Citizens Mediation

Featured Volunteer

Every quarter, this space will highlight a CMS volunteer. We recognize the value they bring to our communities through their careers and good works. You may be surprised by the level of talent found among our volunteer corps.

Heidi Duncan, Featured Volunteer

Heidi is an attorney with offices in Dowagiac and Cassopolis. She has been a CMS volunteer for three years. She specializes in domestic mediation. Heidi has mediated 82 cases since becoming a CMS volunteer. She is also a court roster mediator and part of her law practice includes mediation.

Board of Directors

Jason Churchill, Board President

A retired Air Force veteran, Jason brings a wealth of knowledge about IT to the Board. Jason is also a civil mediator and regularly mediates cases at the Center.

Holly D.M. Lucas, Secretary

An attorney with Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki, Holly specializes in business law and the financial aspects of domestic law. She's a Notre Dame grad and licensed to practice in Illinois and Michigan.

Steve Wolfram

Steve has been a member of the CMS Board for five years. A semi-retired attorney in St. Joseph, Steve is a past President of the Board and an active volunteer mediator.

David Shellito

Retired from Whirlpool for a couple of years now, Dave's executive level background in business and strategic planning experience are highly valued on the Board. Dave is taking the Civil Mediation course this fall and will mediate for the Center as well as serve on the Board.

John Smietanka

John has practiced law in the Midwest all of his adult life. A bit of an icon in the legal community, he was active in state and local politics for many years. John has been a lawyer for the Innocence Project and teaches law in the Czech Republic every fall.

Lou Ann Schafer

Lou Ann is a public relations and marketing professional and the engine behind the Center's Marketing and Communications Plan. Lou Ann is often the creative voice on a Board stacked with left-brain thinkers!

Don Hermann, Treasurer

Don is a retired bank examiner. A spreadsheet wizard, Don keeps an eagle eye on our budget and assists the ED with all things financial. Don also serves on the Board of the St. Joseph River Yacht Club.

Our Staff

Dr. Sarah J. Dempsey, Executive Director

After 33 years in higher education, Sarah joined CMS in March, 2016. Since then she has honed her skills as a mediator and developed several new programs that speak to area community needs.

Lisa Lambrecht, Case Manager

Lisa came to CMS after 26 years as an office administrator in the insurance business. Lisa schedules all mediations and works with court administrators. She is also manages accounts receivable for the Center.