Elissa D. Barrett serves as Executive Director of Western Justice Center. She brings decades of experience advancing justice and equity — from securing tenant protections and leading reparations efforts for Holocaust survivors to directing legal and pro bono programs. She holds a law degree from the University of Michigan and a BA from Tufts University.

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Farrah Fazal is a nine-time Emmy award-winning journalist, producer, and director known for her work in conflict zones and for telling the stories of marginalized and voiceless people. She previously worked as an investigative journalist for KSDK in St. Louis, and has reported from places like Syria, Somalia, and Pakistan.

Check back in December 2025 for more information.

After receiving her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications, Allyson obtained her J.D. and a Masters in Communications Management from the University of Southern California.  Whether working as an attorney at a law firm, in roles at Mattel as a paralegal and Pro Bono Coordinator, or in various leadership roles in community organizations, Allyson enjoys discovering new ways to use and improve her communication and conflict resolution skills.  She has served as a mediation mentor for the Western Justice Center for three years and values the experience of working with young students and future leaders.

Andrew Vogel is Senior Environmental Counsel at Southern California Gas Company. He advises SoCalGas on a variety on compliance and permitting matters in areas including air quality, water quality, CEQA, the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts, land use, the California Coastal Act, and local city and county law. He also represents SoCalGas in litigation involving the California Coastal Act. Andrew previously worked for the California Department of Justice, first as a Deputy Attorney General and then as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the Office's Land Use and Conservation Section. Before that, he practiced business litigation as an associate and then a partner at Gaims, Weil, West & Epstein, LLP.

Andrew previously volunteered at the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office's Dispute Resolution Services and has completed dispute resolution training through the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office mediation training program as well as the International Ombudsman Association's Ombuds 101 Program. Andrew has volunteered multiple times, and thoroughly enjoyed his experience, as a Mediation Mentor at the Western Justice Center's Peer Mediation Invitational.

Capri Maddox is the Executive Director of the newly established LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity (LA Civil Rights). Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed Ms. Maddox to the position in February 2020 to address systemic racism and bias in the areas of commerce, education, employment, and housing.

Under Ms. Maddox’s leadership, LA Civil Rights will combat hate crimes and level the playing field through partnerships with the Commission on Civil Rights, Commission on the Status of Women and the Human Relations Commission, including the Transgender Advisory Council.

Previously, Ms. Maddox served as Senior Advisor to City Attorney Michael N. Feuer. In that role, she was responsible for leading Special Projects on behalf of the elected City Attorney, such as: spearheading the City Attorney Business Support Program, creating the Foster Care Diversion Program, organizing the City Attorney Faith-Based Council, overseeing recruitment and outreach efforts, addressing key Neighborhood Council and City Council requests, participating in criminal and civil cases, and coordinating school safety projects with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

During the 2018-2019 school year, Ms. Maddox served as Executive Director of Partnerships for LAUSD on a loan from the Office of the City Attorney to Southern California Grantmakers. During this one-year assignment, she assisted LAUSD in acquiring over $43 million dollars in resources for students in need and led several equity-based initiatives.

Ms. Maddox also served as the President of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, as a Mayor Villaraigosa appointee. In this role, she managed 5,000 employees and an annual budget of $1.8 billion dollars to deliver basic infrastructure services to City residents. Before joining the Board of Public Works, Ms. Maddox served as a Deputy City Attorney in the following assignments: General Counsel Group - Neighborhood Empowerment, Complex Litigation, Neighborhood Prosecutor Program – LAPD’s Wilshire Station, and Central Trials – Criminal Branch. Prior to her legal career, she worked as a Community Development and Housing Analyst with the City of Glendale, and Earthquake Recovery Project Manager with the Los Angeles Housing Department.

Ms. Maddox has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California. Ms. Maddox also completed the USC Lusk Center’s Minorities in Real Estate Development Program. She continues her involvement with many higher educational institutions, including mentoring students at numerous universities and serving as a California State University, Los Angeles President’s Council Member. Ms. Maddox is also a proud member of the Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) Board of Trustees – SCPR locally broadcasts on KPCC 89.3 FM.

Ms. Maddox is a member of First AME Church – Los Angeles, where she serves in both political and social ministries. In her spare time, she serves as a youth mentor with numerous community organizations and enjoys working on public interest projects. She resides in Los Angeles County with her husband, Kerman, and fourteen-year-old son.

Dedicated health care attorney with over 15 years of experience representing health plans in high stakes matters and assisting clients in successfully navigating regulatory disputes including by proactively identifying regulatory challenges, and suggesting and implementing process redesign in order to reduce both litigation and regulatory compliance risks.

Gregory Mann (he/him) joined the Civil Rights Department (CRD) as an attorney in 2009 and moved into the Dispute Resolution Division as a Senior Attorney Mediator in 2022. He has mediated, investigated, and litigated cases involving hate incidents and discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations in state and federal courts. As primary counsel, he mediated and settled many dozens of civil cases and administrative matters, including cases involving K-12th grade school communities. Gregory has extensive experience using alternative dispute resolution techniques to resolve litigated cases and address community conflict. He earned mediator training certificates from Pepperdine’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the Loyola Law School Center for Conflict Resolution, and the American Institute of Mediation. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and earned his Bachelor degree in economics and sociology/anthropology from DePauw University. Gregory recognizes that litigation has its limits, especially as a tool to manage and resolve community conflict. Thus, he is excited to assist litigants in resolving disputes and to apply dispute resolution principles and conciliation techniques to assist communities in managing conflict.

Heather Anderson is Vice President, Original Content and Business Affairs for ESPN.

She shifted from programming to content to lead business affairs for original content and Andscape, applying her legal experience into the role. In this role, she assists the creative teams that bring ESPN’s engaging content to life, such as the 30 for 30 series, In the Arena series, and ESPN Films. Heather also oversees ESPN’s integrated planning, leading the development of a team dedicated to the enhanced optimization of Original Content IP across ESPN and Disney.

Anderson has worked as an entertainment and technology attorney for 25 years and joined ESPN in October 2021 as vice president, programming and acquisitions. In this role, she worked with Mike Morrison, vice president, sports betting and fantasy and is the primary point of contact between programming and original content and ESPN content strategy and the office of the chairman. This streamlines communication with the content strategy team related to large, multi-sport opportunities and audience expansion initiatives. She also played a similar role acting as a liaison between programming and original content and business development and innovation on ESPN Edge, sports betting, work on The Undefeated and more. 

Anderson came to ESPN from The Walt Disney Company, which she joined in 2013 as associate principal counsel, serving as a digital media, product and technology attorney. As vice president and assistant chief counsel since January 2020, she led a team specializing in supporting products such as mobile apps, websites, vertical video games, and interactive connected and VR experiences. This includes supporting DMED Technology teams for Consumer Experiences and Platforms, Design, Studio Technology and Studio Operations. Her responsibilities included supporting 150 digital products ranging from the ABC, ABC News, ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic and DisneyNow mobile apps and websites, to Disney.com, Starwars.com and technology for Disney+ and Hulu.  She also has practiced as a Disney TV and short-form production attorney.   

While at Disney, Anderson has been very active in DEI efforts. She is the co-founder, Chair Emeritus and Advisor of the Black Business and Employee Resource Group on Disney’s Glendale campus, leading a membership of approximately 500 employees. She also was a founding member and former steering committee member of the Disney Lawyers of Color (DLOC). In addition, she was the interim Executive Sponsor of CARE (TWDC’s Christian Employee Resource Group) and a founding member of WILD (Women in the Legal Department), as well as an executive advisor to Women@Disney and a member of Mas+ (the Hispanic Business and Employee Resource Group in Glendale). Anderson also serves on the Television Academy’s Diversity Council and the Council On Access and Fairness (COAF) for the State Bar of California.  

Before Disney, Anderson was an attorney in the Business and Legal Affairs department of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, handling multi-million-dollar recording, production and license agreements for high profile IGA artists. Prior to joining Interscope, she was senior counsel in the Intellectual Property department at Fox, handling copyright and trademark issues for all of the Fox companies worldwide. 

Consecutively with her time at Fox, Anderson owned and operated Good Girl Entertainment – her music law practice, artist management company and independent record label – stemming from her desire to assist other artists after her time as an aspiring singer and rapper in middle school, high school and college.  

Anderson began her career as a litigator at Thelen Reid & Priest LLP.  

Anderson received dual bachelor of arts degrees in political science and ethnic studies from the University of California at Berkeley and her law degree with a concentration in Intellectual Property and Entertainment law from the UCLA School of Law. 

Philip E. Cook, Esq. brings over three decades of trial and dispute resolution experience to his work as a mediator, arbitrator and court-appointed neutral. Mr. Cook focuses on mediating business-to-business disputes; intellectual property (patent, copyright and trademark); insurance coverage and bad faith; class actions; employment, discrimination and civil rights claims; and securities litigation, corporate governance and partnership disputes. Known for his strategic insight, deep legal knowledge and balanced approach, he has helped parties settle hundreds of high-stakes matters—from individual claims to multi‑party commercial disputes and class actions.

Before joining JAMS in 2025, Mr. Cook spent a decade as an independent mediator and litigator, founding both Cook Mediation and The Cook Law Firm, and devoting an increasing portion of his trial practice to mediating litigated disputes. Earlier, as a partner at Jones Day, he had a multistate trial practice that involved a broad array of business and public law issues. As a mediator, Mr. Cook draws deeply on his experience as a courtroom advocate to deliver clarity and perspective when helping parties craft pragmatic, durable settlements.

Mr. Cook has been appointed as a mediator and early neutral evaluator in state and federal courts, and has served as a Temporary Judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He is a former federal judicial clerk and began his legal career following a successful run in the technology and consumer electronics sectors.

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, and ALM Media, Mr. Cook has earned wide respect for both his legal acumen and his leadership. He is a Past President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and continues to serve the bar through the Los Angeles County Bar Association Litigation Section. A dedicated advocate for access to justice, he has received numerous awards for his pro bono service, including honors from Public Counsel, where he served as Board Chair. Beyond his practice, Mr. Cook is a sought-after educator, frequently teaching as a CLE faculty member and adjunct law professor on subjects ranging from mediation advocacy and civil procedure to trial practice, deposition skills and oral advocacy.

Shaphan Roberts, an accomplished leader in conflict resolution and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, has reached a major academic milestone with the successful defense of his doctoral dissertation. His cutting-edge research, titled The Aftermath of Civil Unrest: Insights into Community Trust, Hope, and Perceptions of Police, provides a pioneering exploration of the effects of large-scale civil unrest on community hope, trust, and perceptions of law enforcement. Utilizing content analysis, Roberts unveils the patterns and narratives that shape these crucial relationships over time, offering profound insights into the challenges and opportunities for rebuilding community trust in the wake of civil unrest.

Roberts, currently serving as senior director for strategic initiatives and global expansion at the Straus Institute, is widely recognized for his transformative contributions to the field of dispute resolution. He has consistently demonstrated a visionary approach to conflict management, particularly in fostering collaboration between historically divided groups—most notably, law enforcement and the communities they serve. Drawing on his experience as the former director of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Dispute Resolution Program, Roberts has played a pivotal role in reshaping how communities and law enforcement interact, develop trust, and resolve conflicts.

His leadership in the "Beyond the Dialogue" initiative underscores his deep commitment to bridging divides between police officers and local residents. This initiative provides law enforcement and community members with transformative mediation and de-escalation training, creating a lasting framework for trust-building and meaningful, sustainable dialogue. Roberts' innovative approach in blending skills-based training with direct, honest conversation is widely regarded as a model for conflict resolution in polarized communities.

Dr. Roberts earned his doctorate in Business Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, further solidifying his expertise at the intersection of human behavior, leadership, and conflict resolution. His dissertation marks not just an academic achievement, but a testament to his dedication to advancing scholarship in bridge-building, community engagement, and conflict resolution at Pepperdine University and beyond.

With his combination of academic rigor, practical experience, and leadership, Roberts continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in creating resilient, trust-based community relationships in even the most challenging environments.

Shari is in-house lawyer at Mattel, which means my bosses are Barbie, He-Man (Masters of the Universe), Thomas the Tank Engine, Polly Pocket, Barney, and many other Mattel-owned brands.  My primary role is to represent Mattel and its brands in lawsuits and other disputes, which means conflict is inevitable in my job.  As we try to negotiate favorable resolutions whenever disputes arise, my training as a mediator comes in very handy.  No matter the conflict, it is always in everyone’s best interests to resolve it amicably.  When parties come up with their own resolution, they can explore creative solutions that courts can’t provide, which is often a win for everyone!

My work with WJC allows me to put my negotiation and mediation skills to good use.  It brings me great joy to share these skills with a new generation of future leaders, such as our PMI participants.  I’m looking forward to meeting as many of you as I can and sharing my experiences in the hope they will inspire you to pursue opportunities and careers where you can continue to develop the conflict resolution skills you are learning from WJC. 

Christian Flagg is the Director of Training at Community Coalition in Los Angeles, where he oversees youth development and school-climate initiatives aimed at transforming safety, belonging and restorative practices across South LA.

His work emphasizes youth voice, grassroots organizing and strengthening school communities so that every young person can see themselves as a change-maker.

Pastiche Queen (They/Them) is a non-binary Latindigenous, interdisciplinary performance artist from Denver, CO, currently based in Hollywood, CA. With a BA in Politics focused on Queer Theory, a BA in Theater concentrating on Playwriting and Directing from Whitman College; and an MFA in Performance from The Stella Adler Art of Acting Professional Conservatory, Pastiche brings a richly informed and unique perspective to their craft. Their work is celebrated for uplifting minority voices and reimagining texts with fresh, transformative interpretations that resonate deeply with diverse audiences.

Known for their groundbreaking approach as both a playwright and director, Pastiche has been featured on AppleTV’s “Dear: Viola Davis” and Facebook’s “Queer Community Leaders of Color Initiative.” Their recent one-person show, “Level One Gygax: The D&D Solo Show,” originally developed through the REDCAT Artist-in-Residency Program in 2022, garnered The Theatricum Botanicum Wordsmith Award for Advancing The Artform of Storytelling and multiple Producers' Encore Awards.

In the slam poetry scene, Pastiche has won multiple individual championship titles in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Washington DC, and New York City. Pastiche is also a proud member of the West Hollywood Slam Team, which has achieved multiple championship titles on both national and local levels.

Alex Alpharaoh is a nationally recognized, formerly undocumented Guatemalan-American actor, writer, poet, solo performer, and teaching artist from Los Angeles, C.A. He is a 2022 Disruptors TV Writers Fellow, a 2023-2024 Reclaiming the Border Narrative Project fellow, a 2023 NEXT Commissions fellow for Antaeus Theatre Company, and a 2023-2024 Musical Theatre Factory Writer’s fellow. His autobiographical Solo show titled WET: A DACAmented Journey, earned him the 2018 L.A. Drama Critics Circle award for best solo performance, as well as recognition in 2023 by Los Angeles’ Stage Raw Awards. WET was published as part of the “Seeking Common Ground: Latinx and Latin American Theatre and Performance” anthology.

His spoken word ode to his beloved Los Angeles and Shakespeare titled, “O-Dogg: An Angeleno Take on Othello”, has been workshopped at A Noise Within’s NOW Festival, Garry Marshall’s New Works Festival, REDCAT New Works Festival, EST/LA’s Winterfest, and a Virtual Reality experience featuring Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, was part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s inaugural festival called Quillfest. O-Dogg was also featured in Carla Della Gatta’s “Latinx Shakespeare’s, Staging U.S. Intercultural Theater”. His latest classic adaptation, R&J: Rolling Through East L.A. was produced by Cholavision Productions as a workshop premiere for his No Fronts Actors Workshop, which he leads as founder and lead instructor. Alpharaoh’s first poetry book titled

Rev. Dr. Rob Muthiah brings over 25 years of experience in education, ministry, and activism to CLUE.

Rob worked as a professor of practical theology at Azusa Pacific Seminary for 16 years, where his teaching and research focused on leadership in faith-based communities, ethics, and personal formation. He also directed the school’s field education program, in which all seminary students participated.

He holds a Ph.D. in practical theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and an M.Div. from Northern Seminary. He is ordained through the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference of the Mennonite Church USA and has been an active member of Pasadena Mennonite Church for over 20 years.

Rob is passionate about justice issues and has extensive experience advocating for affordable housing, hunger-reduction legislation, and racial justice.  

In his free time, he enjoys native plant and vegetable gardening, running and mountain biking in the local mountains, and reading. Rob and his wife, Lisa, have three adult children.

Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory supports and advocates for diversity in the creative arts, media, and technology industries. To create workforces that are inclusive and reflective of Los Angeles in ethnicity, age, gender, social/economic status and one that removes the barriers for our most historically excluded communities. We are led by the guiding principles of Workforce Development, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Trauma-Informed Healing-Centered Arts-Based Engagement, and Self-Care.