Our Team
Amy Bonomi, PhD, MPH
FOUNDER AND ASSOCIATE
Dr. Bonomi is founder of Social Justice Associates (SJA), instructor of Organizational Culture at the University of Denver, and consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dr. Bonomi founded SJA following her tenure as an award-winning professor at The Ohio State University (OSU) and Michigan State University (MSU). At MSU, Amy provided university-level leadership as a department chair, founding director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and chair of the president’s Sexual Violence Advisory Committee (including providing guidance on university communication). For her work on issues impacting women, Amy was named Distinguished Scholar (at OSU) and Diversity Champion (at MSU). As a scholar, Dr. Bonomi is the author of more than 100 articles/essays on domestic violence, recantation, and equity-related issues, and co-author of the award-winning book, Women Leading Change in Academia: Breaking the Glass Ceiling, Cliff, and Slipper, which addresses equity and inclusion barriers women leaders face and strategies to remove those barriers. Nationally, Dr. Bonomi is appointed in the Biden administration as co-chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a strategic leader certified in restorative justice and mediation, Dr. Bonomi guides organizations in strategy and culture building - including DEI quality improvement, growth plans (through the lens of DEI), and conflict resolution - within business, education, health, legal and non-profit settings. In addition, Dr. Bonomi serves as an expert witness and in writing expert reports in domestic- and sexual violence- cases, including for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dr. Bonomi's work has appeared in ABC News, BBC (Ireland), Canada AM Television, CNN, Fox News, Great Day Houston, MSNBC (Alex Witt Show), National Public Radio, the Atlantic, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Daily Mail, Telegraph, Times of India, Columbus Dispatch, Detroit Free Press, among others.
Click here to view Dr. Amy Bonomi's CV.
Melora Bentz, JD
ASSOCIATE
Melora Bentz, JD is an attorney, mediator, human relations consultant, and restorative justice facilitator focused on helping people to transform conflict into opportunity. Experience as an employment and labor litigator informs her guidance to leaders focused on cultivating a healthy workplace culture.
A member of the inaugural Colorado Diverse Attorneys Community Circle (Colorado Bar Association), she is a passionate anti-racism advocate and restorative justice educator.
Melora is a mediator for Denver City and County Courts and serves as Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. At Middle Path Mediation, LLC, she leads parties in conflict to a middle path, a workable ground, toward resolution.
Michelle Noyes
ASSOCIATE
Michelle Noyes is a mediation professional, educator, and coach. Trained under the leadership of Phoenix Strategies, Inc. founder, Monica Lichtenberger, Michelle approaches mediation with the Collaborative, Facilitative, Interest-based Model. Michelle acquired Phoenix Strategies, Inc. in 2021. Working with people who are trying to unravel the conflict puzzle, Michelle focuses on the underlying needs or interests of the parties. She helps people navigate through the process of discovery and empowers them to make their own best path forward. Providing a safe, neutral space for conversation Michelle assists her clients to create the best option for their lifestyle and move to a place of relief and peace.
Before pursuing a career in conflict resolution, Michelle spent 18 years as a public-school teacher. She applies those skills and best practices to Phoenix Strategies, Inc. mediator training and conflict coaching programs.
In addition to her own practice, Michelle facilitated mediation for the City of Fort Collins, Jefferson County Mediation Services, The Better Business Bureau, El Paso County Courts, and School District 11. Michelle has had a variety of experience in family mediation, divorce and post decree mediation, union dispute, workplace dispute, business consumer dispute, tenant landlord dispute, and conflict involving nonprofit organizations.
Margaret Dimond, PhD
ASSOCIATE
Margaret Dimond, PhD, is Chief Administrative Officer of Naples Community Hospital Physician Group in Naples, Florida. Dr. Dimond is an accomplished and well-respected health care leader with extensive experience in acute care, ambulatory and physician group environments within leading health care systems throughout Southeast Michigan. An intuitive and dynamic leader, she has achieved success in organizational integration with a focus on strategic growth as well as leading diverse stakeholders to common goals. Dr. Dimond has a proven track record of increasing employee/patient satisfaction, combined with improving quality metrics and financial performance. She is an advocate for female leaders and is a sought-after speaker regarding women and business. Dr. Dimond has also served as President and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and President and CEO of the McLaren Medical Group, both within the McLaren Health System. She has held the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Henry Ford Hospital Warren campus, and Vice President of Ambulatory Services for Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also served in the position of Assistant Dean for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Physician Practice Plan. Dr. Dimond's leadership extends beyond the walls of the hospital to several academic and community organization boards. She serves on the Oakland University Board of Advocacy and Resource Development, and is a trustee of Olivet College and Mercy High School, and is a board member Dearborn Federal Credit Union, Michigan Humane Society, and Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Dionne Stephens, PhD
ASSOCIATE
Dr. Dionne Stephens (she/her) is a Professor of Psychology at Florida International University. Dr. Stephens is widely recognized for her professional development workshops that center inclusion and equity across diverse contexts.
As a multiple-award winning mentor and teacher and highly sought after speaker, Dr. Stephens has been an invited presenter on inclusion and equity at the National Institutes for Health, American Psychological Association, University of Houston, Affirming Youth Foundation, Miami- Dade Economic Trust, and numerous other organizations. She has written seminal articles on the experiences of women leaders with intersectional identities in higher education, and the importance of networks in the academy.
Dr. Stephens has won multiple awards for mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has experience working with multiple campus constituencies (e.g., sororities) and community-based organizations. A national expert in Hip Hop culture and health equity, her research has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Ebony, Elle Magazine, the Miami Herald, National Public Radio, and Slate: https://www.dionnestephens.com/.