October 26 - November 1, 2024
13th Annual ATIXA Conference

Erin Agidius brings over 10 years of comprehensive experience in Title IX, Civil Rights, and Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity compliance and investigations in higher education.

Prior to joining TNG, Agidius led the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations at the University of Idaho where she coordinated and monitored institutional federal compliance under Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/504. She managed a strong team, conducted comprehensive civil rights investigations, and customized programming on related topics for audiences with varying skills, knowledge, and expertise. She’s also guided multiple committees and task forces on topics of threat assessment and management, security and compliance, DEI initiatives, and more.

Prior to her role as director, she built connections as the Interim Director and Deputy Director of the Human Rights Access and Inclusion office. Through those relationships she successfully campaigned for the university to invest in professional investigators and reorganize existing offices to create a more sustainable and effective culture of compliance. Her experience as a student conduct administrator forged her foundational understanding of relational connection and throughout her tenure in higher education, she’s raised awareness of resources by relying on those strong relationships to enhance university policies, practices, and programs.

Agidius is dedicated to advancing community-wide programs to prevent, reduce, and remediate all forms of discrimination. When not working tireless for equity at work, she does so in her spare time as a member of the Moscow Human Rights Commission, the Latah County Coordinated Community Response Task Force, and the Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse board of directors. She is a certified Greet Dot and Stop the Hate trainer and holds a certification in civil mediation from the Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution. Compliance and equity are core to her ethos.

Agidius holds a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Idaho with minors in Sociology, Business, and Spanish.

Dr. Kiara F. Allison is a well-rounded higher education professional who began her higher education career in 2011. Currently, Dr. Allison is the Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer at Widener University. In this role, she serves as the lead equity officer for the Chester campus and two law school campuses Located in Harrisburg, PA and Wilmington, DE. Dr. Allison blends her experiences as a student affairs educator and DEIB professional, with her academic background as a critical philosopher of education to create unique insights and strategies into promoting cultures of inclusive excellence and belonging. Dr. Allison has been working in the Title IX space since 2016, first serving as an adjudicator within an Office of Student Conduct, and then serving as a Case Manager and Deputy Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator at two Pennsylvania institutions. Dr. Allison’s experience at multiple institutions, both private and public, in several roles, with varying organizational models and resourcing allows her to offer perspective to other Title IX Coordinators looking to move the needle at their respective institutions.  

Paul Apicella currently serves as the Principal and Director of Higher Edquity Solutions, LLC and is the Director of Institutional Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at Montclair State University. Mr. Apicella has devoted over a decade to his career as a Title IX Administrator, Investigator, Adjudicator, Advisor, and consultant.  Mr. Apicella has experience in building and re-organizing Title IX functions and offices at private and public institutions both as an employed administrator and as an external evaluator, and has navigated the myriad philosophical, practical, and strategic concerns involved in building a Title IX team on an organizational and unit level.  Mr. Apicella’s varied experiences provide him with a unique insight into what Title IX Administrators might – or might not – do to build a robust and effective staffing plan for their office in spite of the institutional challenges they may face along the way.

Kayleigh Baker is a Consultant with TNG and has extensive experience overseeing Title IX compliance and Civil Rights investigations. Baker has served in interim management roles for both higher education and K-12 institutions and frequently works with clients in need of short-term or long-term crisis management services.

Baker routinely delivers training to Title IX practitioners in the field while also managing her own caseload as an external Investigator and Decision-Maker for TNG clients. Prior to her work in higher education, Baker was an Assistant District Attorney and regularly instructed law enforcement officers on civil rights issues. Baker has continued to collaborate with law enforcement and District Attorneys on the intersection between their obligations and Title IX regulations.

Prior to working with TNG, Baker served as a Title IX Investigator at The University of Alabama and as the University of North Alabama’s first full-time Title IX Coordinator. While there, Baker served on the university’s CARE Team and Clery Committee while also being heavily involved in the institution’s transition to NCAA Division I athletics. In that role, Baker was responsible for primary prevention programming and has facilitated training opportunities for thousands of students and employees on Bystander Intervention, reporting obligations, consent, and more.

Baker holds a B.S. in Political Science and Business Economics from Ball State University in Muncie, IN, and a J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law.

Amelia Barbadoro brings over 15 years of experience working in the field of civil rights, with extensive knowledge related to Title VII and Title IX investigations, ADA compliance, and alternative dispute resolution in K-12 and postsecondary schools. Her passion for equal rights was sparked by a law school internship at the New York City Commission for Human Rights, followed by a second legal internship at the New York State Division of Human Rights, in their Office of Sexual Harassment Issues. Those experiences laid the foundation of her career.

Prior to joining TNG, Barbadoro served as the Director of Equity and Compliance at SUNY University at Albany, as well as the Title IX Coordinator, Clery Officer, and Domestic Violence Agency Liaison. She has also served as Assistant Legal Counsel at Cambridge College, Assistant Commissioner of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Development, and ADA Coordinator at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Before moving to Albany, NY, Barbadoro held several positions within the New York City Department of Education, including Investigator and Training Unit Chief in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management, Assistant Director of the Office of Special Investigations, and Chief of Staff to General Counsel.

Barbadoro has taught graduate and undergraduate-level courses at SUNY University at Albany, Northeastern University, Salve Regina University, and Brooklyn College. Courses have included Higher Education Law; Urban Education; Culture, Equity, Power & Influence; Education Law, Policy & Finance; and labor relations. She has also presented to thousands of students, faculty, and staff on topics related to Title IX and Title VII compliance.

Amelia was raised in Western Massachusetts, spent over a decade living in Brooklyn, NY, and is now settled in Albany, NY, with her husband and two children.

Justin Bell is the Director of Nondiscrimination Initiatives and the Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator at Wellesley College and Olin College. Justin has worked at several institutions of higher education as a compliance officer including Northeastern University, and received his law degree from Wake Forest University.

Dr. Frazier Benya directs the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education. From 2016 to 2018, she served as the study director for the National Academies consensus study report Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dr. Benya holds a B.A with honors in Science, Technology and Society from the University of Puget Sound, and a M.A. in Bioethics and Ph.D. in History of Science, Technology, and Medicine from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Benya was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences in 2017.

Linda Boyd serves as Assistant Vice Provost and Title IX Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University. Boyd has practiced law at a national employment law firm investigating claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Boyd has also served as an attorney for the Social Security Administration, and received her law degree and master’s degree in psychology from Duke University.

Abigail Boyer has been with Clery Center since 2012, becoming Associate Executive Director in 2015. She leads the Clery Center team in providing educational resources, training curriculum, and technical assistance tools to help improve campus safety nationwide and manages the organization’s Office on Violence Against Women technical assistance grants designed to support institutions in enhancing their dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking prevention and response efforts. She also presents nationally on topics related to the Clery Act and campus safety. Prior to joining Clery Center, Abigail served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. where she was instrumental in the development and implementation of programs targeted towards law enforcement, colleges and universities, and other students, parents, and community members. Abigail earned a B.A. in Political Science at West Chester University and an M.S. in Organization Development and Leadership with a concentration in Adult Learning and Training at Saint Joseph’s University. She has been a contributor to Campus Safety Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, and Huffington Post.

Tim Cason is a passionate professional who has worked in higher education at multiple institutions nationwide, serving high school, college, and adult education populations. He is well-versed in engaging key stakeholders, including executives, faculty, staff, and students, regarding student conduct, behavioral intervention and case management work, Title IX, and other civil rights laws. Cason is committed to proactively cultivating an environment of trust and productivity through actively listening, collaboration, and thinking practically.

Cason is an exceptional presenter who utilizes effective active learning and teaching strategies to deeply and consistently impact his audience. He is experienced in synthesizing information, applying research from promising practices, and pulling from practical experience to meet the situation’s unique needs.

Most recently, Cason served as the Director of Student Conduct & Prevention Education and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the Trinity River Campus (7,000+ students) of Tarrant County College, a community college located in Fort Worth, Texas. In this role, he oversaw the student conduct process, served as the co-chair and case manager for the CARE Team, facilitated a student emergency assistance fund, and served as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Additionally, Cason fulfilled these roles for the Connect (e-learning) Campus (12,000+ students).

He also previously served in the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards at Wichita State University, where he investigated and resolved alleged policy and Title IX violations and provided case management support to the behavioral intervention team. Additionally, Cason previously served in the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity at the University of South Carolina.

He holds a B.S. in communication studies from Texas Christian University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina.

Angela M. Catena, PhD (she/her), is a dynamic leader with over 13 years of experience in higher education, specializing in Title IX compliance, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and civil rights. As the Title IX Coordinator at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Angela leads campus-wide efforts to ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional policies, overseeing investigations and resolutions of sex-based harassment and discrimination cases. She spearheaded the development of a Deputy Title IX Coordinator network, enhancing collaboration and efficiency across the university system. Angela played a pivotal role in successfully concluding UNM’s agreement with the Department of Justice in 2019, ensuring full compliance with Title IX standards.

Angela’s extensive background in policy development includes crafting and implementing innovative strategies that have measurably improved campus safety and inclusivity. She has led educational programming and training sessions on Title IX, VAWA, and equal opportunity for university leadership, faculty, staff, and students. Her expertise in trauma-informed care, advocacy, and conflict resolution has made her a trusted advisor on creating safe, equitable environments.

Prior to her current role, Angela served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, where she designed graduate-level courses and mentored students through clinical placements and research projects. She has also worked as a Training and Development Specialist at the UNM LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center, where she implemented programs on consent, bystander intervention, and trauma-informed care. Angela’s dedication to fostering inclusive environments and her strategic vision has made a lasting impact on every institution she has served.

Nicole Dillon is the Director of Youth Initiatives for A Call to Men- a worldwide leader in training and educating men and boys to embrace and promote a healthy, respectful manhood.

For over 10 years, Nicole’s roles in career services, partnerships and higher education have centered around serving as a bridge, connecting young people to resources needed for success. At New Visions for Public Schools, Nicole served on the Community Engagement team, ensuring that NYC high schools had the resources needed to create experiential learning opportunities for students. In every position she’s had– from creating and leading professional development programs for CUNY college students, to supporting first generation students in securing employment at ProjectBasta–using strategy and data driven implementation, Nicole prides herself in being a champion for the youth she serves.

Nicole is a movement and wellness enthusiast, residing in Brooklyn, New York with roots in the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

As the founder of EndTAB (End Technology-Enabled Abuse) and The Tech-Savvy Parent, Adam’s work is characterized by his dedication to addressing the existing and future threats posed by technology to youth and victims of gender-based violence. He has written and presented extensively on cyberstalking, technology-enabled abuse, non-consensual pornography and co-authored the first victim safety guide on the emerging threat of ‘deepfake’ pornography. At EndTAB, Adam spends a great deal of his time delivering innovative technology-enabled abuse trainings and presentations to organizations, nonprofits and governments around the world. A frequent speaker and lecturer at universities and national conferences, Adam has advised the White House Task Force to Address Online Abuse and Harassment, is a special advisor to the Coalition Against Stalkerware and sits on the World Economic Forum's Digital Justice Advisory Committee. He has worked with technology companies like Bumble, Headspace and Ring to improve the safety and wellbeing of victims of gender-based violence. Adam has appeared on CBS, ABC, NPR and his work and expertise has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, MIT Technology Review, the Washington Post, SELF Magazine, HuffPost, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, GQ, VICE and others. Adam is a licensed attorney in California, and earned his B.A. from UC Santa Barbara and his J.D. by way of McGeorge School of Law and Hastings College of the Law.

Brittany Edmondson, J.D., Ed.S., M.Ed., serves as the Deputy Title IX and Civil Rights Coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Deputy Edmondson has worked to educate, inspire, empower, and advocate for the better part of her career. Edmondson is a graduate of Nashville School of Law (J.D.), Lincoln Memorial University (Ed.S. and M.Ed.), and Middle Tennessee State University (B.A.). Attacking the dire state of equity and access in education, she ensures that students know their rights, receive social and emotional support, and gain valuable exposure and experiences to position them on a path to success. Edmondson’s expertise and daily work includes policy updates on Title IX and Civil Rights, training on policy regulations and implementation, program review, reporting and compliance, intersection with ADA/504 and IEP, student privacy, student conduct and positive behavior supports, supportive measures and resources, guidance on internal and external stakeholder supports, curriculum development, workshops and action-based professional learning. Edmondson serves as an international education consultant, and serves on panels across the Country developing leaders, educators, students pushing in on the intersection of social emotional support, resource access, prevention and awareness,  and civil rights protections within K-12 and post-secondary.

Edmondson’s ready to serve and collaborative approach stems from her immersive experience in sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and domestic violence policy, equity leadership, education leadership, direct K-12 student engagement and support, post-secondary collaboration, and community connected leadership to bridge businesses with K-12 education. Attacking the dire state of equity and access in education, she ensures that students gain valuable exposure, tear down barriers to access, and provide experiences to catapult students and schools on a path to success. Brittany has been recognized by MNPS, professional organizations, the Middle Tennessee Community, and the State of Tennessee for her contributions to the advancement of urban and marginalized students and as a leader in Education.

Edmondson hopes that internal and external stakeholders for our Schools and Communities will gain a perspective through the lens of an educated woman of color, a mom with black/brown children, and an advocate for young people. Our Country is at a crossroads for systems change to truly realize an impact on equity.

As chair of the firm’s Title IX Group, Ashling empowers universities and students to navigate Title IX successfully. She combines her legal experience with strong writing and interpersonal skills to work with institutions of all shapes and sizes, from small liberal arts colleges to large public universities across the United States. Ashling serves higher educational institutions in these roles:

Investigator: Ashling fairly and promptly responds to sex discrimination complaints, including sex-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, retaliation and inappropriate romantic relationships, by conducting thorough investigations and preparing investigative reports on behalf of institutions of higher education.

Advisor: Ashling serves as an advisor to students throughout the Title IX grievance procedures from pre-complaint, supportive measures, complaint, informal resolution, investigation, interviews, evidence, hearing and appeal.

Hearing Officer: Ashling serves as a hearing officer, carefully evaluating the evidence and listening to the testimony of the parties and witnesses before deciding responsibility. She also serves as a hearing officer for appeals.

Training Provider: Ashling provides training and resources to university employees and Boards of Trustees regarding policies and resources for preventing and responding to sex discrimination reports and complaints. Ashling is an advocate of restorative justice and includes this in her training.

Title IX Policy Reviewer: She reviews and revises university policies to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

In addition, Ashling is an approved investigator by United Educators and is certified by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) as an investigator and a hearing officer. She participated in a two-day training on Restorative Justice Conferencing by the International Institute for Restorative Practices.

Ashling also represents college and university students and faculty in the face of potential disciplinary proceedings brought by their institutions. Her understanding of the university system and its complexities enables her to help minimize potential damage to a client’s academic career. Ashling defends students in disciplinary proceedings for conduct violations, including allegations of alcohol and drug violations, hazing, and assault, as well as academic violations like plagiarism and cheating. She assists law and medical school students accused of professionalism violations. She strategizes with faculty who are accused of misconduct. She helps students obtain favorable outcomes following investigations and appearances before disciplinary committees.

Amy Fabiano is an experienced higher education attorney and a member of Bowditch’s Higher Education Group, which is part of the firm’s Employment & Labor practice. She counsels clients on the complex legal and compliance issues facing colleges, universities, and independent schools, often serving as an institution’s official outside General Counsel.

Amy is a higher education generalist with a breadth of experience in areas such as labor and employment, civil rights and Title IX, student and employee conduct, regulatory compliance, policy development and training, contract drafting and negotiations, faculty matters, sponsored research, study abroad, student affairs, FERPA, and board governance. In addition to serving as an interim or official outside General Counsel, she can serve as an interim Title IX Coordinator.

Amy also counsels nonprofit clients on a wide variety of employment issues, including regulatory and civil rights compliance, policy development and employee handbooks, internal investigations, actions before administrative agencies such as the MCAD, EEOC, and NLRB and employee issues such as hiring, employee conduct and discipline, terminations and layoffs, severance, wage and hour, paid and unpaid leave, retirement, and recordkeeping.

Prior to joining the firm, Amy was the Associate General Counsel at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where she advised WPI administrators, faculty, and staff on a wide variety of legal issues and risk management, as well as negotiated contracts and drafted university policies.  Amy also served as a Civil Rights Attorney within the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where she investigated and resolved more than 130 cases, including over 40 cases under Title IX. Before her public service, Amy practiced at an AmLaw 200 firm and focused her pro bono practice on special education and school discipline laws for K-12 schools.

Dr. Sharon Perry Fantini is a Partner at TNG. She serves on the Advisory Board for ATIXA (The Association for Title IX Administrators). Dr. Perry Fantini is an experienced administrator with more than 20 years of service in higher education, with expertise in the areas of Title IX, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her progressive leadership experience and strategic planning for diversity, equity, and inclusion have aided her in creating campus-wide programs for prevention, awareness, bystander intervention, investigation, and response to discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Additionally, she has worked on initiatives related to Section 504 and ADA compliance and policy development.

Dr. Perry Fantini has experience speaking, training, and consulting with local, regional, and national organizations regarding many diversity and inclusion topics and best practices. She has accepted invited speaking engagements, training, and consulting opportunities in diversity and inclusion, implicit bias, gender-based violence, cultural awareness, and Title IX. She has facilitated education and training aimed at Title IX coordinators, Civil Rights investigators, and educators teaching multicultural students.

In 2023, she presented at the Association of Public Land-grant Universities meeting on connecting and embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and research, and how to establish relationships to build capacity to thrive, not just survive. In 2022, she was selected to serve as a panelist for the Chronicle of Higher Education and University Innovation Alliance (UIA), to discuss socioeconomic burdens that can result in derailed college careers. In 2022, she was an invited speaker at an internal Congressional briefing on Title IX for the Association of Title IX Administrators. She was selected to present at the Ohio Department of Higher Education Statewide Title IX Coordinator Meeting, January 2021, on “Exploratory Look at Balancing the Current Era of Title IX: 34 CFR Part 106.45(b)(5)(vi).” She previously served as a Title IX expert for the College and University Professional Association in Higher Education (CUPA). In this role, higher education professionals can seek advice related to Title IX compliance and the impact on their respective campuses. She was selected by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to serve on the Chancellor’s Special Committee to review RFP proposals as it relates to services around the annual campus climate survey for colleges and universities in the State of Ohio to have the opportunity for campuses to focus in on underrepresented or marginalized communities on their campus. Dr. Perry Fantini served on the public policy committee of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, which is affiliated with the American Council of Education, and in this role submitted a briefing to Congress on the Fisher vs. University of Texas case.

She excelled in collaborating on prevention programming and cultural celebrations efforts with the Office of Athletics, including working with the Student Athletic Association Committee (SAAC), aided in earning an honorable mention during the 2021 Award for Diversity and Inclusion from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) for Creating a Culture of Shared Responsibility with Bringing in the Bystander training; student forums; revising the Peer-to-Peer Ambassador training and programming including Implicit Bias and Understanding Cultural Differences and for Creating a Culture of Shared Respect with Awareness Campaigns including These Hands Don’t Hurt, Spread the Word to End the Word, Black Lives Matter, Safe Zone training, Critical Conversations and Unheard Voices for a Cause Silent March.

Prior to joining TNG, she served as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Iowa State University. As leader of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she worked to foster unity and collaboration, modeled the university’s Principles of Community, and prepared students to thrive in a global community. She also served as the liaison between Iowa State and the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to increasing the number and diversity of college graduates in the United States. She served as a member and the secretary of the Big 12 Conference Chapter of Diversity Officers, Inc. Prior, to joining Iowa State, she held several faculty and administrative positions at Tiffin University. Following a faculty appointment in the School of Business, she served as Tiffin’s inaugural Chief Diversity Officer and subsequently was named Tiffin’s Vice Provost for Equity, Access, and Opportunity and Title IX and 504 Coordinator. In that position, her primary responsibility included overseeing compliance related to Title IX, Title VI, VAWA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Office for Disability Services. She also provided oversight to Deputy Title IX Coordinators, a team of Civil Rights investigators, the Civil Rights Advisory Council, and the Diversity Celebrations and Prevention Education Committee. In collaboration with the Office for Advancement & Public Affairs, aided in earning several grants which aided in the ability to foster a welcoming and safe environment, including a grant for assistive technology to help students with disabilities in the amount of $37,800.00; a grant in the amount of $116,500.00 to provide trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, and support services to student victims of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; and a grant in the amount of $300,000.00 to aid with strategic programming regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Jenna Farrell specializes in investigations of sexual misconduct and discrimination allegations based on sex, gender, and race. She was previously an intern in Kroll’s Business Investigations & Intelligence practice where she worked on a wide array of investigations including due diligence, fraud investigations, and pro bono human rights matters. Prior to Kroll, Jenna interned at the Washington County District Attorney’s Office in New York State focusing on cases of sexual misconduct and domestic violence.

Jenna attended Columbia University and received a B.A. in Political Science with a special concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her undergraduate education, Jenna focused on applying critical race and gender theory. At Columbia, she volunteered for the One Love Foundation, educating communities on campus about emotional and physical abuse and developing methods to identify and avoid abuse. She also volunteered as a mentor with the Community Impact Mentoring Youth in NYC program working with the New York City Department of Education to support high school students who will become first generation college students in their academic and personal lives.

Alma Figueroa has a diverse background working in the non-profit sector and public education in the state of Indiana. Most recently, she began as the Case Manager for a new program supporting pregnant and parenting students with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) called Stronger Tomorrows. As the pioneer for this program and through the Title IX Office of IPS, Alma helped the program by cultivating relationships with community partners while managing a caseload of student referrals. Alma’s previous position with IPS helped bridge the communication to facilitate implementing necessary processes within the schools. In her role as the IPS ENL College and Career Readiness Coordinator she worked with and led efforts for English learners in the district. These efforts resulted in supporting a graduation rate increase in the district for English learners from 82% in 2018 to 94% in 2023. Alma is passionate about public education and helping students secure a higher quality of life by obtaining their high school diploma and having post-secondary plans. A proud IPS graduate herself, Alma is employed in the very district she grew up in. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington and today is a bilingual professional known for working with vulnerable populations in the district.

Sydney helps individuals and companies navigate complex investigations brought by universities, state attorneys general, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other federal and state agencies. Her work also involves guiding clients through internal investigations, helping to evaluate potential wrongdoing and develop solutions to remediate possible ethics and compliance violations.

As part of the firm’s Research Misconduct Group, Sydney represents scientists who have been accused of plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of data in the context of scientific research supported by federal funds. In addition, Sydney is an ATIXA-certified Level One Civil Rights Investigator experienced in navigating the Title IX process and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and other acts of misconduct at private and public colleges and universities.

Sydney supports the White Collar Defense and False Claims Act practice groups, representing witnesses and whistleblowers in qui tam matters. Sydney also defends clients against state and federal false claims act investigations, carefully responding to civil investigation demands and grand jury subpoenas and advocating for clients’ many interests throughout the process.

Sydney is a member of the team approved by a leading education-specific insurance company to provide external investigations and participated in a two-day training on Restorative Justice Conferencing by the International Institute for Restorative Practices.

Dan Fotoples is the Director of Content Development for TNG with deep, extensive experience in both law and higher education. His expertise leverages both fields and centers on compliance and Title IX. His professional experience spans student affairs, Title IX, case management, residence life, training and development, and enrollment coaching in higher education.

Fotoples draws on his broad multi-disciplinary experience to create impactful, engaging content. He aims to make complex legal and compliance concepts as comprehensible as possible to those industry professionals and students without a legal background. Fotoples seeks to synthesize relevant, practical, and actionable takeaways in his writing and training to help readers and trainees overcome the compliance and equity challenges they face in their roles.

Fotoples earned his B.A. in history and philosophy from John Carroll University, his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame, and his M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.

Abra Francois currently serves as an Associate General Counsel at Tufts University, where she specializes in labor and employment as well as litigation, civil rights, athletics, and malpractice matters.  

Prior to this role, Abra worked as a Supervisory Civil Rights Attorney at the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, where she enforced civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age.  In this role, Abra investigated complaints of discrimination against colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts.  Abra also previously focused on civil rights and employment law at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and New York City Law Department.  

Abra is also a part-time lecturer at Tufts University, where she teaches Exclusionary Education: Law & Policy. Abra is a graduate of Simmons College and Boston College Law School. 

Terri Frasca is a Program Officer with the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She has conducted research examining the experiences of marginalized employees in the workplace, and received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Eva Goldfarb, Ph.D., Professor of Public Health, Montclair State University, earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in Sexuality Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. A leader in the field of sex education, Dr. Goldfarb’s research focuses on effective sexuality education methods, frameworks, and curricula; and best practices in sex education, including teacher preparation and training.

In 2021, Drs. Goldfarb and Lieberman published a seminal paper on three decades of evidence for comprehensive sex education. Since its publication, it has remained the most highly cited paper in the Journal of Adolescent Health. This led to a Guest Editorial in the NY Times and a wide range of presentations to state, national, and international organizations on school-based sex education and teacher preparation needs.

Heidi Goldstein’s professional and personal advocacy work is centered in creating environments, systems and processes that support people in recognizing and pursuing their full potential.  She is a vigorous advocate for gender and economic equity. In 2014 she collaborated with students at Berkeley (CA) High School to found the grassroots advocacy group BHS Stop Harassing (BHS SH), whose work to support targets of sexual harassment, state and local policy change, and education and empowerment of students to improve school climate has been recognized by awards and grants from national organizations including Equal Rights Advocates and Futures Without Violence.  In addition to serving as an Adult Advisor to BHS SH, she has been an active member of the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) Sexual Harassment Advisory Committee since 2014 and was appointed by the CA Superintendent for Public Instruction in 2016 to serve as the neutral appointee to the BUSD Personnel Commission.  Her human capital development consulting practice includes pro bono support for youth-oriented and social justice organizations.

Neil E. Golemo, PhD. is an educator, scholar, and collaborator dedicated to the development of Higher Education. He is the Director of Campus Living & Learning at Texas A&M’s Galveston Campus where he has served since 2006. Neil has 8 years of experience as a Title IX investigator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. He has consulted and supported campuses across the country on topics ranging from leadership, assessment and curricular design to Title IX investigation and barriers to reporting. His research interests include Title IX reporting and policy, especially where it intersects with minoritized communities, Campus threat assessment and intervention practices, Higher Ed leadership and governance, and systems of student success. He has been involved with ATIXA since 2012, having received Title IX investigator trainings through level 2, and Title IX administrator training through level 2. Neil holds degrees in Communications (’04) and Higher Education Administration (’06) from Baylor University and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M (’23). His current portfolio includes housing, all campus conduct, academic misconduct, camps & conferences, university accreditation, and he chairs the Campus CARE/BIT Team. He has presented and published at numerous conferences, including NASPA, ACPA, TACUSPA, and TAASA, and holds a faculty role with ACPA’s Institute for the Curricular Approach.

Christina Graziano is the General Counsel, Vice President for Strategy, and Title IX Coordinator at Assumption University, where she serves as a key advisor on legal, strategic, and regulatory matters. Before returning to her alma mater, Christina built a distinguished career as a plaintiff’s attorney in private practice, focusing on complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. Her litigation experience spans Title IX and institutional sexual assault cases, pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, products liability, business torts, and intellectual property law.

Christina has secured significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of plaintiffs injured by defective products and exposure to toxic materials. She has also counseled individuals and businesses on regulatory compliance and trademark issues, contributing to her comprehensive expertise in intellectual property law. A recognized leader in her field, she was selected to the National Trial Lawyers' “Top 40 Under 40” in 2018 and awarded the Franchise Times “Legal Eagle” for litigation in 2020.

In addition to her legal practice, Christina has written and lectured on legal topics such as Title IX adjudication, products liability, personal injury, class actions, and mass torts. She is a member of several professional associations, including the American Association for Justice, the National Trial Lawyers Association, and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.

Christina earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Assumption University, where she majored in political science. She is also a member of the Assumption University President's Council.

Leah Gutknecht, MBA, is the Title IX Officer at the University of Northern Iowa where she serves as the Assistant to the President for Civil Rights Compliance.  She oversees the functions of equal opportunity, affirmative action, and compliance with Title VII, Title IX, and ADA.  Gutknecht is a certified civil rights mediator and has served as a civil rights investigator and Title IX Officer for over 20 years.  She coordinated UNI’s conversion to a One Policy One Procedure model, organized a Title IX audit, compiled teams of investigators, deputy coordinators, and advisors, and led efforts to serve as a pilot institution for the Culture of Respect national program.  Working with student government, she lead the institution's Green Dot gender violence prevention programming. Being a member of the first cohort of ATIXA trained coordinators in 2011, Gutknecht had the pleasure presenting at the 2015, 2017, and 2024 national conferences, presenting an ATIXA One Policy One Procedure online training, contributing as a featured columnist for Title IX Today, serving as a member of the editorial advisory board for the Journal of Campus IX, and contributing to ATIXA through her role as an Advisory Board member.

Mandy Hambleton is an educator with over a decade of progressively responsible behavior management experience, including roles in student conduct and academic integrity, behavioral intervention and case management, and Title IX compliance at multiple higher education institutions.

She has extensive experience in policy and process development including both public-facing policies and internal standard operating procedures, templates, and forms. She often teaches courses on informal resolution, DEI, and the intersection of BIT and Title IX, as well as those with an approach based on applied learning.

Hambleton is also frequently sought by her peers for her creativity in training curriculum development, applied learning exercises, and facilitation. She has a breadth of experience in alternative dispute resolution/conflict resolution processes and practices and is a highly skilled informal resolution facilitator and trainer for all types of complaints, including those falling under Title IX. An accomplished writer, content developer, editor, and facilitator, she serves as the TNG Director of Content Development responsible for managing and contributing to the development and refinement of print publications, training materials, new course development, and member resources for TNG, ATIXA, and NABITA.

Prior to joining TNG, Hambleton served as the Title IX Director at Florida State University where she managed Title IX compliance strategies and programs for three domestic and four international higher education sites, as well as a K-12 charter school district. Hambleton has a proven capacity for developing new and restructuring existing staff teams and offices for building trust in people and processes, increasing effectiveness, and establishing brand recognition.

She holds a B.A. in English – Professional Communication from Winthrop University and an M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University.

Alisha Carter Harris is a Senior Consultant with TNG and has extensive experience in civil rights/equal opportunity compliance and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her experience is based primarily in higher education but Carter Harris is also well-versed in the financial services industry.

Prior to her arrival at TNG, Carter Harris served as an Employee Relations Partner at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. where she investigated employment-related complaints made by employees of all levels across the firm. She has also served as Associate Director of Equal Opportunity/Deputy Title IX Coordinator at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas. As Associate Director, Carter Harris assisted with the administration of the nondiscrimination program for UNT, most notably by conducting workplace and education investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment. As Deputy Title IX Coordinator, she assisted with Title IX compliance through policy development, oversight of student investigations, training, and advising faculty, staff, and administrators on matters related to sexual misconduct. Carter Harris has held similar administrative positions at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pennsylvania.

Carter Harris holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.S. in Legal Studies from the California University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a certificate in alternative dispute resolution from the University of North Texas.

Haven L. Hart is the Supervising Consultant & Director of Client Success at TNG. She serves as a liaison between Consulting and Content, Marketing, and Business Development to assess and address client needs. She also develops systems to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and oversees the quality review process upon engagement completion. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, teaching/training, continuous improvement, program and project management, individual and organizational risk management, threat assessment, and student success.

Hart is a career higher education professional with more than 30 years of experience in student affairs administration. She most recently served as Assistant Vice President for Student Development at Auburn University where she oversaw Career Services and Cooperative Education, Greek Life, Health Promotion and Wellness Services, the Office of Accessibility, Auburn Cares, and Student Conduct. She also chaired the Bias Education and Response Team and coordinated the Title IX Process Advisor program.

Prior to her time at Auburn, she served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Coastal Carolina University, Dean of Students at Converse College, and Assistant Director of Student Life at the University of Alabama. At Coastal Carolina, an award was created in her honor to recognize the impact she had on students.  She also received the Paul P. Fidler Award for academic partnerships for the state of South Carolina, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region III Bob E. Leach Award for Outstanding Service to Students, the Joseph O. Nixon Award for Outstanding Chief Student Affairs Officer and the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor at both the University of Alabama and Converse College. In 2019, she was presented with the Woman of Distinction Award at Auburn’s Women’s Leadership Conference.  

Hart’s research interests include women’s leadership, student sense of belonging, sorority/fraternity housing, and retention of marginalized students. She is actively engaged in professional associations, serving on the NASPA Fraternity/Sorority Life disciplinary process task force and as a faculty member for the Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA)/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute. She is also the former president of the South Carolina College Personnel Association.

She earned a Ph.D. in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University and two degrees from Clemson University – an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling and a B.A. in Secondary Education.

Dr. Saed Deryck Hill, Ph.D.is a Counseling Psychologist and Consultant, who specializes in the promotion of pro-social masculinities and wellness. He provides trainings, 1on1 coaching, and strategic consulting on the topic of expansive and restrictive masculinities. Saed works with national organizations, school districts, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and other communities to train staff, facilitate workshops, design curricula, promote bystander intervention, and manage respondent support and alternative resolution processes. Saed also advises the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse, was a board member of the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities for two years and served as the Director of Prevention & Masculine Engagement at Northwestern University for the previous six years. Saed earned his Ph.D. from The University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed his Doctoral Internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his spare time, he enjoys psychoanalyzing trashy reality TV, obsessing about fantasy football, and attempting (sometimes successfully) to cook his mother’s best Guyanese food recipes.

Michelle Issadore, M.Ed., CAE is the Chief Operating Officer for TNG, the former Senior Associate Executive Director for the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), and the former Executive Director of the School and College Organization for Prevention Educators (SCOPE). She works with the leaders of TNG’s membership associations and training offerings, ATIXA and NABITA, as well as the team responsible for our communications to the field, to continually offer our members and clients the most engaging communities, best-in-class professional development, and real-time information.

Issadore spent five years as Assistant Director of the Women’s Center at Lehigh University where she coordinated sexual violence prevention and response, including annual and ongoing trainings and programming for faculty, staff, and students. She advised Lehigh’s peer educator group and hotline, which was the 2009 recipient of NASPA’s Silver Excellence Award for Violence Education and Prevention, Crisis Management and Campus Security. She also instituted an online anonymous reporting system for sexual violence, with the support of related departments. Issadore was responsible for management of the staff advocate program, which provided confidential crisis and options counseling to victims. She created a writing-intensive sexual violence course and taught in the Women’s Studies program. She completed 40 hours of advocate training in Pennsylvania’s Northampton and Lehigh counties.

Issadore has served as co-chair of the National Women’s Studies Association’s Women’s Centers Committee, as a member of the Clery Center for Security on Campus Advisory Board, and as part of the Futures Without Violence Campus Policy Advisory Board. She has presented many online trainings, certification courses, and conference sessions, as well as written for several publications.

Nicole L. Johnson, PhD (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at Lehigh University. Her research is dedicated to the exploration and implementation of prevention programming for gender-based violence (e.g., rape, intimate partner violence, violence against individuals with marginalized sexual and gender identities) and the understanding and eradication of rape culture. Dr. Johnson is the coordinator of The Resistance Lab at Lehigh University. She is also a licensed psychologist whose clinical work focuses on the empowerment of survivors of gender-based violence through feminist approaches to counseling.

Kim has 10 years’ experience as a paralegal involved in law related to children, currently in the Office of General Counsel as Paralegal & Title IX Coordinator for Indianapolis Public Schools, the largest public school district in Indiana. In that role over the last 2 years she developed new reporting protocols, revised policy, trained over 2,500 school based staff in mandatory and Title IX reporting, and successfully partnered with community organizations. Most of the IPS funding for Title IX prevention initiatives and education efforts have come from those community partner organizations.

Kim joined IPS as paralegal in February 2015 during a time that the district was facing some difficult Title IX matters that made national news.  Those matters became the impetus to make extensive district changes in staff training, reporting, investigating, and documenting and closely related mandatory reporting. Kim assumed the Title IX responsibilities in Jan 2018.

During her paralegal career she served children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for 3 years, giving her strong insight into Child Protective Services reporting requirements gained while working alongside Division of Children’s Services.  Kim was the Guidance Director for a private charter school in Indianapolis for over 6 years before receiving her AS in Paralegal Science, giving her understanding of K12 administration responsibilities and complexities.  

An ATIXA member since 2018, she has served as a member of ATIXA’s K12 Advisory Committee for over a year.  IPS, under Kim’s leadership, hosted a successful ATIXA K12 Conference in Fall 2019. ATIXA published her Top Ten Tips for K12 Title IX Coordinators in 2019.

RaKim “RahK” Lash is the Vice President of Programs for A Call to Men- a worldwide leader in training and educating men and boys to embrace and promote a healthy, respectful manhood.

He was first introduced to the organization in 2011 as a participant of the Men Ending Violence Conference in Asheville, NC. In 2016, he was invited to join the organization as a Trainer and in 2023 he stepped into the role of Director of Healthy Manhood Initiatives.

RahK started his career in higher education in Arkansas. Within student affairs, he transitioned from Housing & Residence Life to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and then Student Leadership & Engagement. During his time at Ithaca College, he championed student success through progressive responsibilities and roles in Multicultural Affairs and the Center for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Social Change (IDEAS). As the inaugural Director of the MLK Scholars program at New York University, he worked collaboratively to engage, educate, and empower students through leadership development, academic excellence, research, and civic engagement.

As a leader, he believes impact can never be sacrificed for anticipation. He currently resides in the Charlotte area of North Carolina and is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. RahK is a writer, DJ, cosplayer, gamer, artist, and enjoys all things comic-book/ superhero related.

W. Scott Lewis, J.D. is a Managing Partner with TNG, LLC. (“TNG”), a national multidisciplinary risk management consulting and law firm with more than 5,000 education-sector clients, 35 executive and support employees, and a roster of 25 attorneys and consultants who are at the forefront of the field in their areas of expertise. He is a co-founder and advisory board member of the Association of Title IX Administrators (“ATIXA”) the leading industry association for Title IX compliance, with over 5,000 active school and college members. In 2009, Lewis co-founded The National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (“NABITA”), an organization of 1,200 members dedicated to school and campus violence prevention, intervention, and mental health resources. and was president of ASCA.

Lewis has worked with the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women and the Department of Education’s Offices of Civil Rights as a trainer and consultant, training staff and investigators. He was a consultant to the Office of the Vice President and the White House Task Force on issues of Sexual Misconduct, as well as a core member of the United States Olympic Committee’s Task Force that proposed and created the United States Center for SafeSport, both of which he consults with and trains. He also consults with and trains numerous sports organizations and governing bodies at all levels from High Schools to Olympic Level athletes, trainers, coaches, and staff, including working with the NCAA and NJCAA.

Dr. Lisa Lieberman, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Public Health, Montclair State University, received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan. Her scholarly work includes mixed-methods research and evaluation of sex education programs, campus sexual assault, and policy approaches to sex education and reproductive health.

In 2021, Drs. Goldfarb and Lieberman published a seminal paper on three decades of evidence for comprehensive sex education. Since its publication, it has remained the most highly cited paper in the Journal of Adolescent Health. This led to a Guest Editorial in the NY Times and a wide range of presentations to state, national, and international organizations on school-based sex education and teacher preparation needs.

Tina Marisam is Associate Vice President & Title IX Coordinator at the University of Minnesota, where she has worked in the Title IX space for the past 10 years. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a former labor and employment attorney at the law firm WilmerHale.

Public health practitioner, educator, and thought leader within Health Equity and Social and Racial Justice with over 18 years of experience within academia, policy, and community-based work. Diana is the founding director of the Learning Environment Office (LEO) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Sciences center, which was launched under her leadership in 2019. Diana has brought public health, systems transformation, civil rights, and equity frameworks to advance LEO’s mission, which is to foster an inclusive learning environment where teachers, staff, and learners thrive, and where relationships are mutually respectful and beneficial to each other and to institutional climate. Since its launch, LEO has grown from a team of 1 full-time staff member to a team of 18, including staff and faculty, making it one of the most robustly resourced offices of its kind. Diana’s broad experiences are in designing, overseeing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives to increase equity for urban, tribal, and rural communities and communities of color across New Mexico (NM). With over 18 years at UNM as an institutional leader bridging academic and research culture with educators, administrators, and community leaders to cultivate the talents of NM’s diverse communities. She has secured over $8m in federal and local funding to build collaborations to improve educational and health outcomes through policy and programs. Diana is completing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice. Her dissertation research is focused on structural and systemic root causes, drivers, and inhibitors of learner mistreatment in academic medicine. Diana is married to Javier Martínez; they often work collaboratively as they see their professional lives as intertwined and synergistic. They have two treasured children, Marisela and Camilo. Daughter of a critical race scholar and mathematician, Diana’s passion is intersectional equity and justice, and brings this passion to her roles as a public health practitioner, educator, innovator, and her most prized role: mother.

Alyssa-Rae McGinn has extensive experience serving as an investigator, decision maker, hearing chair, mediator/informal resolution facilitator, and interim Title IX Coordinator, with particular expertise in applying regulatory requirements and best practices in complex matters of sexual misconduct and identity-based harassment at educational institutions. Alyssa-Rae balances a compassionate understanding of the difficulty parties face being involved in such matters with the importance of remaining compliant with relevant law and policy.

Alyssa-Rae was previously a Senior Associate at Ankura, where she and Dan Schorr established the firm’s Title IX and Civil Rights Investigations practice and grew it to assist institutions nationwide. Prior to Ankura, Alyssa-Rae was an Associate Director in Kroll’s Business Investigations & Intelligence practice, where she co-founded the Women’s Network at Kroll.

Alyssa-Rae served on the board of the Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association and has volunteered with the NYC Anti-Violence Project, East Harlem Tutorial Program, and Team Brownsville.

Alyssa-Rae holds a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University and Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in English from St. John’s University. Alyssa-Rae is certified by ATIXA as a Civil Rights Investigator and Hearing Officer/Chair, and by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and MetroWest Mediation Services as a Mediator. She is a pre-approved Sexual Misconduct Investigator for the United Educators ProResponse Expert Services Benefit.

As Executive Director, Jessica Mertz leads the strategic vision of the organization and partners with the board of directors and staff to advance Clery Center’s mission of improving campus safety. Jessica works with legislatures, ally organizations, and campus leaders across the country to improve policies and raise awareness about key safety issues college students face. Prior to Clery Center, Jessica spent ten years at the University of Pennsylvania where she was the founding Director of Penn Violence Prevention. She also served in various roles as a prevention educator and victim advocate with a focus on sexual assault and domestic violence. Jessica received a certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the Fels Institute of Government, received her M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers, and her B.A. from St. Joseph’s University.

Dr. Ally Miller has been a dedicated professional in higher education for over a decade, focusing on equity, compliance, and student rights. Currently serving as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Lynn University, Dr. Miller oversees Title IX compliance and works to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff.

Throughout her career, Dr. Miller has worked closely with faculty, staff, and students to develop clear, fair, and effective conduct procedures. She is well-versed in handling complex cases involving student discipline and ensuring that due process and educational opportunities are at the forefront of resolution strategies. This combined expertise in Title IX and student conduct allows Dr. Miller to approach campus safety and student behavior issues with a holistic and nuanced perspective. Her experience in higher education served as the foundation for her doctoral studies.

A passionate advocate for student rights and institutional responsibility, Dr. Miller has led several initiatives aimed at improving campus climate and has been instrumental in implementing education and prevention programs that address both Title IX issues and general student misconduct.  When not working, Dr. Miller enjoys traveling, reading murder mystery books, and spending time with her fur child.

Mikiba W. Morehead is a consultant with TNG and has extensive experience in Student Affairs as a Student Conduct practitioner specialized in the areas of Title IX, crisis management, and student advocacy.

Her expertise centers on cyber sexual abuse, informal resolution processes, specifically mediation and restorative justice, policy revision, and ADA/504 compliance. Morehead has developed and delivered numerous trainings for investigators, decision-makers, hearing boards, appeal officers, and support persons across public, private, and health science/medical education institutions. She provides effective and sustainable solutions for colleges, universities, and schools to care for the needs of students and campus communities with an eye towards social justice. She has served as an interim Title IX Coordinator for a college client.

Prior to joining TNG, Morehead served as Title IX Coordinator and Director of Student Disability Services at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, Director of Community Standards at the University of Texas at Arlington, and Program Coordinator for Student Conduct at Texas A& M University.

Morehead holds a B.A. in Communication and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville, and an Ed.D. in Education, Ethical Leadership from the University of St. Thomas – Houston.

Araiña Muñiz (She/Her/Ella) currently serves as the Executive Director of Civil Rights Compliance, Title IX/ADA/504 Coordinator for Colorado State University. Muñiz has worked in higher education for over 20 years ranging from small private colleges to large public universities with a Muñiz’s breadth of experience includes the areas of Title IX, diversity, inclusion, equity, equal opportunity residence life, and human resources. Muñiz obtained her undergraduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA from Framingham State University. Muñiz currently serves on the Advisory Board for ATIXA.

Jennifer has 20 years of experience working with students in both K-12 arena and the adult vocational learning arena. For 11 years Jennifer managed and directed at two massage schools in Albuquerque where she had to educate herself on compliance for educational institutes. Since starting at Albuquerque Public Schools in 2016 she has worked in Employee Relations managing staff discipline at the highest level. In 2021 Jennifer moved in the Equal Opportunity Services Department where she continues to build her knowledge and experience in educational compliance. Jennifer brings a different approach to compliance work with a emphasis on neutral empathy, connection and heart.

Kim Pacelli is a Partner with TNG who possesses substantial experience with the day-to-day challenges facing colleges, universities, and schools. She provides practical advice that empowers institutions to confidently manage high-risk issues on their campuses. Her practice includes:

• Policy and procedure development and consultation;
• Program review, assessment, and compliance consultations; and
• Tailored on-site training programs, among others.

She regularly trains and advises on Title IX policy and procedures, Clery Act reporting and compliance, student mental health interventions and policies, FERPA and student privacy issues, free speech issues for both public and private institutions, and student conduct issues, among others. She has also served as an invited speaker at regional and national conferences.

Ms. Pacelli’s solution-oriented approach to her work stems from her extensive experience as a student affairs practitioner. Kim served as Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Bowdoin College, where she provided leadership, operational, budget, and personnel oversight to many central offices of the college, including the Dean’s office, Health Services, Counseling Services, Residential Life, and other student support offices. She also served as Associate Dean of Student Life for Harvard University.

Maya Satya Reddy is a queer South Asian former professional golfer, LGBTQ+ sports law and policy expert, founder of the Queer Asian Social Club, and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Together, they will share insight about the barriers experienced by queer and transgender student populations, and what institutions can do to help.

Elexandria Reese is a Title IX & EEO Investigator at Auburn University, specializing in investigating sex-based misconduct and ensuring civil rights and equal opportunity compliance. Her experience is based primarily in higher education and human resources, but Reese is also knowledgeable in technical recruiting.

Prior to joining Auburn University, Reese served as a Human Resources Partner at Amazon, where she trained employees, resolved workplace disputes, and investigated employment-related complaints. She also worked as a Technical Sourcing Recruiter for Amazon Web Services, supporting the development and implementation of DEI talent acquisition initiatives for Software Development Engineers. Reese began her career in Student Affairs at Mercer University, where she served as a housing professional, student conduct decision maker, and Title IX investigator.

Reese holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.S. in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T State University.

Elizabeth Rogers is an accomplished higher education professional with extensive experience across various institutions, specializing in program management, compliance, and strategic partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, African American Studies, and Sociology, as well as a Master of Arts in Gender and Race Studies from the University of Alabama. With over a decade of expertise, Elizabeth has focused her career on organizational development and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through trauma-informed public health interventions.

Her career includes leading sexual violence prevention efforts at UCLA, where she developed DEI training centered on racial and gender equity, trauma-informed practices, and strategic planning. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Director of Civil Rights at Wofford College, and as a Leadership Coach for Social Justice and Community Organizing at the Stan Greenspon Center in Charlotte, NC.

A passionate advocate for survivor justice and racial equity, Elizabeth draws from Black Feminist scholarship and community organizing to champion liberation and equity for historically marginalized communities. Her work highlights the intersections of gender-based violence, race, sexuality, and policy. She has also taught courses in African American Studies, Women’s Studies, and Political Science at the University of Alabama, where she contributed to peer education at the Women and Gender Resource Center.

Elizabeth is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that promote empowerment and resilience. Her commitment to curating inclusive spaces, building strategic partnerships, and advocating for survivor justice drives impactful change and fosters a culture of support and empowerment within every institution she engages with.

Makenzie Schiemann is the President of NABITA and a Partner at TNG. Her areas of expertise include policy and program development for behavioral intervention teams, case management, and victim advocacy, strategies for chairing behavioral intervention teams, research and assessment, and strategic planning for comprehensive educational and awareness programming.

Schiemann has previously served as the Director for Student Outreach and Support, the Director for the Center for Victim Advocacy, and the Chair of the Students of Concern Assistance Team for three years at the University of South Florida. In these roles, she developed comprehensive protocol manuals for both the case management program and the victim advocacy department which aligned with best practice standards and served as a model for other institutions in the development of their policies. In this role, she also developed and implemented a comprehensive violence prevention campaign. Prior to working at the University of South Florida, Schiemann served for six years as the Director of Outreach Services and Health Promotion at Eckerd College where she oversaw the case management program and chaired the Intervention Team.

Prior to her ten years spent in higher education, Schiemann taught 8^th grade in the Kentucky K-12 public education system. In this role, she also served on the school’s Crisis Response Committee, developing strategies for preventing and responding to crisis incidents including school-wide behavioral trends, acts of physical aggression, and active shooter scenarios.

Schiemann holds a B.S. in education from Ashland University, an M.S. in education psychology, community counseling from Southern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, higher education administration at the University of South Florida.

Ms. Schuster is a recognized expert in preventive and civil rights law for education, notably in the fields of harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct and violence, ADA and disability issues and the First Amendment. 

Ms. Schuster has extensive experience and expertise in, and routinely advises clients on, the First Amendment and campus access issues; risk management and liability; behavior intervention and threat assessment; student discipline and campus conduct; intellectual property and employment issues. Ms. Schuster provides assistance nationally to both public and private educational schools and colleges in policy development, faculty handbooks and employee manuals, and training for state and federal compliance. She has provided extensive consultation to and training for the U.S. Justice Department, Office of Violence Against Women, the White House Task Force on Sexual Assault and the Futures Without Violence organization. She also provides litigation consultation, expert witness support, and conducts civil rights-based investigation for educational institutions. She provided contraceptive support and rape crisis counseling and served on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of Butler County.

Dr. Shah is a board-certified gastroenterologist and geriatrician who has focused his career at the intersection of adult learning, QI, and patient safety. Brijen’s leadership roles have included serving as the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Mount Sinai Queens. Brijen’s current work focuses on developing a culture of safety and professionalism, creating systems to enhance provider performance, and working with leadership to better integrate advanced practice providers into the health care system. He serves as a consultant for Mount Sinai International collaborating on safety and quality projects in China and Guyana. Brijen serves as a QI coach for the VA GeriScholars program to teach QI to rural health care providers. He is a graduate of GNYHA’s Clinical Quality Fellowship Program. Brijen is a graduate of the Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/Mount Sinai Hospital GI Fellowship program.  Outside of work, Brijen enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking and lives with his husband in New York City.

Siena (She/Her/Hers) serves as a Title IX and OEO Technician at Colorado State University. With a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminology from the University of South Florida, she discovered her passion for Title IX and DEI work through an internship that evolved into a five-year career that is continuing to grow. While continuing graduate education at CSU, Siena has since worked in various roles supporting the Executive Director, civil rights investigators, and deputy directors across various departments, including HR, serving on campus committees which monitor equity along with physical and virtual accessibility. Siena is also part of a clinical psychology lab, which focuses research on substance use and risky behaviors in historically marginalized populations.

Brett Sokolow is the Chair of TNG, LLC (“TNG”), a national multidisciplinary risk management consulting and law firm with more than 5,000 education-sector clients, 50 executive and support employees, and a roster of 25 attorneys and consultants who are at the forefront of the field in their areas of expertise. Sokolow founded TNG, then known as The National Center for Higher Education Risk Management, in 2000.

Sokolow is recognized for his national leadership on systems-level solutions for safer schools and campuses, and is widely considered to be one of the foremost Title IX experts in the nation. He has served as an Expert Witness in more than 75 significant lawsuits affecting college, university, and school liability.

In addition to his role with TNG, Sokolow served as Executive Director of the Association of Title IX Administrators (“ATIXA”) from 2012-2017 and now serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of ATIXA (www.atixa.org), the leading industry association for Title IX compliance, with over 9,900 active school and college members. TNG provides consulting services to more than 400 campuses and schools each year. TNG has provided services to over 5,000 school, college and university clients, including training programs for campus and school district administrators, faculty and staff training, sexual assault and Title IX case management, risk management for fraternities and sororities, workshops and seminars. TNG also provides expert witness services, and lobbying efforts for campus crime and sexual assault-related legislation.

Melissa serves as a strategic partner on the leadership team in the Office of the Provost developing and implementing strategic plans for the University, academic human resources policies, and negotiating academic labor contracts. She collaborates with leadership across the university to improve the organizational culture of the working and learning environment with college, school, department, and unit leaders across the university on all academic human resources-related functions for 5,700 faculty, academic staff, and executive management. Prior to coming to MSU, she worked at the University of Michigan as the Associate Director of Academic Human Resources. Melissa holds a B.A. in English and Communications from Western Michigan University and an M.A. Degree in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University.

Kait Spear is a Program Officer with the Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education. Before joining the National Academies in 2022, Spear was a Senior Research Associate at NORC at the University of Chicago, where she engaged in many IPV-related, policy-oriented projects. Spear received her Master in Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, along with two certificates in Health Disparities and Health Inequality, and Population Health. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Medicine, Health, and Society; Psychology; and Women’s and Gender Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Lauren is a consultant with TNG who is passionate about solving problems and supporting clients. She has experience with Title IX and Civil Rights investigations and compliance. Lauren’s experience is wide-ranging, but primarily based in Title IX compliance in higher education, including in dual enrollment, nursing and allied health programs, and pregnant and parenting. Lauren also has experience with Section 504/ADA and Clery Act compliance.

Lauren enjoys training at every level. She has experience creating and presenting custom trainings on Title IX compliance, mandatory reporting, and Section 504/ADA compliance.

Prior to joining TNG, Lauren served as the Director of Institutional Equity at South Texas College, as well as the college’s Title IX Coordinator and Section 504/ADA Coordinator. During her tenure at South Texas College, Lauren served on the college’s Clery Committee, participated in Behavioral Intervention Team meetings as the Title IX and 504/ADA Coordinator, and served as a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.

Before joining the higher education world, Lauren practiced law as a commercial litigation associate at Husch Blackwell, LLP. At Husch Blackwell, Lauren litigated a variety of cases ranging from breach of contract, trade secret disputes, and class action defense. Lauren also had a significant pro bono practice, representing clients in adoptions, post-conviction relief, and victims of human-trafficking. Before pursuing a legal career, Lauren taught middle school English at a private K-12 school.

Lauren holds a B.A. in English from Washington and Lee University. At W&L, Lauren was also a college-athlete all four years of her undergrad, competing as member of the women’s swim team. Lauren has a J.D. from the Tulane University Law School where she was an active member of the school’s moot court team and the domestic violence clinic. 

Jarvis Steele is a higher education professional with a wide range of experience. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Political Science and Philosophy. He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law and is a barred attorney in Georgia. Jarvis has dedicated his career to improving the Title IX space and credits his family and professional mentors for shaping his philosophy on community support and his commitment to higher education.

Jarvis’s career is dedicated to exploring equity through jurisprudence. He has served in multiple roles that have contributed to this mission. As a law student Jarvis worked in the Fulton County Public Defender’s office, where he was able to see firsthand the impact of diligent and reliable representation in the court of law. In addition to this, he worked with the Veterans Legal Clinic, where he saw the importance of supporting vulnerable populations through complex administrative processes.

These experiences contributed greatly to the development of the “Steele Curriculum”. This is a research project that Jarvis created while working as the Dean’s Research Assistant at the University of Georgia School of Law. This curriculum encourages law schools to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence into their academic mission with the intention of creating a community of belonging.

Jarvis served in a dual role at Georgia Southern, working as both Assistant University Counsel and a Civil Rights Investigator. As Assistant University Counsel he supported the General Counsel’s office through legal writing and research. He provided legal expertise for different units at Georgia Southern University, specifically working on major projects with the Human Resources Department and the Title IX Office. As a Civil Rights Investigator he conducted investigations related to Title IX violations as well as EEO violations. Jarvis works with Colorado State University as a hearing advisor for their Title IX process. In this role he uses his skills to conduct cross-examinations and advise on resolution agreements for both complainants and respondents.

As Title IX Coordinator for Wofford College, Jarvis has made strides in the professionalization of the office, streamlining of case management practices, and hosted the first ever “Talking Title IX in the Upstate” Title IX conference. This conference brought Title IX professionals from around South Carolina to the Wofford College campus to talk about the changing landscape of Title IX. This free day of professional development and fellowship deepened the professional network of Title IX practitioners in South Carolina. Jarvis is an active member of ATIXA, a member of the ATIXA DEIB Community of Practice and the facilitator of his ATIXA community connections group.

Daniel Swinton is Chief Consulting Officer and Partner with TNG. Daniel consults frequently with colleges, universities and K-12 on issues of Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act and sexual violence, alcohol and other drugs, behavioral intervention, bystander intervention, student conduct policies and procedures, hearing board training, mediation and legal issues in education. Daniel often serves institutions as an external investigation support provider for issues of sexual misconduct and other complex student conduct matters as well as employment concerns, retaliation and harassment. He also serves as an expert witness in cases of sexual assault, Title IX, negligence, academic integrity and civil rights. He has authored a number of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics ranging from student conduct to civil rights investigations. Daniel is also a frequent presenter and invited speaker at national and regional conferences.

Prior to his work with TNG, he served as Assistant Dean and Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity at Vanderbilt University.

Daniel serves on the Advisory Board of NABITA (National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment). He has also served on the Board for the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA), having served as its President in 2011-2012.

He has also been interviewed and/or featured by The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times, USA Today, Inside Higher Ed, Student Affairs Today, and the Washington Post, as well as other publications and sources.

Jacob Tabor is the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and also serves as the university’s Title IX and ADA/Section 504 coordinator. Jacob received his JD at Boston College Law School and his BA in Political Science at Colorado College.

Before joining Brandeis, Jacob served as a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). In that role, Jacob enforced federal civil rights laws, investigating civil rights complaints filed against elementary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions involving allegations of discrimination based on protected classes: race, color and national origin; sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity; disability; and age. Jacob also served as a neutral mediator, helping parties reach private agreements in civil rights disputes, and helped lead the OCR Boston’s Diversity Committee.

Before joining OCR, Jacob worked as a commercial litigator at a large Boston law firm and clerked for Judge Harris L. Hartz on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Jacob’s passion for civil rights in the educational setting stems from his own experience growing up with learning disabilities, his steadfast belief that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect, and his desire to help create a safe and inclusive environment for all.

As EndTAB’s Director of Training and Education, Sloan’s work has been driven by a passion for creating safe and respectful online spaces and serving those who have been impacted by violence. Before joining EndTAB, she honed her skills as a prevention professional by serving as a Violence Prevention Coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and as the Training and Outreach Specialist for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV). During her time at EndTAB, Sloan has been instrumental in developing partnerships with a wide range of organizations seeking to educate their communities about online harm and ensure their digital safety and wellbeing of their staff. She has has provided professional development trainings for domestic and sexual violence coalitions and nonprofits, facilitated workshops with students and staff at universities, and collaborated closely with the U.S. Dept. of the Air Force, spearheading efforts to eliminate image-based sexual abuse and harassment across global installations. Through these initiatives, Sloan has been a fervent advocate for fostering sex positivity and nurturing healthy relationships within online communities. Beyond her work in the field of violence prevention and online safety, Sloan has a substantial educational background. She spent four years abroad, teaching English and Drama to K-12 students in Budapest, Hungary, enriching her international experience and pedagogical approach. Sloan earned her MFA in Directing from the University of British Columbia and her BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Elizabeth “Liz” Trayner, Ed. D. serves as Assistant Vice President, Institutional Equity at Seattle University. In this role she also serves as Title IX Coordinator and 504 Coordinator. Dr. Trayner’s core values are equity, integrity, community, serving others, respect, and continual improvement. Liz has a strong commitment beyond compliance. She is committed to providing a comprehensive approach to administering an equitable process for responding to sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation. She has well over 20 years of experience in a wide range of areas within higher education including over 10 years as a Title IX administrator. Dr. Trayner has revamped campus policies and procedures on multiple campuses.

Dr. Trayner is committed to her own ongoing education. She has been participating in ATIXA and NaBITA trainings since 2012 and completed all trainings and certifications to date. She is an alumnus of the Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI), has participated and led multiple White Accountability Groups, UndocuAlly Training, Mental Health First Aid Training, Restorative Justice Training, Disney Institute for Leadership Excellence, Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students (B.A.S.I.C.S.) Motivational Interviewing Training, National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), and numerous sessions as local, regional, national, and international conferences to shape her to become the practitioner she is today. Additionally, Liz is a certified instructor for Green Dot Bystander Intervention, and Stop the Hate.

Dr. Trayner has presented on the regional, national, and international level on how to do more with less, choosing and training your advisors, virtual hearings, developing a more inclusive hiring process, tools for successfully supervising new professionals, working through institutional change, igniting best practices in addressing sexual misconduct, Title IX, universal design, minimizing bias in the hiring process, messages I’ve learned about race and ethnicity, dis/ability awareness, exploring spirituality, experiences of international students, leadership and supervision, domestic violence, human trafficking, developing a professional development plan, LGBTQ+ 101, breaking down the wall of identity stereotypes, Allies and Advocates training, and recruiting quality student staff.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Trayner has served at University of the Pacific, Mills College, San Francisco Art Institute, Willamette University, University of Southern California, Occidental College, California State University, Chico, and The University of South Dakota. Elizabeth received her Ed. D. in Higher Education Administration from University of Southern California, her M.M. in Vocal Performance, and her B.M. in Music Education both from The University of South Dakota. Liz has been an active member of ATIXA and has served as Co-Chair of the DEIB Community of Practice in addition to serving on the working group for the Admissions Model Policy and assisted with documents for ATIXA’s TIXKit. Additionally, she co-presented a webinar on Virtual Hearings and has been a presented for multiple member-led Time with IX sessions. In 2020, Dr. Trayner founded the Northern California Title IX Administrators Network (now 9^th Circuit Title IX Administrators Network).

Karen Truszkowski is President and Senior Counsel of Temperance Legal Group, PLLC. Her practice focuses solely on Title IX cases at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The media have most recently reported on the successful cases she has settled for survivors at MSU and Holland Christian Schools, among several others.

Karen began her career as a staff attorney for the United Auto Workers (UAW) Legal Services. Thereafter, she went into private practice where she handled personal injury matters, other civil litigation, and municipal defense for the City of Flint, MI. Her teaching career began in 1999 immediately following graduation from law school; her focus was Elder Law at the graduate school level. Karen achieved her dream of becoming a faculty supervisor in the Sixty Plus Elderlaw Clinic at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School where she had interned as a law student. In addition, Karen served as a District Court Magistrate in Oakland County, MI. In addition to holding schools accountable to Title IX, Karen continues her advocacy work in elder law and elder abuse prevention.

Joseph Vincent is a Partner at TNG, LLC (“TNG”), a national multidisciplinary risk management consulting and law firm with more than 5,000 education-sector clients, 35 executive and support employees, and a roster of 25 attorneys and consultants who are at the forefront of the field in their areas of expertise. TNG was founded in 2000.

Joe rose to prominence as a civil rights trainer, investigator, and educator began when he served as a Title IX Coordinator for a graduate healthcare professions university system.  In 2018, TNG recruited Joe as a consultant because of his track record as an effective leader, trainer, and administrator. He contributes unique insight and valuable experience that is rooted in his “boots on the ground” work as a Title IX Coordinator and civil rights investigator.  His expertise includes employment matters, broad policy development and implementation, and specialized experience in the dynamics that bear on healthcare education and power differentials.

In 2019, Joe developed and launched TNG’s Mentorship in Professionalism and Appropriate Conduct (MPAC) program to help support schools’ efforts to educate and train employees subject to school sanctions for discriminatory and/or harassing misconduct. Consistent with his prior campus-based experience, Joe continues to serve as an external investigator and adjudicator and an advisor for policy development and implementation. He frequently contributes as an expert witness in lawsuits affecting college, university, and school liability.

Sarah I. Vincent, Attorney, Husch Blackwell, helps clients proactively address labor and employment matters, creating an inclusive and welcoming culture for their employees. Sarah came to the practice of law after working as a high school teacher in an underserved community—an experience that left her longing for a career that would provide a stronger voice for advocacy work. She focused first on immigration law, externing with the Department of Justice and the Executive Office of Immigration Review. However, a summer at a labor and employment defense firm demonstrated to her how powerful the practice area was, with its many opportunities to help companies effect positive change for their employees. As a labor and employment attorney, Sarah counsels national employers on a range of issues, with a specific focus on DEI and how to cultivate inclusive hiring and retention practices, especially for justice-impacted individuals. Sarah is certified in DEI from Cornell University, is an alumnus of the Fair Chance Corporate Cohort, and received the 2024 Young Alumni of the Year Award from Pepperdine University for her work in DEI. 

Erik S. Wessel, D.Ed., (he/him) is the Director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) at the University of Michigan. OSCR is a multi-disciplinary office which employs a spectrum model of restorative resolution pathways for campus community conflict and accountability. It is in this role that he has collaborated on the development and effective implementation of Adaptable Resolution pathways for Sexual and Gender-based misconduct, as well as building effective psychoeducational intervention tools responsive to sexual and gender-based educational needs. Erik holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from Penn State University with specialization in Counselor Education. Prior to joining the OSCR team in 2015, Erik served as the Director of the Office of Student Conduct at Ferris State University and worked in student conduct and Residence Life at Penn State University. He is co-editor of  Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A guide to Emerging Practices published in 2023 from Routledge.

Quinn Williams has served as General Counsel for the University of Wisconsin System since December 2017. Quinn graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 with a B.A. degree and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School in 2006. Quinn served as a Staff Attorney at the Department of Natural Resources from 2007 to 2012, then as an Attorney Section Supervisor from 2012 to 2015, and finally as a Chief Counsel from 2015 to 2017. Quinn has a wide area of focus, including the statutory and constitutional framework and federal and administrative regulations applicable to the operation of public agencies, litigation management, employment, real estate, trademark, copyright, intellectual property, ethics, contract and procurement, public records, open meetings, risk management, disability, discrimination, bankruptcy and collections.

Kaaren M. Williamsen, PhD, is Director of PEAR (Prevention, Education, Assistance & Resources) in the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office at the University of Michigan.  PEAR is a relatively new office focused on providing prevention and policy education for all employees, as well as by providing assistance to all 19 schools and colleges as they holistically respond to sexual misconduct in their communities.  Kaaren has also served as Director of SAPAC (Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center) at the University of Michigan.  Prior to U-M, she served as the Title IX Coordinator at Swarthmore College, and was the founding director of the Gender and Sexuality Center at Carleton College, where she also served as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Kaaren has a Phd in organizational leadership, policy, and development from the University of Minnesota, and her dissertation addressed the limitations of the traditional response to sexual misconduct and the possibilities of restorative justice.  She co-founded Campus PRISM (Promoting Restorative Initiatives for Sexual Misconduct) and is a restorative justice facilitator trainer and consultant. She is co-editor of the Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A guide to Emerging Practices published in 2023 from Routledge. 

Allison Wisniewski has been practicing restorative justice in higher education for over three decades. She has served students in various roles from program coordinator, assistant director, director, dean of students, and Title IX Coordinator at a large public system and minority serving institution. She holds multiple certifications in Title IX and conduct, along with sustained dialogue training. Adjudicating thousands of cases, Allison strongly believes that restorative justice can assist in the holistic development of communities.

Over the years, her most memorable and successful interactions with students have been through restorative justice practices. As a crisis responder, often witnessing students at their most vulnerable and most destructive, she was left with an array of emotions and feelings that were not tended to. It was only through the restorative justice process that, as the professional, she was also able to find closure. The restorative justice process is one of the few processes that provides a sense of clarity for those that are managing the process. Allison believes in the ability to be heard and healed not only for students but also for those serving in higher education roles.

Allison's current portfolio includes responsibilities as Campus Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator providing direct supervision and leadership to seven student-facing offices. Distinguished successes include: the creation of nine new offices to meet the changing needs of students, managed budgets upwards of $15 million, oversaw 300,000 sq ft residential facilities and 95,000 sq ft student and conference center both daily operations and renovation projects, assisted in the re-design and deployment of the general education requirements for three undergraduate schools and over 40 programs, ensured compliance with transfer and accreditation agreements, assisted in the creation of the Gender Studies Major with full faculty and Board of Governors approval, assisted with four different Middle States Accreditation processes, led and influenced teams comprised of various stakeholders across divisions with outstanding success achieving objectives, facilitated strategic action plans for departments and campus, and engaged collaboratively with all stake holders through a trauma-informed lens to enhance student success. Continuously highlighted in assessments is Allison's service and advocacy which illustrate her ability to manage diverse teams to achieve desired goals, with a noteworthy 92% employee retention rate across three different unions over two decades. Allison is a seasoned event planner of over 1,000 events from small intimate programs to festivals with over 50,000 of various diverse constituents ranging from student though executive level to public.

Allison has been involved with the academic success of our students both as an in-classroom and online instructor and administrator tasked to create a collaborative process to better academic offerings. Allison's work with student veterans generated an acknowledgment that significant issues with prior academic course work existed and through collaboration with the faculty senate, a policy was developed that provided credit for military service, review of Joint Services Transcript, and additional seamless transfer options. This work was recognized statewide and became known to state legislators, which yielded significant legislative action.

Allison has opportunities to create policy, make revisions, create programs, complete investigations, provide support measures for students within undergraduate, graduate, medical and law programs. She has also trained and supported faculty, staff and volunteer advocates, advisors, and investigators. She holds significant training and certifications in Title IX and ADA/504, including understanding legal ramifications, process, and higher education responsibilities along with case management, restorative justice, high profile cases, engaging with parents and families, and creating and disseminating information clearly and effectively. Notably, Allison served as the campus PI and administered multiple campus climate surveys recognized by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. The surveys provided an understanding of student experiences, the data from which was used to develop an action plan to improve the prevention of and response to interpersonal violence. Allison’s expertise assisted the university to receive a six year, federally funded Victims of Crime Act grant project, which focused on developing a comprehensive model to provide holistic support to all students.

Amy Zavadil, Ph.D., has more than 20 years' experience training and presenting. Amy has been an ATIXA Advisory Board member since 2014. She has served as a Title IX Coordinator and equity compliance officer and provided campus leadership addressing practices for attention to safety across all elements - physical, structural, fire & life, interpersonal and psychosocial - in a residential campus community. She continues to provide education and develop steps for culture shift to support inclusive organizational training and practices as a consultant.