As a Senior Partner, Dave Moora brings two decades of experience mediating high-stakes disputes, facilitating labor negotiations, and guiding organizations through complex transitions. He challenges clients to view their situations through a new lens, approaching differences as a growth opportunity that unlocks creativity, fosters better decisions, and drives progress. Dave previously served as a Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, ADR Counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Director of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. IOA trained as an Organizational Ombuds and a graduate of the FMCS Conflict Management Professional Certification Program, Dave also holds certifications as a PROSCI Change Management Practitioner and Crucial Learning trainer. He integrates mediation expertise, leadership development, and behavioral insight to help clients align intent, behavior, and impact and build workplaces where people and organizations thrive. View full bio.

Emily Rife is a senior partner with Impact Associates and has extensive experience in conflict resolution across the public, private, and federal sectors. Prior to co-founding Impact Associates, she served as a Commissioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Denver, where she mediated collective bargaining negotiations, grievances, and employment-related disputes using various problem-solving models. Her background also includes international work in Kosovo, where she helped professionalize local mediators and strengthen the ADR field. Earlier in her career, she represented classified school employees in Los Angeles as a Labor Relations specialist, negotiating contracts and managing grievances, while also providing mediation services through the County of Los Angeles. With a strong foundation in ADR and a compassionate, strategic approach, Ms. Rife continues to offer tailored mediation services to support sustainable and effective conflict resolution. View full bio.

Pete Swanson is a senior partner with Impact Associates. Mr. Swanson has extensive domestic and international experience helping a diverse range of national and international clients. He has worked in over 50 federal/state/local and international agencies and organizations in four continents and 25 countries. He specializes in merging the disciplines of conflict resolution, leadership development, coaching, organizational development and training/education to provide systemic and holistic approaches to client challenges. Prior to co-founding Impact Associates Mr Swanson served as the Manager for the Office of Conflict Management and Prevention/International at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). He first served as a Mediator for FMCS from 1989-2000. Prior to re-joining FMCS in late 2018, he was a senior partner with Carr Swanson & Randolph, LLC for eighteen years. View full bio.

Gemma Deleon-Lopresti‍ is a nationally recognized mediator and facilitator with deep expertise in resolving complex disputes and strengthening workplace relationships. She has mediated hundreds of high-stakes collective bargaining disputes across industries, including arts and entertainment, manufacturing, transportation, and energy, helping labor and management move past impasse toward lasting, interest-based solutions. Previously, Gemma served as Commissioner/Mediator and Northeast Field Operations Manager at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, leading initiatives to strengthen labor-management relationships nationwide. Her experience includes facilitating joint labor-management committees, steward-supervisor development, interest-based bargaining, and customized training that builds trust and collaboration. Gemma began her career in a labor union, giving her firsthand insight into workplace dynamics and credibility with both labor and management. A certified Prosci change management practitioner, she helps leaders navigate organizational transitions and strengthen collaboration. View full bio.

Isabela Ferraz brings over a decade of experience in conflict management, focusing on early intervention and building rapport to foster lasting, meaningful change. As a senior mediator, she played a pivotal role in rebuilding and expanding the U.S. Department of Energy’s ADR Office, providing conflict resolution services to more than 100,000 federal employees and contractors. She helped design and launch an innovative, hands-on training program that emphasized practical skills, contributing to a reduction in formal complaints for eight consecutive years. Isabela specializes in workplace and employment disputes, applying a compassionate, proactive approach in both public and private sectors. She has coached neutrals and students, supported restorative justice initiatives, and judged international ADR competitions. In her current work, she integrates neuroscience-based communication strategies and systems thinking to help leaders and teams build trust, strengthen collaboration, and navigate complex organizational challenges with resilience, integrity, and lasting impact.

Simona Frumen brings more than two decades of experience helping leaders and teams strengthen collaboration, rebuild trust, and navigate complex conversations with clarity. Her work focuses on leadership coaching, facilitation, and team development, grounded in deep expertise in mediation and conflict resolution. A lawyer by training and an accredited mediator, certified coach, team coach, and facilitator, Simona has mediated commercial, workplace, civil, healthcare, and family cases at Slovenian District Courts, Courts of Appeal, and in private practice. As a trainer, she designs and delivers mediation and communication programs, leads international train-the-trainer courses, and facilitates peer reflection groups for mediators. Grounded yet forward-looking, Simona is known for her calm presence, empathy, and structured approach that helps organizations move from tension to clarity and from friction to flow. Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, she works internationally to help people lead with integrity, communicate with awareness, and create conditions where collaboration can thrive.

Jamel Harling‍ is a retired federal senior executive with over 25 years of experience in organizational strategy, leadership, and change management. As an Executive Coach, Ombuds, and Advisor with Impact Associates, she helps leaders and teams navigate conflict, strengthen trust, and drive sustainable performance and measurable results. An IOA trained Organizational Ombuds and former Agency Ombuds for the Director of National Intelligence, she led the Intelligence Community Ombuds Forum and the Alliance for Intelligence Community Resilience, reaching more than 100,000 personnel across 19 agencies. Certified by the International Coaching Federation, Ms. Harling combines expertise in conflict resolution and strategic decision-making with a commitment to building ethical, high-trust, and resilient workplaces. She holds an active Top-Secret security clearance. View full bio.

Kayla Mack is an ADR professional dedicated to delivering exceptional mediation, facilitation, and consulting services, across sectors and industries. With over fifteen years of experience in advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, and execution strategy, complemented by a strong foundation in organizational development, change management, and conflict systems design, Kayla helps individuals and institutions navigate complex conflicts, implement durable solutions, and build capacity for long-term collaboration in even the most dynamic and demanding environments.  Kayla empowers clients to structure their ideas, communicate with intention, foster transparency, make informed decisions, and develop agreements and outcomes that are both transformational and sustainable. Her presence earns trust, her methodology delivers value, and her track record speaks for itself. View full CV.

Denise Patterson McKenney is a recently retired Commissioner and Senior Mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Office of Conflict Management and Prevention. She also served 11 years as Director of Equal Employment Opportunity. Denise’s expertise includes mediating collective bargaining agreements, workplace disputes, training design and delivery, conflict coaching, and systems design. She authored “Labor-Management Partnership: A 12 Step Program for Change” in the ABA’s Desk Book for ADR Practitioners. With 34 years of experience, she has presented workshops nationally and internationally. Denise earned a B.S. in Speech Communication from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in Instructional Systems Technology from UDC. She serves on the Federal Dispute Resolution Conference Board, OPM’s Presidential Rank Awards Committee, and Mediators Beyond Borders.

Cynthia Pyle Manley is a seasoned conflict resolution practitioner, certified coach, and wellness strategist with over 15 years of experience guiding individuals and organizations through transition, dialogue, and systems change. A former practitioner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), she has led national initiatives rooted in restorative practices, emotional intelligence, and behavioral transformation. Her work spans collaborations with the Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and Office of Personnel Management, and she now leads Thrive Frameworks—integrating trauma-informed coaching, leadership development, and human-centered design. Cynthia holds an M.P.P. in Social Policy, is an ICF-certified PCC coach, and brings over 200 hours of mediation training and trauma-informed facilitation to her work. View full bio.

Gary Shaw brings over 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare systems and hospitals across the U.S., along with two decades of service in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Service Corps. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, guiding the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing Whole Person Care principles. Previously, Gary led Cambridge Medical Center, advancing quality initiatives, and served as Administrator of Alaska Native Medical Center, improving service delivery in partnership with Southcentral Foundation. A U.S. Navy veteran who served during four wars, Gary holds degrees in Healthcare/Business Administration and Operations Management and is a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He resides near Nashville, Tennessee. View full bio.

Chris Thompson is a lawyer, team leader, strategist, and facilitator of legal system development. Admitted to practice in Virginia and Washington, D.C., he has more than 30 years of experience advising private clients and governments on commercial law and economic growth initiatives. His work spans international client support, enterprise and bank privatization, public-private partnerships, commercial and bankruptcy legislation, banking regulation, and reforms in commercial justice and alternative dispute resolution. He contributes regularly to institutional governance through board service, including with RIT Kosovo (formerly the American University in Kosovo), the American Chambers of Commerce in Bulgaria and Kosovo, and the Fulbright Commission in Bulgaria.

Barbara Viney brings over 35 years of federal experience helping organizations and individuals restore productivity by identifying root causes of conflict. She incorporates multiple methodologies to resolve conflict, including conflict coaching, mediation, facilitation, climate assessments, and training. Barbara recognizes that conflict can significantly impact productivity—sometimes decreasing it by as much as 80–100%—and has a strong track record of restoring efficiency through targeted engagement practices. Barbara’s versatility and ability to tailor her approach to meet the needs of diverse client populations consistently delivers measurable improvements in areas such as communication, collaboration, and workplace civility. She deploys tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strength Deployment Inventory, Thomas-Kilman Instrument, and World Café workshops. She works with both small groups and large organizations, including federal executives, church leadership teams, and private clients.

Michael Wolf helps organizations prevent and constructively manage conflict, resolve high-stakes disputes, and grow conflict-competent culture that improves organizational problem-solving, decision-making, performance, and quality of work life. Michael has spent 30+ years as a full-time mediator, trainer, educator, facilitator, consultant, and conflict coach. He spent the previous decade practicing labor and employment law after a brief time as a Congressional staffer. Michael has held leadership roles in several federal agencies, professional associations, and the Steering Committee of the Federal Interagency ADR Working Group. Michael’s work as a neutral encompasses many sectors, including defense/military, healthcare, construction/building trades, federal/state/local government, education, public safety (police and fire), transportation, environmental, manufacturing, hospitality, commercial, food safety, family/divorce, and utilities/energy.  View full CV.