Good Shepherd Mediation Services Staff
Sue Wasserkrug, Esq. (she/her)
Director of Mediation Department
Sue oversees the development and delivery of all service and training programs in the Mediation Department at CORA Services. She leads the mediation component of the City of Philadelphia’s nationally recognized Eviction Diversion Program, which helps landlords and tenants resolve disputes outside of court. Sue is an attorney with many years of experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania, at the Homeless Advocacy Project, People’s Emergency Center, and SeniorLAW Center. Her legal practice focused on the areas of family law, elder law, and public benefits. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Oberlin College in Ohio, Master of Arts degrees in Journalism and in Anthropology from the University of Arizona, and a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she received an award for her human rights work. Her interest in mediation stems from the limitations of the legal system that she witnessed as a practicing attorney. Sue was the 2022 recipient of the Philadelphia Bar Association's "Bending the ARC" Award, recognizing Achievement, Resilience, and Courage.
Camila Pretel (she/her)
Director of Restorative Justice Department
Camila oversees the development and delivery of all restorative justice services, youth programs, and related training and consulting at CORA Good Shepherd Mediation. Under Camila’s leadership, the Restorative Justice team became its own department in 2021; championing community-based alternatives to policing with projects like The Transforming Justice Hub and diversion workshops, supporting student-led solutions to the school-to-prison pipeline through Peer Mediation trainings, and providing trauma-informed approaches to healing interpersonal harm with Circle Process facilitation for families, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and comrades. Camila's work as an award-winning Restorative Justice practitioner, trained mediator, grassroots organizer, and popular education facilitator has taken her to Latin America, Asia, and to various indigenous communities fighting for sovereignty and decolonization across the globe. She is overjoyed to have landed at CORA Good Shepherd Mediation where she's inspired each day by her team's commitment to social justice and solidarity with working people.
Alexandra Harris (she/her)
Division Coordinator
Alexandra Harris, aka Serene, oversees case management, volunteer development, and best practices for both the Restorative Justice department and Mediation department at CORA Good Shepherd Mediation. Serene became an attorney in 2019 and comes to CORA GSM after two years as a specialist at the Tenant Union Representative Network, where she aided tenants in navigating their lease and exercising their rights both in and out of the courtroom. She obtained her law degree from Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University. She attained a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Howard University. Serene is driven to promote real conflict resolution in her circles and the Philadelphia community, is a trained mediator and works hard to ensure the efficacy of our services.
Fayisha Cathey
Service Coordinator
Magdalena Tsiongas (she/her)
Restorative Justice Specialist, Restorative Justice Department
As a Restorative Justice Specialist for CORA, Magdalena is responsible for leading restorative justice circle processes, providing trainings in restorative justice to community, school staff and workplaces, and training students in Philadelphia schools in Peer Mediation. Magdalena was trained in the inclusive mediation model from Community Mediation Maryland and served as a volunteer with Baltimore Community Mediation Center, where she's led mediations between community members, coworkers, landlords and tenants, and co-parents. Prior to coming to CORA, Magdalena worked in Baltimore City Public Schools and community, in organizing with coalitions pushing for police free schools and legislative changes in the criminal legal system. She has been trained in Restorative Practices in Schools by the International Institute for Restorative Practices and is trained in the Metro IAF organizing model. A current Master of Public Health student at the George Washington University, Magdalena is working on projects on medical-legal partnerships to support gun violence survivors and supporting the healthcare needs of the incarcerated population. She also received her Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College.
Nancy Geist Giacomini (she/her)
Mediation Manager, Eviction Diversion Program
Nancy Geist Giacomini serves as Mediation Manager for the City of Philadelphia Eviction Diversion Program helping tenants and landlords navigate and resolve the financial hardships created by COVID-19. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Delaware and is a credentialed scholar/practitioner across resolution options including group facilitation, conflict coaching, mediation, restorative practices, victim/offender conference facilitation, due process adjudication, Title IX (campus sexual misconduct), and ombuds roles. She completed her bachelors degree in psychology at West Chester University and her masters degrees in counseling psychology at Kutztown University. Nancy is a published author and editor, popular online adjunct graduate faculty, systems consultant, and active special education mediator and stakeholder council member with the PA Office for Dispute Resolution. She began her award-winning career in higher education administration managing campus conduct and conflict management operations and has remained active in the field as a sought-after consultant, trainer, speaker, and interim staff member. She is a social justice advocate and ally whose body of work champions integrated conflict and conduct management initiatives in education and human resource management from foundations and perspectives that advance inclusive conflict excellence. Nancy is a contributing member of multiple non-profit professional associations and has held international service leadership roles including board president, foundation board member, and professional development lead faculty.
Susan Layne
Lead Reviewer, Eviction Diversion Program
Susan Layne (she/her) works with the City of Philadelphia Eviction Diversion Program, a program that helps landlords and tenants use mediation instead of the courts to resolve issues and avoid eviction. She leads the initial review process for new applicants. Susan is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University (BS Engineering Science) and Mount St. Mary's College (MBA) and has extensive professional experience in program management and volunteer experience in community programs.
Toni Irving
Lead Scheduler, Eviction Diversion Program
Toni Irving is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Girard College. She has an Associates in Paralegal studies from the Community College of Philadelphia and attended Loyola University New Orleans as an English literature major.
Lamya Broussard, M.S.S., M.L.S.P.
Facilitator, Restorative Justice Department
Lamya Broussard is a facilitator for CORA Good Shepherd Mediation's Juvenile Justice Diversion Program. She is a dedicated clinician whose been in the Social Services field for more than a decade. She’s honored to have worked with various populations including youth aging out of foster care, adjudicated youth with co-occurring disorders, LGBTQ & homeless youth, students impacted by compounded grief & loss, opioid laden communities and many more. Lamya is very passionate about working with at risk youth and young adults. As the Founder & Director of C.O.M.E. Coming Out More Equipped Consulting Services, Lamya has facilitated family conferences for youth seeking permanency, with DHS funded agencies, facilitated therapeutic support group for urban youth addressing police brutality & conflict resolution, with Philadelphia Police Department at city hall, and has provided clinical supervision to undergraduate and graduate level students seeking a career in social services. She’s earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Tuskegee University and her Masters in Social Services & Masters in Law & Social Policy from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research with a specialization in Child & Family Wellbeing. Lamya finds her greatest joy and life purpose in helping individuals overcome their life challenges and navigate through their healing process
John Rossi
Mediation Specialist, Eviction Diversion Program
John Rossi serves as Mediation Specialist for the City of Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion Program, which helps tenants and landlords reach mutually beneficially agreements without going through the costly court process. In addition to mediating, he processes all mediation-related documents and codes all outcomes for the thousands of applications that come through the program annually. He is a South Philadelphia native and graduate of Temple University (B.A., History). He has experience in tenant advocacy as well as court administration.
Leah Brown
Reviewer, Eviction Diversion Program
Leah Brown (she/her) works with the City of Philadelphia Eviction Diversion Program. Leah is a graduating senior from La Salle University, pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice. While at La Salle University, Leah participated in the Joint Commission of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the DEI Education Workstream. In addition, an internship with the Pennsylvania Prison Society, an organization committed to improving the lives of incarcerated individuals. Leah is highly driven and focused on learning various aspects of the criminal justice system while supporting the community, especially those underrepresented and in need. In addition, Leah volunteers at organizations that assist marginalized communities, such as No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit INC. and Step Up To The Plate.
Aaliyah Lyles (she/her)
Administrative Assistant, Eviction Diversion Program
Aaliyah serves as the first point of contact for landlords and tenants participating in the Eviction Diversion Program (EDP), a City of Philadelphia program that helps landlords and tenants use mediation and other forms of diversion to resolve issues and avoid eviction. She supports EDP participants by providing information and connecting them to the appropriate resources. Aaliyah holds a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education and has an extensive professional background in Executive Business Administration. Aaliyah’s greatest joys are her family, cooking, and helping others.
Cierra Sheppard
Reviewer, Eviction Diversion Program
Cierra (she/her) works with the Eviction Diversion Program. Cierra was born and raised in West Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Paul Robeson High School and a Drexel University Alumni. Raised on strong family and community values Cierra volunteers with local lgbtqia+ organizations and plans on dedicating her time with CORA to putting a dent in the current housing crisis and hardships brought on by Covid-19.
Nicole Conley
Reviewer, Eviction Diversion Program