Our Team
Amy Bonomi, PhD, MPH
FOUNDER AND ASSOCIATE
Amy Bonomi, PhD, MPH is founder of Social Justice Associates (SJA), professor and associate dean of strategic initiatives at Northern Arizona University (NAU), 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). A dynamic leader, she has achieved success in strategic growth and leading diverse stakeholders to common goals. At MSU, Dr. Bonomi provided leadership as a department chair, founding director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, and chair of the president’s Sexual Violence Advisory Committee. At NAU, she leads academic excellence efforts, workforce development and career pathway and pipelines involving youth and adults from rural, underserved, and sovereign tribal nations.
As a scholar, Dr. Bonomi and her team published the field’s seminal five-stage model illustrating how domestic abusers tamper with their victims (through calls made from jail) to influence victim recantation. The five-stage model has been cited worldwide in legal proceedings and amicus briefs, and the model is regularly used in expert testimony. Dr. Bonomi’s book with co-author David Martin, “Domestic Violence and Recantation: The Untold Story” provides access to the five-stage model and sample jail recordings: My WordPress (recantation.org).
Dr. Bonomi received the awards of Distinguished Scholar (at OSU) and Diversity Champion (at MSU). Dr. Bonomi is appointed 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.
Dr. Bonomi's work has appeared in a range of media venues, such as ABC, BBC, Canada AM Television, CNN, Great Day Houston, MSNBC, National Public Radio, the Atlantic, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Daily Mail, Times of India, Columbus Dispatch, Detroit Free Press.
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.
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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 Sparrow Health System in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, Dr. Dimond was 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/.