My mission is to create a culture of positive communication and conflict resolution.
My approach draws on my professional experience and community-based volunteer work as an organizational leader, mediator, conflict coach, restorative practices facilitator, Circle keeper, community dialogue facilitator, SafeZone trainer, and Nonviolent Communication practitioner. I have consulted with dozens of government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations to improve communication and conflict resolution at all levels of the organization.
I have taught undergraduate and graduate level courses at the University of Rochester, Nazareth University, and Monroe Community College, covering topics in Conflict Resolution, Interpersonal Communication, and Education and Human Development. I lecture and lead trainings on conflict skills, restorative practices/Circle keeping, trauma-informed care, implicit bias, and diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI).
Currently, I work as the President & CEO at the Center for Dispute Settlement, a non-profit organization providing mediation and conflict resolution services in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region in New York State. I serve as the Board President of the New York State Dispute Resolution Association. I also volunteer as a Circle keeper with Hidden Water, a restorative justice response to childhood sexual abuse.
I am an award-winning author and researcher, featured in both popular and academic publications including Braver Collective, Discourse Processes, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, and Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning. I have presented at the International Institute for Restorative Practices World Conference, U.S. Child Care Policy Research Consortium, American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Conference, American Educational Research Association Conference, New York State Dispute Resolution Association Conference, and numerous local forums.
I hold a Ph.D. in Education and Human Development from the University of Rochester, a B.S. in Cognitive Science from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from St. John Fisher University.
HIGHLIGHTED PARTNERSHIPS
NYS Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA): Provided restorative practices and anti-bias training for the statewide Community Mediation Service Corps (CMSC) AmeriCorps program.
NYS Division of Human Rights: Co-facilitated restorative practices training for the DHR Commissioner and the entire central office staff. Provided Anti-Bias training for the Hate & Bias Prevention Unit’s regional council members across the state. Served as lead facilitator for the HBPU’s Finger Lakes Regional Council.
NYS Unified Court System: Anti-bias trainer for mediators, arbitrators, and other neutrals across the state.
NYS Education Department: Provided restorative practices training for K-12 educators through a contract with the statewide Community Dispute Resolution Center program.
SUNY Brockport: Consulted with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to implement restorative practices across campus, in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Human Resources, University Police, School of Business and Management, and several academic departments.
MEDIA
2025 NYS Hate & Bias Prevention Unit, Finger Lakes Regional Council, Poder 97.1 FM Su Hora Informativa
2025 The Art of Communication, Conflict, and Compassion, Agents of Nonprofit podcast
2024 How to Strengthen Your Dialogue Muscles. WXXI, Connections with Evan Dawson
2023 Mediation Moments - Shira May, National Association for Community Mediation
2021 Connections: Center for Dispute Settlement CEO, Shira May. WXXI, Connections with Evan Dawson
“[It is a] struggle to manage the highly polarized and politicized environment right now. The information and nuance on biases and ways to think about them…as well as the detailed dive into microaggressions, was really helpful.”
— Anti-Bias Training participant