ABOUT US
The New York Peace Institute is committed to promoting peace in our communities. Whether a dispute involves two people, dozens of people, or several groups, we can help.
We work in three areas:
For more information on New York Peace Institute you can email us any time at info@nypeace.org or contact us at one of our Mediation Center locations
Manhattan Mediation Center
346 Broadway, Suite 400W New York, NY 10013
T: 212.577.1740
F: 212.577.1748
Brooklyn Mediation Center
210 Joralemon St., Suite 618 Brooklyn, NY 11201
T: 718.834.6671
F: 718.834.6681
Our vision
The New York Peace Institute envisions a world in which all people have the resources to creatively and constructively resolve their differences.
Our mission
People disagree and arguments escalate. As experts in conflict response, the New York Peace Institute empowers people to find creative and durable solutions to their disputes. We teach vital conflict resolution skills to communities and organizations, and we advance the field by training and certifying professional mediators.
Our values
Everything we do comes out of the core belief that active peacemaking requires direct, respectful, and creative communication. We’re here to get in the middle when people or communities have disputes, and our work is driven by these six values:
Optimism
We see every conflict as an opportunity for better understanding. Mediation is a valuable tool, so we strive to make it more accessible to everyone.
Transparency
We encourage openness—from ourselves and from people in disputes—because direct communication is the best way to find solutions.
Empathy
We don’t simply remain neutral—we strive to understand and honor the different points of view of the individuals, parties, or communities in conflict.
Empowerment
We create a private, collaborative environment to help individuals and communities find practical solutions to their disputes. We also help them gain the tools to handle future conflicts.
Excellence
We demand nothing but the best from ourselves on behalf of the people we work with—whether in mediation, in trainings, or during any other discussions.
Creativity
We think differently—and we encourage the people we work with to think differently—to find innovative, and perhaps unexpected, solutions to make New York City a more peaceful place.
Our leadership
Brad Heckman, Chief Executive Officer
Brad has championed mediation and peacebuilding in more than 25 countries. Before becoming New York Peace Institute’s founding CEO, he served as Vice President of Safe Horizon and International Director of Partners for Democratic Change. He’s also an Adjunct Professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs.
Read Brad’s blog here!
Michele Kirschbaum, Director of Programs Michele was formerly the Director of the Safe Horizon Brooklyn Mediation Center, providing court-based and specialized programs to the Brooklyn community. She is expressly recognized for her leadership in the field of Special Education Mediation as a recipient of the Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award.
Allison Attenello, Training Director
Allison began working on conflict resolution at the University for Peace in Costa Rica, where she developed peacebuilding toolkits and supported initiatives in Central Asia and Africa. She has served in leadership positions at several New York City-based nonprofits and has extensive experience designing and delivering trainings for a broad range of organizations.
Our team
Melissa Appleton, Manager of Mediator Education
Rochelle Arms A., Restorative Justice Coordinator
Rusa Fischer, Case Manager, Manhattan
Alan E. Gross, PhD, Special Projects Coordinator
Carol Lieb Himes, Special Education Mediation Coordinator
Shauna St. Hill, Operations Administrative Assistant
Aura Sotomayor, Case Manager, Brooklyn
Melissa V. Thomas, Senior Case Manager, Manhattan
Martha Vargas, Courts Coordinator, Brooklyn
Carrie McCann, Case Manager, Brooklyn
Our board
Jim Isenberg, PhD, Chair
Alan E. Gross, PhD, Treasurer
Gay Rosenblum-Kumar
Maria Volpe, PhD
Michael H. Williams, Secretary