relations Authority, where he oversaw appeals involving federal sector labor-management relations and managed the agency’s ADR office. This foundation shaped his deep understanding of workplace systems, collective bargaining, and the legal frameworks that govern employment relationships. Since 2002, he has served as an Arbitrator and Administrative Judge, presiding over matters involving collective bargaining disputes, discrimination claims, and other employment-related issues with efficiency and fairness.

In addition to his adjudicative work, David has mediated and facilitated hundreds of workplace conflicts and strategic organizational discussions for federal agencies, local governments, and private organizations. His experience includes assisting with contract negotiations, board deliberations, and leadership-level problem-solving initiatives. As a trusted neutral for the American Arbitration Association and the U.S. Congress Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, he is frequently called upon to manage high-stakes matters requiring discretion, clarity, and sound decision-making.

David also advises organizations on the design and effectiveness of conflict management systems and related programs, helping leaders build internal capacity for constructive dialogue and early dispute resolution. From 2008-2021, he served as an Adjunct Professor of ADR at American University’s Washington College of Law, where he shared his practical experience with the next generation of dispute resolution professionals. He holds a J.D. and M.A. from American University and is a certified mediator with the Supreme Court of Virginia. Known for his measured presence and strategic approach, David helps organizations resolve conflict with integrity while enhancing communication, accountability, and long-term effectiveness.

Toby Guerin, JD, is a highly respected dispute resolution practitioner, trainer, and facilitator with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate complex conflict with clarity and professionalism. Drawing on her extensive background in mediation, conflict management, and academia, Toby designs and delivers practical, skill-based training that equips professionals to manage workplace challenges with confidence and integrity.

Through her role as Executive Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Toby integrates academic rigor with real-world application. She oversees program development, supervises law students in small claims and workplace mediations, and launched the university’s first workplace mediation program, building sustainable systems that promote a positive workplace climate. Her teaching and supervision emphasize self-reflection, ethical practice, and intentional application of communication skills.

Toby is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage, and she has maintained a continuous mediation practice since 1999. She has served as a contract neutral for the National Archives and Records Administration, providing mediation, facilitation, and consultation on workplace and communication issues. She also serves as a roster mediator for the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the District Court of Maryland ADR Office and volunteers as a community mediator, where she provides mediation, facilitation, conflict management, and coaching.

A sought-after national trainer and speaker, Toby has trained hundreds of professionals, from federal agencies and courts to private sector organizations and institutes of higher education, in strategic negotiation, workplace conflict management, conflict styles, advanced mediation skills and ethics, agreement writing, de-escalation, restorative practices, and elicitive feedback.

Toby’s contributions to the field have been widely recognized, including receiving the Robert M. Bell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Maryland. Grounded in her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, she brings intellectual rigor, practical wisdom, and steady professionalism to every engagement, helping organizations and individuals build internal capacity to navigate conflict and promote communication.

Cheryl Jamison, JD, is a respected conflict resolution leader, mediator, and educator with more than 17 years of experience advancing excellence in mediation practice and professional standards. Blending deep practical experience with thoughtful scholarship, Cheryl is known for her reflective approach, strong facilitation skills, and commitment to fostering inclusive, constructive dialogue in complex environments.

Cheryl is a senior ADR Vantage practitioner, and she previously served as President and Executive Director of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), providing national leadership to the field and advancing professional standards for mediators and conflict resolution practitioners. Prior to that, she led the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence (MPME) within the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office, where she established statewide training, mentoring, assessment, and certification programs that standardized mediation practice across court-connected and community programs.

Throughout her career, Cheryl has mediated a variety of disputes, and in addition to mediation, she conducts facilitated dialogues and conflict coaching engagements, helping individuals and organizations navigate sensitive issues with clarity and mutual respect. Trained as both a conflict coach and ombudsman, Cheryl brings a systems perspective and a strong ethical foundation to her work.

An accomplished trainer and educator, Cheryl designs and delivers programs on mediation skills, listening skills, mediator ethics, team building, interest-based negotiation, and facilitating race-based conversations. She serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, the University of Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Community College.

Cheryl holds a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has completed advanced training in transformative mediation, conflict coaching, ombuds practice, and diversity and inclusion. A sought-after speaker, she has delivered keynote addresses and appeared on professional podcasts addressing contemporary conflict challenges. Cheryl is widely recognized for her ability to integrate mediation expertise with inclusion principles, helping organizations build cultures of accountability, equity, and meaningful dialogue.

Gururaj Kumar, MA, is an accomplished mediator, facilitator, and educator with more than two decades of experience resolving workplace and cross-cultural conflicts in high-stakes environments. He is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage, and he has mediated more than 200 cases domestically and internationally, serving a wide range of federal clients including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Social Security Administration, Federal Reserve Board, USAID, and FEMA. Known for his cultural fluency and steady presence, Gururaj helps leaders and teams navigate sensitive disputes with professionalism, respect, and strategic focus.

A sought-after lecturer and executive educator, Gururaj has trained thousands of senior managers, executives, diplomats, and ambassadors in negotiation, conflict management, and cross-cultural engagement. He has delivered programs for the Office of Personnel Management’s Center for Leadership Development and the Federal Executive Institute. Gururaj has been adjunct faculty at Champlain College’s M.S. in Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies Program, at American University’s School of International Service, and at Northwestern University, where he taught graduate-level courses in mediation, conflict resolution, negotiation, and cross-cultural dynamics. His training style combines practical skill-building with global awareness, equipping participants to manage both interpersonal and systemic challenges.

Gururaj is a trusted practitioner across multiple federal agencies, where he provides a full spectrum of conflict management services, including mediation, group facilitation, dialogue design, and conflict coaching. His work frequently involves complex EEO matters, cross-cultural misunderstandings, and organizational communication breakdowns, where his ability to balance accountability with understanding is especially valued.

He holds a master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and a Graduate Certificate in Managing Organizational Change from American University. A certified mediator in Washington, DC, and Chicago, and a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), he brings federal workforce perspective, academic rigor, and deep practical experience to his work, helping organizations build durable skills for managing conflict across cultures, hierarchies, and missions.

Dawn Martin, JD, is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage and a seasoned mediator, trainer, coach, and dispute resolution systems designer with more than four decades of experience advancing constructive conflict engagement in complex organizations. Dawn has built a distinguished career helping public, private, and international institutions resolve high-stakes disputes, design sustainable conflict management systems, and strengthen leadership effectiveness.

Dawn served for many years as a mediator, mediator trainer, and supervisor with the District of Columbia’s Mediation Service, where she also mentored interns in pioneering university-based dispute resolution programs. Over the course of her career, she has supported the development of hundreds of mediators through hands-on training, coaching, and supervision, helping practitioners build technical skill and professional judgment both in the United States and for justice systems and multilateral organizations around the globe.

She facilitates system design processes that engage public sector agencies, corporations, NGOs, and academic institutions in building tailored approaches to managing conflict. Her client portfolio includes the United States Agency for International Development, Federal Reserve Board, Department of the Interior, Transportation Security Administration, American Bar Association, CARE, Chemonics, International Food Policy Research Institute, Abt Associates, DAI Global, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Building on her early experience as an attorney, Dawn brings both legal acumen and systems thinking to her work. In recent years, she has expanded her focus to leadership and team coaching, organizational resilience, and strengthening relationships within executive teams, between supervisors and staff, and among peers. Her approach integrates mediation expertise with advanced coaching methodologies, supporting leaders in addressing not only interpersonal disputes but also the systemic dynamics that drive them.

Dawn holds a J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. She is a professionally certified coach and holds numerous certifications in leadership and organizational development tools. Dawn is recognized for her depth of experience, thoughtful presence, and ability to translate complex conflict dynamics into practical, sustainable solutions.

Brian Schwartz, MA, is a respected leader in facilitative mediation and community development mediation, with over two decades of experience helping individuals, teams, and organizations make sound decisions in complex environments. An expert in collective decision-making and consensus-building, Brian equips professionals with the communication and relational skills necessary to navigate difficult conversations, bridge differences, and build durable agreements.

Brian is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage, and he has mediated cases across a wide range of settings, including small-claims courts, workplaces, community forums, and federal agencies. He has served as a mediator through the Federal Government’s Shared Neutrals Program and has conducted numerous virtual federal mediations, supporting parties in resolving high-stakes workplace disputes.

Brian focuses on helping people understand one another, and themselves, more deeply. As a community development mediator with Justice and Sustainability Associates, he designed and facilitated consensus-building processes for clients in nonprofit organizations, higher education, government, and the private sector. His work often involves guiding diverse stakeholders toward shared solutions in environments marked by competing priorities and limited resources.

Brian is certified through the Harvard Mediation Program, where he has also trained new mediators, including Harvard Law students. He integrates mediation expertise with executive and leadership coaching, holding credentials as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation and as a Certified Integral Coach. He is also certified in emotional intelligence assessments, strengthening his ability to support leaders in building self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness.

Brian holds a master’s degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. An active member of multiple professional associations, he is recognized for his thoughtful facilitation style, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to guide groups toward clarity, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Danette Ross Watson, MA, is a highly experienced mediator, facilitator, consultant, and trainer with over 30 years of practice across federal, community, and public policy settings. She is a senior practitioner with ADR Vantage and has mediated more than a thousand cases spanning workplace and labor disputes, EEO matters, family and domestic conflicts, divorce, public policy, civil and personal injury cases, and mental health care conflict management. Known for her steady presence and disciplined approach, Danette helps organizations and individuals resolve complex disputes while strengthening long-term conflict competency.

Danette’s federal experience is extensive. She has served as a mediator for the United States Postal Service REDRESS Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives and Records Administration, Department of the Air Force, and the Social Security Administration, and has facilitated departmental conflict resolution processes. Her work reflects deep familiarity with the dynamics of federal workplace systems and high-stakes employment disputes.

In addition to mediation, Danette has served in roles requiring advanced communication and negotiation skills, including as a member of a Hostage Negotiation Team. She has also supported conflict resolution initiatives in mental health systems and correctional settings, and she is a certified family mediator for the West Virginia Supreme Court, demonstrating versatility across diverse and challenging environments.

A committed leader in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Danette has held board and leadership roles with the Texas Association of Mediators; is an active presenter and member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) and the National Association for Community Mediation; is a certified mediator/assessor, Membership Chair, and Cochair of the Certification Committee for the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution; and is the current Executive Director and Founder of the West Texas Community Mediation Center. She has received several awards for innovation and leadership in the field.

Danette holds a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and has completed extensive advanced training in transformative mediation, public policy facilitation, motivational interviewing, peacemaking circles, and arbitration. Her work is distinguished by professionalism, cultural awareness, and a deep commitment to equitable and durable resolutions, helping organizations and communities move forward with clarity, accountability, and strengthened relationships.

Seitu I. Stephens, J.D., is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in federal grants management, compliance, and program oversight. With more than two decades of experience working with federal, state, territorial, and nonprofit organizations, he specializes in helping agencies and grant recipients design, manage, and monitor federally funded programs in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Mr. Stephens has trained hundreds of grant professionals across government agencies, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education. His instruction focuses on practical strategies for managing federal awards, structuring and monitoring subawards, ensuring financial accountability, preparing for audits, and strengthening internal controls to protect federal funds and program outcomes.

He has developed and delivered numerous professional development courses on topics including grant program design, risk assessment, subrecipient monitoring, procurement under federal awards, and audit preparation. His courses combine regulatory expertise with real-world case studies that help participants translate complex federal requirements into effective operational practices.

In addition to his training work, Mr. Stephens advises organizations on strengthening grant management systems, improving compliance frameworks, and building sustainable partnerships between government agencies and community-based organizations.

Mr. Stephens holds a Juris Doctor degree and is widely respected for his engaging instructional style and his ability to make complex federal grant regulations clear, practical, and actionable for practitioners.