ADRIO Board of Directors and Staff

Bruce Ally (President) has been mediating since 1985, completing over 4,000 mediations in areas such as personal injury, employment law, estates, construction, and human rights. He is an instructor for Osgoode Hall Law School’s Lawyer as Negotiator program and York University’s Certificate in Mediation. Bruce is also a member of Ontario’s Mandatory Mediation Roster and the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada and provides arbitration, investigation, and workplace restoration services for private firms and government bodies. Holding an LLM in ADR from Osgoode Hall, Bruce is widely published and a certified Ombudsman, mediator, and member of the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators.

Sarah Albo (Secretary) is a Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer, Conflict Coach, and Psychological Health and Safety advisor focused on supporting organizations to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their employees through a focus on conflict resolution. She is trained in neuroscience, mental health as a therapist, and holds an MBA from the University of Toronto. In her fourth year on the ADRIO Board of Directors, she Co-Chairs the HR Committee and serves on the Governance Committee. Sarah Albo holds QMed, MBA, PHSA, and WFA designations.

Steve Benmor, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M. is the founder and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group, a boutique matrimonial law firm in downtown Toronto. He is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and was admitted as a Fellow to the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. Steve isregularly retained as a Divorce Mediator, Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator.

Peter Bruer is an ADRIO member since 2010, and first served on the Board of Directors from 2015 to 2020, when he focused on board governance and new mediator training and experiential learning. From 1997 to 2024 Peter managed one of the province’s oldest ADR training and mediation firms, at The Neighbourhood Group Community Services (formerly St. Stephen’s Community House) in Toronto. In that work Peter was active in promoting the use of ADR in communities across the city, in workplaces and organizations, courts and tribunals, municipal governments, schools and with other stakeholders. He helped to set up mediation services in municipalities across Canada, and around the world. In 2024, Peter moved to human resources, where he is now coordinating agency-wide job equity evaluations for the agency’s one thousand staff.

William Cornet (Vice-President) is a chartered mediator, negotiator, business consultant, investigator, facilitator, trainer, coach, and ADR conflict management system design specialist in areas of family, commercial, employment, workplace, human rights, personal injury, and intercultural. As a Lecturer at Saint Paul University, William teaches ADR and Negotiation, Legal and Technical Aspects of Conflict Resolution and Conflict in Organizations courses, specializing in religious and ethnic conflicts at the Faculty of Canon Law. William has a M.A in Conflict Studies with specialization in intercultural mediation and an L.L.M. (ADR) from Osgoode Hall Law School. William has administered, trained, and designed ADR workshops for organizations as Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Attorney General of Ontario, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, Grand Lido Braco in Jamaica, Hospice in Geneva (Switzerland), and the Assembly of First Nations focusing on Prevention of Workplace Harassment/Discrimination, Workplace Sexual Harassment/Violence, Group and Leadership Intervention, Workplace Conflict, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Cultural and Intergenerational Diversity, anti-black racism, Individual Coaching, and Intercultural Communication.

Jeff Donnelly is Chief Consumer Protection Officer, OMVIC, and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of consumer protection, enforcement, and communications. He has more than 20 years of experience in professional regulation, along with progressive leadership in the areas of consumer protection and regulatory oversight. Jeff is a licensed member of the Law Society of Ontario and holds an LL.M from Osgoode Hall Law School specializing in administrative law, as well as a postgraduate certificate in Dispute Resolution from York University and a certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals from York University Osgoode Hall Law School. Jeff also holds a Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation.

Adam Fox is a seasoned lawyer and mediator with over 20 years of experience in the financial services and legal sectors. He currently serves as Senior Counsel at Desjardins General Insurance Company. He specializes in insurance litigation, while also integrating alternative dispute resolution (ADR) into his practice. As a Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) with extensive experience in dispute resolution, Adam has been a leader in the ADR community. He has served as President of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO), as a board member of ADRIO and is focused on advancing ADR qualifications and practices in Ontario. Adam holds a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, a Master’s degree in Diplomacy from the University of Westminster, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo. His vision for the future of ADR focuses on fostering collaboration among different ADR professionals and strengthening ties with organizations in the field.

Kartik Gupta is a highly accomplished Arbitrator, Mediator, and an award winning Forensic/ Quantum Expert with two decades of international experience across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Kartik is a recognized ADR leader and is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars across the world. In addition to his work in the areas of arbitration and mediation, Kartik is a sought-after expert witness in forensic (accounting), valuation and damage assessment matters. Kartik is Co-Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee.

Jennifer Hyatt ( Treasurer) CPA, CFE, Q.Med, is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Qualified Mediator. She uses all her professional skills to find a down-to-earth approach to consulting, mediating and teaching through her practice Accountant Jen. She has been on the ADRIO Board of Directors since 2022 operating as their Treasurer.

Rosanna ‘Rosie” Macri has over a decade of experience as a Practicing Healthcare Ethicist and has been in healthcare since 2003. As a seasoned mediator, Rosie has mediated and helped to resolve countless values-based conflicts amongst patients, clients, residents, families and healthcare professionals, keeping the clients’ values at the centre of care. Over the years, Rosie has developed a passion for helping older adults maintain personhood and autonomy throughout the aging process and established Compassionate Consultant, a company that offers older adults and their families the hope of resolving challenging situations in a way that both nurtures and maintains relationships. Rosie also serves as a member of the Board’s HR Committee.

Eric Myles has been a member of the Board of Directors of the ADRIO since 2023. His engagements with ADR are various:  he has completed a Master of Laws degree in ADR and holds the designations of Q.Arb and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London). His foremost interests in dispute resolution relate to disputes over the rights of Canada’s indigenous peoples, disputes engaging natural resources law and disputes arising under public international law. His current legal practice focuses on tax law. Before studying law, he pursued historical studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Drew Samuels is the Director, Litigation and Administration at DuCharme, McMillen & Associates Canada. He provides strategic litigation expertise and legal advice on a wide range of legal issues regarding litigation strategy at mediations, trials, appeal preparation, and presentation before the Assessment Review Board. Drew is responsible for the coordination and advocacy of property tax appeals and his experience also includes appearing as a Licensed Paralegal before the Assessment Review Board, the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Small Claims Court, and the Ontario Court of Justice.  Beyond his demanding professional responsibilities, Drew is a dedicated volunteer with a remarkable commitment to community service. He generously lends his expertise and leadership to an impressive array of boards, where he plays pivotal roles in shaping their respective missions. Notably, he was the President of the Board of Directors for the Durham Community Legal Clinic (2021-2023), he is currently the President of the Durham College Alumni Association, the Vice-President of the Institute of Municipal Assessors, and the Honourary Past President of the Durham Children’s Aid Society.

Nadini Sankar-Peralta is a longstanding member with ADRIO, OAFM and SOAR with Q.Med and AccFm designations. Nadini brings 20+ years of political acuity/governmental relations in senior roles within federal/provincial/municipal governments providing advice in policy, leading ministerial Cabinet submissions, and conducting negotiations/consultations in sectors of Indigenous affairs, social services, environment, energy, education, health etc.  Nadini is multilingual and holds a Masters (M.Ed) graduate degree in Education, a postgraduate certification in ADR, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science/French and completed 1 year of a Juris Doctor from the Northwestern California University School of Law. Nadini continues to serve on other Committees/Boards/Tribunals as adjudicator, mediator and arbitrator in several public provincial and national organizations, specializing conflict resolution in restorative justice, sports, land development, healthcare, and employment. Nadini is currently Co-Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee and member of the Nominations Committee.

Pramila Javaheri (Executive Director) BA (Hons), C.Med, Q.Arb, WFA, is an engaging Speaker and Mediator with 24 years of experience. Pramila has held leadership roles as President of the Community Legal Clinic of York Region and Vice-President of ADRIO. Her success has been featured on CBC radio, CTV and the Toronto Star. She is an Instructor for the certificate in Dispute Resolution at York University. She has provided coaching, mediation, ADR & leadership training, and consulting services to thousands of participants across Canada. She has received numerous Leadership and Mentorship awards from Federal, Provincial and Municipal elected officials. Pramila has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from York University and a Certificate for the Emerging Leaders Program from Schulich School of Business. She is most excited when supporting individuals to reach their highest potential in ADR.

Sioux ‘Sue’ Jensen (Member Success Manager) champions member retention and expansion strategies while ensuring exceptional service delivery at ADRIO. She oversees the organization’s government contracts, coordinates the designation certification process, and lends her creativity to event planning. With a passion for elevating the member journey, Sioux takes a multifaceted approach to her work. Her efforts drive ADRIO’s growth, strengthen member engagement, and contribute to a thriving and dynamic community.

Tommy Lam (Senior Manager, Programs) leads the course accreditation, communications, continuing professional development, and service expansion portfolios at ADRIO. He has over 10 years of experience contributing to the non-profit and social profit sectors within the realm of micro-learning and education program management, marketing, event planning, and sponsorship account management. Tommy also led a wide array of projects in support of the Ontario Micro-credential Strategy, including the annual micro-credential forum, community of practice, toolkit, and the Ontario micro-credential portal. His professional path started in the e-commerce and runway fashion industry before he transitioned to the world of ADR education and professional development. He is formally trained in project management and Dare to Lead™ Leadership. He holds an Hons. BA in English (arts, contemporary studies, and rhetoric) from the Toronto Metropolitan University. Tommy enjoys reading memoirs, swimming, and watching cooking competition shows (in no particular order, and not all at once). Connect with Tommy at one of ADRIO’s upcoming events!