We are experienced mediators and facilitators who can work as a team to support you or your group in interpersonal conflicts, or help you learn new skills. We believe that conflict can be an opportunity for growth, and if well-managed, can lead to improved relationships.
Frances Henderson
Executive Director
Frances is a graduate of UNC Law School and a summa cum laude graduate of Guilford College, and has been an elected member of the Academy of Superior Court Mediators. She has over thirty years of experience as a mediator and serves as a Special Education Mediator for NC Department of Public Instruction and as an adjunct professor at UNC School of Government, teaching nonprofit management.
fhenderson@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800, ext 11
Will Dudenhausen
Training Director
Will has a BA from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Since 2005 he has trained thousands of people throughout North Carolina in mediation, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and meeting facilitation. As Training Director, he designs curriculum for use with clients in government, business, universities and community organizations. Will believes conflict resolution skills help groups work together more efficiently, leading to better outcomes and happier people. Will also works closely with DSC’s Group Facilitation Program.
will@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800, ext 22
Maggie Ellis Chotas
Group Facilitation Director
Maggie loves working with leaders, teams, and organizations to maximize collaboration and communication so they can do their best work. A master facilitator with a background in education administration, Maggie joined DSC in 2019 after years of experience helping organizations succeed, most recently as principal at The Mulberry Partners, LLC. She holds a degree in English from Swarthmore, a Masters of Liberal Studies from St. Johns College, and a Masters of School Administration from UNC-CH. Maggie holds Emotional Intelligence/360 certifications and is a TEAMSTEPPS advanced trainer. She is co-author of the awarding-winning book Power Through Partnership: How Women Lead Better Together.
mchotas@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800, ext. 23
Valoree Hanson
Restorative Practices Director
Val integrates her passion for conflict transformation by helping educators, organizations, and community members learn about and utilize Restorative Practices. With a J.D. from NCCU School of Law, Val has trained and facilitated across North Carolina, including restorative justice processes for District Superior Court, Juvenile Justice, schools, community organizations, law enforcement, and self-referred clients. She teaches the inaugural Restorative Justice class for UNC’s Department of Public Policy.
vhanson@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800, ext. 17
Joy Clark
Restorative Practices Associate
After 19 years as a math teacher and receiving a J.D. cum laude from NCCU School of Law, Joy joins the DSC with a vision to implement restorative practices in classrooms and courthouses throughout the state. Joy has been a volunteer with RJ Durham, is a former teacher of the year, and is a trained circle keeper. As a National Board certified educator and a lawyer, she seeks to apply this background to narrow the school to prison pipeline and advance needed changes in schools and the criminal legal system.
jclark@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800 ext. 13
Laura Swartz
Mediation and Facilitation Associate
Laura is a graduate of Duke University and NCCU School of Law, where she was Notes and Comments Editor of the Law Review, and later taught Mediation as an Adjunct Professor. She has mediated for juvenile, employment, and community cases in Oregon, and facilitated Restorative Justice Group Dialogues. At DSC, she assists with complex facilitation projects and mediation, and is the first point of contact for those seeking DSC services.
lswartz@nulldisputesettlement.org
(919) 929-8800 ext. 24
Let us know about your conflict and how we might help. Call Laura Swartz at (919) 929-8800 ext 24 or lswartz@nulldisputesettlement.org.
