Oakland Bay Bridge

Board & Staff

SEEDS Board of Directors

 

Board of Directors 2011
Front row: Nina Senn (President), Linda Taga, Elizabeth Riles (Secretary), Shar Etebar (Executive Director)
Back row: Howard McKoy, Sharon Sims-Leedie (Vice President), Lita Dotson
Not pictured: Diana Gray (Treasurer), Greg Leventis, Nettie Pardue

 

Diana L. Gray, Treasurer

Diana has been at Oracle since March 2005, where she oversees the planning and defining of the long term product roadmap for Fusion Expenses. She has more than 15 years experience within the technology industry, with a strong focus on product strategy and management.  Prior to Oracle, Diana was a Senior Strategy Manager of enterprise expense management applications for PeopleSoft, Inc., where she was responsible for all product management activities and driving increased revenues for three products.

Diana holds a Bachelor of Art degree in History from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has been a SEEDS Board Member since 2009.

 

Greg Leventis

Before moving to the Bay Area to attend graduate school, Greg was the Chief of Staff at Tanenbaum, A New York City-based non-profit that addresses inter-faith conflict.   In that position, he worked with peace activists from around the world, assisting in the production of international conferences and coordinating responses to violent conflicts around the world. 

Greg is an International Energy Analyst for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).  He currently lives and works in Mexico City, working on LBNL efforts there and in other countries.  Greg has been a SEEDS Board Member since 2009 and has been a volunteer mediator for SEEDS since 2008.

 

Howard McKoy

Howard is a Senior Sourcing Consultant/Engagement Leader (Sourcing & Governance Services) at TPI, Inc.  He brings over 20 years of experience building successful organizations and providing IT service delivery solutions at a reduced cost with increased operational efficiencies.  He is an accomplished dynamic information technology (IT) professional, and is adept at implementing large-scale infrastructure projects and business process improvements for on-shore and offshore initiatives.   Prior to TPI, Howard has held senior leadership positions in eVoice, Safeway and Washington Mutual Card Services focusing on vendor management, strategy, strategic sourcing and IT Infrastructure.

Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Seton Hall University and a Masters in Business Administration in Marketing from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He is also certified in Mediation with advanced training in Negotiations, Situational Leadership and Critical Thinking.

 

Nettie Pardue

Nettie has worked in experiential education programs for over 14 years with Outward Bound, The United World College, Adventure Associates, and the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding, among others.  She is experienced as a facilitator, mediator, instructor, guide, trainer and coach.  Nettie spent 3 years as Program manager at SEEDS Community Resolution Center where she was a lead trainer in mediation, facilitation, conflict resolution and diversity trainings. For the last 3 years Nettie has been working with emerging leaders from the Middle East and her current position is Director of Programs at the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding.  She has presented several times at the (IAF) International Association for Facilitator’s conference as well as the(AEE) Association for Experiential Education annual conference.

Nettie has a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University/Leadership Institute of Seattle and is certified as a somatic coach.  As a Board Member Nettie brings first hand program knowledge, good working relationships with staff andvolunteers as well as experience in the conflict resolution field on a local and international level that she can leverage in her service to SEEDS.

 

Elizabeth Riles, Secretary

Elizabeth is the managing partner at Bohbot & Riles, a woman-owned firm in Oakland, California.  She has been practicing law for the last 11 years. She specializes in human resource consulting and mediation. Additionally, she has successfully represented employees against a wide variety of businesses and government entities, in matters of discrimination, cases of sexual and racial harassment, retaliation, whistle-blowing, and wrongful termination. 

Elizabeth holds a J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. from Stanford University.  She is also a mediator for the SEEDS small claims court program.

 

Nina Senn, President

Nina has been a Senior Corporate Counsel at Blackhawk Network, Inc. (a subsidiary of Safeway Inc.) since 2006 where she has handled a variety of legal matters (particularly in online and social networking areas) and contract negotiations in the U.S. and Europe.  Prior to joining Blackhawk, she was the Head of Legal for a multi-billion dollar global business unit of DHL.  Nina spent five years with DHL working in DHL's international headquarters in Brussels and over the course of her ten-year tenure with DHL negotiated agreements with global companies all over the world.  Prior to her work at DHL, Nina managed a team of agents in IBM’s Marketing and Sales Division specializing in new and growing organizations/businesses.

Nina holds a J.D. and a High Technology Law Certificate from Santa Clara University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley.   She has held various volunteer positions at SEEDS since 2005:  Board Member, Restorative Justice Working Group Member, Case Manager and Mediator (small claims and community mediations).   Nina also volunteers at her children's public school in a variety of capacities, referees U8 soccer and coached a U6 girls soccer team where she has introduced the use of circles and "talking pieces."

 

Sharon Sims-Leedie, Vice President

Sharon is a Senior Learning Consultant at Kaiser Permanente where she provides leadership, facilitation and consultation to labor and management project teams, engaged in performance improvement. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, she worked for a multi-billion dollar insurance company for twenty years as a Senior Internal Auditor and a Leadership Training Consultant.

Sharon holds an MBA from John F. Kennedy University and a B.A. from San Francisco State University.  She has been volunteering as a Board member and Facilitator Skills Trainer for SEEDS for over three years. Sharon also serves on numerous committees in her church.

 

Linda Taga

Linda has held Sr. Director and Vice President roles in the areas of Strategic Alliances and International Business Development/Sales and Marketing for technology companies in the Silicon Valley. She handled a variety of activities, focusing on contract negotiation, strategy, business development and fund raising. Previously, Linda lived in Europe and Asia developing and negotiating partnerships, opening an international subsidiary and improving communication channels between culturally diverse organizations in different country subsidiaries. Linda works on development for Girls to Women, an after school and summer program in East Palo Alto. She is Co-Chairperson for a non-profit cultural summer program in Palo Alto and volunteers for a non-profit girls AAU basketball team. She has also volunteered at the Asian Law Alliance and Office of Thrift Supervision.

Linda holds a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law. She has a B.A. Asian American Studies and a B.A. in Mass Communications from the U.C. Berkeley. She is also a certified Mediator.

SEEDS Staff

 

Lisa AbreguLisa Abregu, Restorative Justice Schools Manager
firstname@seedscrc.org

Before moving to California Lisa Abregu was running trainings in conflict resolution to NGOs, women’s groups, former child soldiers and teachers at a refugee camp in Ghana. She was also teaching peace building through art to second generational refugees. Since then she has been a mediator at United for Success and Peralta Creek middle schools in Oakland and the restorative justice coordinator at Longfellow middle school in Berkeley. Lisa has been working with SEEDS since she arrived to the bay area in 2008. She also works with couples and families on her own time.

Lisa got her B.S at the University of Vermont in Environmental Studies and Community Development & Studio Art.  Then continued to get her Masters in International Relations at Queensland University in Australia with a focus on conflict resolution and peace building. Soon after she went to the European Peace University to get a graduate certificate in peace building and conflict resolution.

 

Jonathan BradleyJonathan Bradley, Restorative Justice Outreach Coordinator
firstname@seedscrc.org

Jonathan Bradley has been a practicing mediator for since 1994, when he began working with Berkeley Dispute Resolution Service (now SEEDS), conducting community mediations, facilitating discussions for churches, community centers and co- housing groups. He has extensive training in Mediation and Restorative Justice.  He is currently acting as the Community Liaison for the SEEDS Restorative Justice program centered on the Longfellow Middle School in South Berkeley. He also works as an Assistant Site Manager for a Beacon Afterschool Program in San Francisco, which provides well-structured choices of afterschool educational and enrichment programs.

Jonathan has specialized in working with youth, implementing peer mediation programs through the Oakland Unified School District in several East and West Oakland Middle Schools as a Peer Mediation Consultant, and for the Alameda County Office of Education where he served as a Student Family Advocate with an emphasis on Truancy Reduction, researching the root causes of truancy and identifying resources for families of Frick Middle School in East Oakland. He has also worked with foster youth for six years as a residential counselor for the Fred Finch Youth Center.

 

Janis BrewerJanis Brewer, Interim Executive Director
firstname@seedscrc.org

Janis Brewer has over 23 years experience in the Bay Area nonprofit community, most recently as an organizational development consultant and as a provider of interim executive management services for many local nonprofits of all sizes. She has also been an executive director of a large national health nonprofit based in San Francisco.

Originally from the Midwest, Janis has lived in the Bay Area since 1975 and received her undergraduate fine arts degree from California College of the Arts and her MBA from Golden Gate University.

As Interim Executive Director, Janis will oversee SEEDS' day-to-day operations and ensure that its services continue to be delivered in a consistent and professional manner.

 

Shar EtebarShar Etebar, Executive Director
firstname@seedscrc.org

Shar Etebar, Executive Director, has been associated with all three of SEEDS’ root programs in various capacities over the past 19 years. While in college, Shar discovered his passion and calling in conflict resolution at Berkeley Dispute Resolution Services (BDRS), where he volunteered as mediator, trainer, and six-year Board member. In 1993, Shar joined the staff of Conciliation Forums of Oakland (CFO), serving as mediation case manager and training coordinator, before transitioning to BDRS as program director in 1998. Shar also had the privilege of serving on occasion as an administrative hearing officer for Mediation Services in Hayward and Fremont. In 2004, Shar became executive director after shepherding the collaborative merger of the Berkeley and Oakland programs--and the subsequent integration of Mediation Services—into what has now become SEEDS Community Resolution Center.

Shar has a B.A. in Peace and Conflicts Studies from UC Berkeley, and a J.D. from Golden Gate University Law School. He is an active member of the Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California (ADRNC) and is recent Past President of the Board of that organization. Shar is bicultural, with strong ties to both his Persian and “Southern” heritage.His personal interests include travel, camping, movies, theater and playing any and all types of games!

 

Barbara LipsonBarbara Lipson, Community Mediation & Facilitation Programs Manager
firstname@seedscrc.org

Barbara Lipson is a certified mediator and has been practicing since 2006.  She started volunteering with SEEDS in 2008 as a case manager, mediator, facilitator and training coach. In 2010, she happily joined the team as the manager of the facilitation and training programs and currently holds the position of Community Mediation and Facilitation Program Manager. Before joining SEEDS , Barbara had her own business providing mediation, facilitation and training for individuals and organizations. She has experience working with schools, spiritual communities, courts, businesses, and public agencies.

Barbara has lived in the East Bay since 1988.  She is an artist (specializing in portraiture) and enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters.

 

Adriana Solis LopezAdriana Solis Lopez, Fund Development & Communications Manager
firstname@seedscrc.org

Adriana Solis Lopez, Fund Development & Communications Manager, has been part of the SEEDS family since 2008 when she relocated to the Bay Area.  Previously, she worked in the for-profit industry managing administration for large-scale distributors. Ms. Lopez became highly interested in alternative dispute resolution practices soon after joining the SEEDS team and became a trained community mediator in 2009.  Initially, her role at SEEDS was primarily centered on re-structuring the organization’s reporting system and taking on a variety of fund development related projects, along with volunteering as a mediator.  In 2010, Ms. Lopez assumed the role she is in today.

Ms. Lopez is originally from Southeast Los Angeles. She attended East Los Angeles College and transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.A. in history in 2010. Outside of the office, Ms. Lopez spends her time enjoying the outdoors, keeping up with sports, writing creatively and shooting digital photography.

 

Adrienne MurphyAdrienne Murphy, Office Manager
firstname@seedscrc.org

Adrienne Murphy, Office Manager, has been with SEEDS for 13 years. Adrienne is from New York, where she studied at the Pratt Institute and Katharine Gibbs Business School. Her background is in Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Administrative Management. Adrienne is currently working toward her B.S. degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Business Administration. She has served on the Advisory Board at her daughter Dominique’s school. Adrienne’s personal interests include Modern & Hip-Hop dance and Arts & Crafts. She is also a basketball fan and enjoys spending time with her dog, Pebbles.