Hilary is a family lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and dispute resolution teacher. Hilary is also the president of Riverdale Mediation Ltd. in Toronto. [email protected].
About Us
- mediate393 provides government-funded family mediation and information services in Toronto’s Superior Court of Justice (361 University Ave, ground floor) and two Ontario Courts of Justice (311 Jarvis St and 47 Sheppard Ave.).
- Our Program Coordinator and Administrator can be contacted at [email protected].
- Our Information and Referral Coordinators (IRCs) are qualified professionals with backgrounds either in social work or as mental health professionals.
Cindy Holovac Leithead
BA (Hons), M.C.A., Acc. FM, C.P.Med., WFA Director of Off-Site Mediation and Mediator-in-Training (MIT) Program
Cindy is an Accredited Family Mediator, a Child Protection Mediator on the Ontario Roster, and a Parenting Coordinator who also provides Circle Mediation and Counselling. Cindy draws on 25 years of experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds dealing with difficulties or disputes in or outside of the justice system. .
Cathi Wentworth
B.A., Acc. FM, CP Med. Director of On-site Mediation
Cathi is an Accredited Family Mediator and Child Protection Mediator. With Mediate 393 at the 311 Toronto courts, she provides Information and Referral Services, regularly presents MIPs and is a roster mediator. Cathi is an onsite and offsite mediator with both the Durham Mediation Centre in Oshawa and the Family Mediation Centre in London. In her private practice, Cathi offers comprehensive mediation services. .
Rhodes Thompson-Chase
Program Coordinator/IRC
Rhodes Thompson-Chase has been with mediate393 inc. for 5 years. In that time he has expanded his role from Administrative Assistant to Program Coordinator and IRC. Rhodes has experience in supporting LGBTQIA youth through his volunteer work. His education in law and gender studies has equipped him to train our roster on how to work from an anti-oppressive framework. Rhodes is passionate about access to justice for all and supporting clients with his expert knowledge on community services and resources. [email protected].
Alexandre Waterman
Program Manager
Alexandre is our Program Manager with a proven track record in optimizing operations and leading successful initiatives. Alexandre is passionate about Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and dedicated to achieving organizational excellence. Alexandre holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Project Management. Alexandre is actively pursuing a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate. [email protected].
Amelia Charles
Assistant Program Administrator
Amelia is the administrator's assistant working behind the scenes and keeping things in order. She is currently studying for her undergrad psychology degree at Toronto Metropolitan University. [email protected] .
Meet our Mediators and Information & Referral Coordinators:
English
Roland Campbell
(IRC)
Roland has recently completed Humber College’s Alternative Dispute Resolution post-graduate certificate program. He has over 10 years experience mentoring children, adults and families in nature, teaching a variety of skills including friction fire, wildlife tracking, shelter-building and bird language. He started to develop an interest in mediation and hone his conflict resolution skills while working on outdoor education programs, supporting participants as they navigated conflict. It is his experience working with children and families, in addition to being a child of divorce, that has led Roland to pursue a career in family mediation. He hopes to support families, and their children, as they navigate the challenging transition of separation in an effort to mitigate its impact and help focus the conversation on the best interests of the children involved. He is currently in the process of becoming an accredited family mediator.
Kingsley McCart
(IRC)
Kingsley is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. She has 15+ years of coaching experience related to divorce and other life transitions. With a passion for facilitating growth and resolving conflicts, Kingsley is currently training with Riverdale and Mediate393 to become an accredited family mediator. Committed to lifelong learning, Kingsley is constantly reading and refreshing her knowledge to master additional techniques in active listening, empathy and dispute resolution in diverse settings.
She aspires to assist families and children during the challenging process of separation by employing the most suitable and effective approach tailored to the unique needs of each family.
Joanna Harris
Acc. FM, LL.M., LL.B., B.A.
(Mediator)
Joanna Harris was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2006. She practised family law and child protection law for many years in private practice, prior to her current role as in-house counsel with the York Region Children’s Aid Society.
English, Hindi
Preeti Asthana
Acc. FM
(Mediator)
Preeti is an experienced social worker and an accredited family mediator. She has worked in social development programs for women and children. As an outreach coordinator, Preeti was involved in creating awareness of the family mediation program in the ethno-specific communities through information sessions, developed outreach strategies to promote awareness of family law sessions and parent education services Preeti has partnered and collaborated with a range of social services agencies to execute community initiatives, conferences and workshops. She has also delivered targeted information and parent education sessions on a regular basis in English and Hindi. In the past, Preeti has worked in the capacity of a monitoring and evaluation specialist with a funding agency and developed programs on issues such as child labour, orphanage, destitute girls and women empowerment.
English, French
Adrienne Lee
J.D., LL.B., Acc. FM.
(Mediator)
Adrienne Lee is a partner with Marchetti Lee LLP, a family law firm with offices in Burlington and Toronto. She is a lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, assisting clients through negotiation, mediation and court. She believes that while court is sometimes necessary to resolve family disputes, mediation offers most families ways to find creative solutions that will better fit their own individual circumstances.
English, Spanish
Raheena Dahya
LL.B., LL.M., FRDP-Med.
(Mediator)
Raheena is a family law, community, and civil mediator, with experience as a family and child protection lawyer. She is certified by the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO) as a family law mediator. She is also a School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology accredited civil mediator, St. Stephen’s Community House qualified community mediator, and a Harvard Law School (PON) certified advanced mediator in complex disputes.
Before Toronto became her home, Raheena studied and worked internationally, including in England, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, resulting in her keen understanding of intercultural dynamics, and enabling her to serve families with pluralistic perspectives and experiences.
Raheena takes on a variety of voluntary roles within the community. At present, she is serving as the Family Violence Chair for the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Ontario Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of the mediation. It broke down walls that were there for years and is the right step towards our future. Pamela and Raheena made this possible and mediate393.”
English, Urdu, Bengali, Gujerati and Hindi
Akbar Ebrahim
Acc. FM (OAFM) Ontario, Acc. M (CEDR) UK, B.Com, C.A. (Finalist), Certified Fraud Examiner (USA)
(Mediator)
Akbar Ebrahim is an Accredited Mediator and a Master Trainer certified by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), London, England in 2013 and accredited Family Mediator certified by the OAFM Ontario in 2014. Akbar was appointed by the His Highness Aga Khan on the Regional Conciliation and Arbitration Board (RCAB) for Ontario as Mediator in 1999. He served as Mediator for 6 years and in 2005 he was appointed Chairperson of the Board for 7 years until 2012. Akbar has mediated over 150 matrimonial, commercial and Wills/Estate related disputes and during his term as Chairperson of the Ontario RCAB, he managed over 400 cases. Akbar has travelled to India, Tanzania, Madagascar, U.S.A., Caribbean Island and within Canada with other international trainers faculty members and trained over 300 Mediators. Akbar also worked with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for over 30 years as an Internal Auditor and Manager, Fraud Awareness and Management.
“Akbar (our mediator) was very knowledgeable and he listened very well. He showed a lot of compassion and advised us of our options.”
English, French
Lindsay Kertland
BA, LLB, LLM, AccFM
(Mediator)
Lindsay is an Accredited Family Mediator with degrees from the University of London, King’s College (LL.M), University of Leeds (LL.B) and University of Western Ontario (BA). She lived in Montreal, Vancouver, the UK, and Asia before making Toronto her home. Prior to her mediation career, Lindsay’s diverse professional background included the investment business, intellectual property law and the not-for-profit sector. Lindsay has also undertaken many volunteer roles within her children’s schools and community associations. Together, this has culminated in a broad, open and unique perspective in her role as a mediator. She encourages self-determination, honours being heard, and facilitates participation and dialogue through non-judgment.
“Lindsay was great at helping to calm my anxiety and gave me ample time to think as well as breaks as needed. She is very kind, compassionate and well-mannered.”
English, Dari, Farsi
Zahra Khedri
B.A., B.C.L./LL.B. Acc. FM.
(Mediator)
Zahra is an Accredited Mediator (certified by the OAFM Ontario in 2015), a graduate of Kabul University, with a B.A. Degree in Law, and a graduate of McGill University, with a Degree in Civil and Common Law. In May 2006, Zahra was called to the Ontario Bar, where she practiced family law and immigration and refugee law as an associate with Kerr and Associates, and since 2011, as a sole practitioner. Zahra served as member and mediator with the Aga Khan Conciliation & Arbitration Board for Ontario from 2009 to 2015. Currently, Zahra is a member of the Aga Khan National Conciliation and Arbitration Board (2015-2018).
“The mediator was excellent at what she does. She’s very friendly, showed great concern and was approachable.”
English,French & Gujarati
Ali Liénaux
M.A.ED., ACC. FM, F.D.R.P. MED.
(Mediator)
Ali is a mental health practitioner and a college professor teaching social work, child development and parenting. He does research in cognitive mediation to inform his mediation practice.
Since 2002 he has been a Registered Social Worker, R.S.W.’ in Ontario. He does have more than 25 years professional experience in Canada. Ali also holds a Master of Arts in Education specialized in adult education and distance learning.
Ali’s specialities include mediation, relocation, trauma and recovery, multilingual and multicultural issues, addictions, and post-traumatic stress. Ali is also conducting training sessions in stress management, assertiveness, mental health, and wellness.
English
Hayley MacPhail
Acc. FM
(IRC)
Hayley MacPhail is an accredited mediator with the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. Hayley has worked as a Mediator and in Collaborative Law as a Neutral and Child and parenting Specialist for 15 years. Hayley has a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto in Counselling Psychology and is a trained Mental Health Worker. Her undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Work specializes in child development, behaviour and family dynamics.
English, French
Angela Pickard
MSW, RSW, Ph.D(c), Acc. FM
(Mediator)
Angela is an Accredited Family Mediator, registered Social Worker, and Researcher. She is the Principal Mediator at Reach Mediation Inc. Angela is pursuing a doctoral program in Public Health specializing in Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Toronto. She focuses her practice and research on parents who struggle with conflict during and after separation/divorce, the impact of mental health on well-being, and experience of mediation services.
“Angela is a professional mediator. I very much like working with her.”
English, Hindi, Tamil
Leena Leva Kumar
B.A., LL.B, Acc. FM
(Mediator)
Leena is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and trained with Riverdale Mediation and Mediate393. She received a Certificate in Family Mediation from York University. Leena also practices Family Law and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2013.
Mediation saves time and resources by finding solutions and building trust. Leena’s method of mediation is compassionate and resolution-focused.
In addition to English, Leena speaks Hindi and Tamil.
English, French
Avagene Skervin
B.A, LLB, Acc. FM, NP
(Mediator)
Avagene is a family law lawyer, certified family mediator and notary public.
She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005 and has practised exclusively in family law for the last 16 years.
Avagene holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in French (Honours) as well as a French Business Certificate issued by the Chambre of Commerce and Industry of Paris.
Avagene is the founder of Skervin Law, a family law firm in Mississauga, Ontario. She promotes the resolution of family law issues including decision-making responsibility, parenting time, support and property, through a variety of alternate dispute resolution processes. She is also a member of the Ontario Family Law Limited Scope Services Project and a Dispute Resolution Officer with the Superior Court of Justice, Kitchener.
Avagene serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO).
English
Kayla Stephenson
(IRC)
Kayla Stephenson is an Adjudicator, Qualified Mediator and Arbitrator with a specialty in Family Law. Kayla is the owner of Kaye Legal & Mediation Services that has been in operation since 2016. Kayla has a Paralegal educational background and has Certificates from Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development, as well as Judicial and Administrative Tribunal Competencies from the Ontario Bar Association.
Kayla is a part-time Adjudicator appointed to boards, Municipalities and Tribunals in the Government of Ontario. Kayla has over 17 years of experience in the legal field, and of those years, 9 of them Kayla was employed by the Ministry of Attorney General, in various roles.
Kayla`s volunteer work includes being a board member of FDRIO and sitting on a Youth Justice Committee panel for the Boys & Girls Club of Durham. Kayla also chairs the board of a legal clinic in the GTA. Kayla is an Executive Member of the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario (ACLCO). Kayla is also Co-Chair of the Race Equity and Advisory Committee of the ACLCO. Kayla is a member of ADRIO, FDRIO, OAFM, FMC, Ontario Bar Association and SOAR. Kayla has a passion for equity, social justice, advocacy, and access to justice.
English, Farsi
Borzou Tabrizi
B.A., J.D., Acc. FM.
(Mediator)
Borzou graduated from York University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is a family lawyer, Accredited Family Mediator and founder of B. Tabrizi Law P.C. in Toronto. Borzou mediates a variety of family-related issues and is committed to helping families resolve financial and parenting issues out of court in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Borzou is a natural problem solver and his approach encourages parties to discuss issues safely, with a forward-looking view that is always child-centric. Borzou is an onsite mediator with mediate393 and is a member of the Ontario Association of Family Mediators and the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario.
“I was fortunate enough to have a mediation facilitated by Borzou Tabrizi. An exceptional person and I value his help exponentially.”
English and Russian
Victoria Tundo
J.D., LLB, Acc. FM
(Mediator)
Victoria is an experienced family law lawyer and an accredited mediator. Victoria mediates all family law issues including parenting, property division, support and all related issues. Victoria brings both her compassion and comprehensive knowledge of Family Law to each mediation, and strives to facilitate a solution-focused, respectful discourse.
Rola Mustafa
LLM, MBA, Q.Med
(IRC)
Rola Mustafa has an accreditation in mediation from the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution based in London, UK. She is a global MBA holder and studied dispute resolution as part of her LLM in International Law at the City University of London. Witnessing intercultural challenges within diverse Canadian communities, she pursued additional studies in intercultural communication at the University of British Columbia. This academic pursuit reflects her commitment to contributing actively to the advancement of justice, equity, and inclusion within Canadian society.
She is a global trainer in her field and has conducted training in Syria and Canada in both Arabic and English. Rola is certified specialist in family mediation by The Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario – FDRIO. Rola has been certified as a mediator by Family Mediation Canada and she has been accredited by the ADR Institute of Canada. She worked as a Paralegal with a divorce firm in Alberta before moving to Ontario.
Rola Mustafa values being part of a community and spent her free time in Syria volunteering as a mediator for the Ismaili Conciliation and Arbitration Board. Since she moved to Canada, she has been volunteering as a mediator with St. Stephen Community House, Catholic Cross-Cultural Service, the Ismaili Conciliation Arbitration Board, Islamic Family and Social Services Association and Canadian Council for Muslim Women.
English, French, Spanish
Natalia Crowe
B.A.(Hons.), J.D., M.E.S., Acc.FM
(Mediator)
Natalia Crowe is a family lawyer and child protection lawyer, who was called to the Ontario Bar in 2015. She has extensive experience litigating and negotiating on behalf of clients at Case Conferences, Settlements Conferences, Trial Management Conferences and Motions. Natalia currently sits on the 311 Jarvis Courthouse Indigenous Child Working Committee and has represented clients at mediation circles at Aboriginal Legal Services.
In law school, Natalia interned at the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto as well as interned at the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington, DC, during her semester in the Osgoode Indigenous Intensive Program in Lands, Resources and Governments.
Natalia is Aztec-Pipil/Mayan Indigenous from Kuskatan/El Salvador on her mother’s side and Scot/Irish Canadian on her father’s side. As someone who identities as both Indigenous and settler, she is grateful to be living and working on the traditional and ancestral territories of the Mississaugas, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. Natalia is fluent in English and has intermediate fluency in Spanish and in French.
Family Law Information Centres (FLIC)
You can learn much more about available services, mediation, court process, separation, divorce and the law by visiting us at one of our Family Law Information Centres (FLIC).