Center for Dispute SettlementCDS Principals
Linda R. Singer, President
Ms. Singer is a mediator, arbitrator, lawyer, teacher, and author and has been president of the Center for Dispute Settlement since 1971. She also is a principal in JAMS, the Resolution Experts. Through the years, she has maintained an active mediation practice, while training thousands of professionals, students, and volunteers worldwide in mediation and negotiation skills. Ms. Singer co-teaches the Mediation Workshop at Harvard Law School's Program of Instruction for Lawyers and trains mediators for the CPR Insitute for Dispute Resolution.
Edna A. Povich, Vice President
Ms. Povich is a mediator, facilitator, trainer, program director and systems designer. She has worked for the Center for Dispute Settlement since 1984. Ms. Povich has helped resolve disputes for business partners; employees and employers; developers, community, and government representatives; divorcing couples; parents and teenagers; and neighbors. As a lead trainer for CDS, Ms. Povich has provided training in mediation, negotiation, and systems design for organizations and government agencies. Ms. Povich has designed mediation and dispute resolution programs nationally and internationally.
Michael K. Lewis, Senior Associate
Mr. Lewis, senior associate of the Center for Dispute Settlement and principal in JAMS, the Resolution Experts, is a mediator, arbitrator, teacher, and lawyer. Mr. Lewis has mediated a variety of disputes involving commercial, public policy, and interpersonal issues. His mediation skills have been featured on television and instructional videotapes. He has trained thousands worldwide in mediation and negotiation techniques, including co-teaching at Harvard Law School's Mediation Workshop and trains mediators for the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution.
CDS Staff
Melinda Selden, Manager of Finance and Benefits
Ms. Selden received her undergraduate degree from Queens College and her graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Since graduation, she has worked in the fields of education, finance, human resources and administration. She taught at secondary and college level institutions before concentrating on for-profit and non-profit organizations. In 1992 she joined the staff of the Center for Dispute Settlement as the Manager of Finance and Benefits.
Kalee Bacon, Program Coordinator
Ms. Bacon is a trained mediator who works with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia on the Community Misdemeanor Mediation Service program and the District of Columbia on the Office of Police Complaints’ mediation program. Ms. Bacon also organizes CDS’s bi-annual mediation training. Prior to CDS, Ms. Bacon worked as Mediation Services Case Coordinator for court referred family mediations at the Community Mediation Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is a member of the Association of Conflict Resolution. Ms. Bacon earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University.