Executive Team
Dick Calkins, Founder - US
Kathleen Ruane Leedy, Co-Founder/President '24 - '25 US
Kathie CalkinsKeyes, Co-founder/President '25-'26- US
"Peacemaking is a lawyer's highest calling." Dick is the inspiration behind TMI. His legacy has been to improve legal practice throughout the world by educating the next generation through hands-on tournaments. He is the founder of the American Mock Trial Association and the International Academy of Dispute Resolution.
Kathie CalkinsKeyes, Co-founder/President '25-'26- US
Kathleen Ruane Leedy, Co-Founder/President '24 - '25 US
Kathie CalkinsKeyes, Co-founder/President '25-'26- US
"Trying to understand is more important than to trying to fix." Kathie is a mountain-hiking, mediation-teaching, mama of 5 from Tucson, Arizona, US. She is the Administrator of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys. She has a Masters in Education, a K-12 teacher certification in Chinese and is a former high school Mandarin Chinese teacher.
Kathleen Ruane Leedy, Co-Founder/President '24 - '25 US
Kathleen Ruane Leedy, Co-Founder/President '24 - '25 US
John Lag, Co-founder/Vice President & Director of Tournaments & Legal - US
"Get your mediator style, confidence, and courage!" Kathleen is an IMI-certified and trained mediator in 19 states, an International Trainer and Author, and an International Law School Mediation Tournament Judge/Coach. She is on the Advisory Boards of MediateGuru, The Accord Initiative, and Accords International, and is the founder of Viv
"Get your mediator style, confidence, and courage!" Kathleen is an IMI-certified and trained mediator in 19 states, an International Trainer and Author, and an International Law School Mediation Tournament Judge/Coach. She is on the Advisory Boards of MediateGuru, The Accord Initiative, and Accords International, and is the founder of Vivad Sankalp. She has mediated over 1000 cases in court and private practice.
John Lag, Co-founder/Vice President & Director of Tournaments & Legal - US
John Lag, Co-founder/Vice President & Director of Tournaments & Legal - US
John Lag, Co-founder/Vice President & Director of Tournaments & Legal - US
John is a attorney, mediator, arbitrator, international trainer, and adjunct Professor of Law at the John Marshall Law School where he teaches Negotiation Theory and Practice. He is a Board Member of INADR and has been hands-on in developing teen mediation tournaments. His diverse legal background spanning 5 decades includes numerous civi
John is a attorney, mediator, arbitrator, international trainer, and adjunct Professor of Law at the John Marshall Law School where he teaches Negotiation Theory and Practice. He is a Board Member of INADR and has been hands-on in developing teen mediation tournaments. His diverse legal background spanning 5 decades includes numerous civil and criminal trials and negotiation of many transactional matters. This has provided him with invaluable knowledge and experience in the field of dispute resolution.
Federica Simonelli - Italy
John Lag, Co-founder/Vice President & Director of Tournaments & Legal - US
Federica Simonelli - Italy
Federica Simonelli is an IMI-qualified civil and commercial mediator, ADR researcher, and lecturer specializing in dispute resolution and advocacy. She earned her law degree in comparative European and transnational law from the University of Trento and is completing her LL.M. at Cardozo School of Law in New York City. Federica is activel
Federica Simonelli is an IMI-qualified civil and commercial mediator, ADR researcher, and lecturer specializing in dispute resolution and advocacy. She earned her law degree in comparative European and transnational law from the University of Trento and is completing her LL.M. at Cardozo School of Law in New York City. Federica is actively involved in mediation training and international youth initiatives, promoting collaborative conflict resolution worldwide. She also contributes to Giustizia Consensuale, a journal dedicated to consensual justice, and serves as a teaching fellow in ADR.
Administrative Team
Susana Pascual
Opeyemi Ogunniyi
Susana Pascual
Executive Assistant
Ellie Savery
Opeyemi Ogunniyi
Susana Pascual
Project Coordinator
Opeyemi Ogunniyi
Opeyemi Ogunniyi
Opeyemi Ogunniyi
Volunteer Coordinator