Ron Ludwig, BA  
Executive Director

• Received his Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Colorado at Denver
• Completed a leadership training program with Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs
• Gained teaching and training experience through instructing a class on Non-profit Management and Accounting at Metro State College of Denver
• Performed trainings in non-profit accounting for various leadership programs
• Has received training and attended conferences on Social Norming
• Presented on The Conflict Center’s Social Norms Anti-Bullying Campaign at the Colorado Council of Mediators 2006 Fall Conference
• Has provided accounting and business management services to both small business and non-profits since 1980 ;
• Served on the board of low income housing development and several non-profits and church organizations ;
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations ;
• Trained in restorative justice in schools
  

Ronnie Weiss, MSW   
Manager of Resource Development

• Received a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland
• Has extensive experience in the non-profit arena that includes working for the United Way of Central Maryland and acting as director of the Gateway Battered Women’s Shelter in Colorado
  
• Has held a number of leadership positions, including acting as co-chair of the Colorado Domestic Violence Coalition
  
• Helped pass Colorado legislation to set up a system for perpetrator treatment standards
  
• Has 24 years of grant writing experience
  
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations
  
• Trained in restorative justice in schools

  
Volunteer & Intern Manager

Mitzi Hicks, MPA  
Fund Development & Government Contracts Specialist

• Received her Masters in Public Administration with emphasis in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado in Denver, School of Public Affairs.
• Received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver.
• Received her Associate of Arts degree from Red Rocks Community College
• Former Conflict Center intern.
• Taught Anger Management and Conflict Management classes at TCC

Office Manager & Bilingual Enrollment Coordinator 

Diana Higuera, MA   
Marketing and Communications Manager

• Received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas, Venezuela
• Received her Master’s degree in International and Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver, with emphasis in Conflict Resolution and International Politics.
• Currently serves in the board of Denver Coalition for Integration
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations.
• Experienced in group facilitation.
• Experienced in organizational development as a founder for the Graduate Student Association for Internationalization at the University of Denver.
• Experienced in marketing, public relations and community relations.
• Trained in Restorative Justice and Mediation
  

Maggie Helseth, MA  
Garden Tour Coordinator

• Received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Minnesota State University, Moorhead in 2002
• Completing her Master’s thesis in conflict resolution
• Serves on the board of directors for the Colorado Council of Mediators and has diverse leadership experience that includes serving on multiple organizational boards
• Received a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Denver in 2005
• Acts as a volunteer mediator for a local restorative justice organization
• Gained multidisciplinary teaching experience through acting as music instructor and school tutor
• Demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations

Terry Gale  
Manager of Operations

• Currently working on his BA in Human Services from the University of Phoenix with an emphasis in marriage and family counseling.
  • Former AmeriCorps staff member
  • One year experience as a Group Living Counselor with behaviorally challenged youth ages 11 to 18.

Vickie Samland, M. Div.   
Schools Programs Coordinator
(Reading for Peace and Playground Conflict Managers Coordinator)

• received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bridgewater College in Virginia
• received her Professional Teacher’s License in Colorado in 1974
• received her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver
• trained in mediation through the University of Denver and is a member of the Colorado Council of Mediators
• is an experienced facilitator and mediator
• developed leadership skills serving on the national board of directors of a church denomination
• has 30 years of experience in the education field and as a teacher
• demonstrated cultural competency and has worked with diverse populations