Instructors

David Brubaker, M.B.A., Ph.D

David is academic director and assistant professor of organizational studies at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. He has 20 years of experience in workplace mediation, training and organizational consulting. David also has 10 years of management experience, including five years as executive director of a community development organization in Arizona. He is the author of numerous articles on conflict transformation and chapters in several books. He earned a M.B.A. from Eastern University and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, specializing in religion and organizations.

Jayne Seminare Docherty, Ph.D

Jayne is professor of conflict studies in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. She is the author of Learning Lessons from Waco: When the Parties Bring Their Gods to the Negotiation Table and The Little Book of Strategic Negotiation. Professor Docherty has taught negotiation skills to diplomats, business managers, and community leaders in the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East. She holds a Ph.D. in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.

Terry Whitmore, M.B.A.

Terry is a professor in EMU’s Adult Degree Completion Program. He has taught courses in advertising, human resource management, organizational behavior, principles of marketing and consumer behavior at EMU, JMU, and BRCC. With more than 15 years of experience working in his family business at E & M Auto Paint & Supply Corporation in Harrisonburg, Terry brings an array of practical business knowledge to the classroom. Terry has a M.B.A. from James Madison University.

Elaine Zook Barge, M.A.

Elaine directs the STAR Program (Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Resilience) at EMU which draws together persons from more than 50 countries to study trauma, violence, conflict and communication.  During most of the 80s and 90s she worked with MCC, a relief and development organization in three Central American countries (El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala).  Elaine holds an M.A. in conflict transformation from EMU.

Susan Landes Beck, M.S.W, L.C.S.W

Susan has 15 years experience as a mediator, teacher and facilitator of interpersonal and organizational conflict, including work as a psychotherapist with individuals, families, and groups. As the marketing manager at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, she sees marketing as a responsibility of the organization to meet real human needs while being stewards of the organization’s mission and resources. Susan has a M.S.W. from Western Michigan University.

Amy Potter, M.A.

Amy is the associate director of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding’s “Practice Institute.” She brings 10 years of experience as a trainer and teacher in the area of conflict resolution. She also is a skilled facilitator in group decision-making, planning and dialogue about difficult issues. She holds a M.A. in mediation and facilitation from EMU’s Conflict Transformation Program.

Allon Lefever, M.A.

Allon has been involved in starting more than 20 private and public companies and has served on over 40 boards, ranging from public Fortune 500 to community service boards. He has 37 years of experience in senior management, profit and nonprofit business, with startups and mergers. He has worked on Wall Street and at EMU, where he formerly directed the MBA program and still teachers. He is a business consultant, an entrepreneur, and involved in numerous community endeavors. He holds a Masters in Economics from Penn State University.

Nancy Good Sider, L.C.S.W, Ph.D

Nancy is an associate professor of trauma and conflict studies at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. A mediator and therapist for more than 30 years, Nancy is a founding partner at Newman Avenue Associates in Harrisonburg where she works as a mediator, organizational consultant/trainer, and licensed psychotherapist. At CJP, Nancy specializes in trauma healing, diversity-based conflict (race and gender), and teaching conflict transformation skills. She received a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University.

Cheryl Talley, Ph.D.

Cheryl is an associate professor of psychology at James Madison University, experienced at facilitating discussions on diversity in educational, business and religious settings. Cheryl uses insight, humor, professional and personal experience to facilitate conversation about diversity and to help leaders move through conflict to create unifying frameworks to accomplish an organization's mission. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

P. Marshall Yoder, J.D.

P. Marshall is of counsel to Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver, P.L.C. where he practices in the areas of corporate, estate planning, and collaborative law.  Marshall is an adjunct professor in EMU's MBA program where he teaches corporate governance and leadership. Marshall served as co-chair of the litigation department at Poyner and Spruill, L.L.P. in Charlotte, N.C., where, in addition to practicing law, he helped with strategic planning, associate and team development, and managed approximately 25 attorneys and their support staff.  Marshall obtained his J.D. degree from Campbell University.