HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 2 TRC Agenda and PacketAgenda Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Thursday, September 2, 7PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Iowa City City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to
participate in the meeting remotely. HOWEVER, THIS MEETING IS IN-PERSON, AND THOSE WISHING
TO ENSURE THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE SHOULD ATTEND THE MEETING IN-PERSON. If you instead
wish to participate remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the meeting via Zoom by going to:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z1lKoUxcSB2o-XLnk7tQlA. If you are asked for a meeting
ID, enter Meeting ID: 923 5355 5433 to enter a 'Waiting Room' for the meeting. If you have no computer
or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799
and entering the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting Agenda:
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
3.READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCUSSION
4.PRESENTATION AND Q&A WITH KERNS AND WEST FOR TRC FACILITATOR *1HOUR
(THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS AGENDA ITEM. THE PUBLIC WILL BE
ALLOWED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS DURING THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM)
5.PUBLIC COMMENT ON KERNS AND WEST PROPOSAL & PRESENTATION *30-45 MINUTES
6.DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSAL & PRESENTATION BY KERNS AND WEST BY THE
AD HOC TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
7.VOTE ON WHETHER TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT KERNS AND WEST BE
SELECTED AS THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR/FACILITATOR FOR THE AD HOC TRUTH &
RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
8.VOTE ON WHETHER TO APPROVE THE AMENDED BUDGET PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON
AUGUST 17, 2021 (DISCUSSION ONLY IF NEEDED)
9.ADJOURNMENT
*The times listed in the agenda are the anticipated duration of that particular agenda item. The
actual discussion may take more or less time than anticipated.
If you will need a disability-related accommodation to participate in this meeting please contact
the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early
requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your accessibi lity needs.
AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #3
• LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
AGENDA ITEM #4
• KERNS & WEST RESPONSE TO RFP FOR THE AD HOC TRUTH
AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
AGENDA ITEM #8
• AMENDED BUDGET AS OF AUGUST 17, 2021
Response to Iowa City
Facilitator for the Ad Hoc Truth and
Reconciliation Commission
Request for Proposal
Submitted by Kearns & West
Primary Contact:
Sharif Ebrahim
Principal
sebrahim@kearnswest.com
Phone: (415) 697-0568
Submitted:
July 14, 2021
Page 2 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
July 14, 2021
Subject: Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
To Whom it May Concern:
Kearns & West in partnership with a national team of experts in truth and reconciliation, human
rights, mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, policing, and social justice (hereafter
referred to as the Kearns & West Team) is pleased to present you with our experience and
qualifications for the Facilitator for the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission proposal.
Kearns & West works with many clients (similar to the City of Iowa City) on projects that deal with
sensitive topics related to equity and inclusion. Through all our projects we provide collaborative
solutions for achieving client goals in this new COVID-19 environment.
As a woman-owned small business, our firm possesses over 35 years of experience designing and
facilitating collaborative processes that help government agencies identify priorities and develop
strategies for advancing their missions. In a time where budgets are tight and project stakeholders
are geographically distanced, City of Iowa City needs tailored solutions for conducting outreach
and engagement to a diverse set of communities. We assemble project teams that meet our
clients’ unique needs with staff who are skilled in aiding in the development of high-performance
engagement plans campaigns, executing outreach to a diverse set of stakeholders, and facilitating
coordination among members of multi-agency partnerships. In the last year we have facilitated
five “Truth and Reconciliation” projects for cities across the US. With each project we have
achieved successes by bringing to bear our experience in facilitation, equitable and inclusive
stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, process design, project management, and the
underlying technologies that support all aspects of our projects.
In order for the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to be successful, facilitators
must create safe environments where parties can be heard. At Kearns & West, our toolkit of
facilitative best practices allows participants to identify needs and advance outcome-oriented
dialogues and decision making. We create safe space for participants to share convergent and
divergent perspectives and move candid conversation toward consensus. When consensus is
elusive, we still ensure that all parties feel that they were heard and that there is a plan to go
forward.
Leading our team is Dr. Larry Schooler, who is currently facilitating the Racial Equity in Policing
Commission for Salt Lake City, Utah, and Community Task Force on Policing in Elgin, Illinois. An
award-winning mediator, facilitator, and public engagement consultant, Dr. Schooler’s first book
examined policing in America through the lens of a Southern town’s approach to combatting
white nationalists. Dr. Schooler will serve as lead facilitator and work with the TRC to provide
strategic direction for the public engagement process. He will also serve as primary point of
contact between the Kearns & West team and the client.
Page 3 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Additionally, Eduardo Gonzalez, formerly of the International Center for Transitional Justice and
now of the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation at George Mason University, will serve as a senior
advisor to our team, offering guidance on how to structure TRC meetings, fact-finding events and
process, truth-telling events, and reconciliation events. Mr. Gonzalez has provided direct support
to truth and reconciliation commissions in both the U.S. and worldwide. We also have team
members with direct ties to – and life and work experience in – Iowa City and the State of Iowa,
including Director Kyle Vint. We are also being advised by Aaron Page of the University of Iowa.
Both he and Mr. Vint will help our team connect with key community partners and understand
local and regional context during implementation. Finally, our facilitation team includes Shaphan
Roberts, a noted expert on police-community relations who oversees the community mediation
program for the Los Angeles Police Department, and Dante James, a national thought leader in
diversity, equity, and inclusion who has served on the leadership teams of several municipal
governments. Both Mr. Roberts and Mr. James will assist with TRC meeting design and facilitation.
Thank you for this opportunity to present our qualifications to support Iowa City. Should you have
any questions about our response, please do not hesitate to contact me at
sebrahim@kearnswest.com or (415) 697-0568.
Sincerely,
Sharif Ebrahim
Managing Principal
Page 4 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Table of Contents
Proposed Project Work and Implementation Plan ............................................................................................. 5
Our Approach ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Kearns & West’s Relevant Experience ..................................................................................................................... 8
Proposed Project Timeline ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Price Schedule ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
Company Information Form .................................................................................................................................... 18
References....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Wage Theft Policy ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
Contract Compliance Form ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A: Project Team Resumes ..................................................................................................................... 28
Appendix B: Strategic Advisor Resumes .............................................................................................................. 49
Page 5 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
ITEM B: Proposed Project Work and Implementation Plan
Our Approach
Iowa City seeks strategy, meeting design, facilitation services, and community engagement
guidance to support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). For this process,
the Kearns & West team will bring decades of experience with both truth and reconciliation
commissions and with facilitation, mediation, conflict resolution, and community engagement to
provide expert guidance to all aspects of the TRC’s work. We will coordinate closely with the TRC’s
leadership as well as City staff including the City Manager’s office, communications department,
and others to develop an overall work plan, which we will monitor and modify as needed. We will
also advise on strategic approaches for the TRC’s deliberations and recommendations, facilitate
meetings and develop meeting agendas, provide technical support as needed, draft meeting
summaries, conduct research, and coordinate with TRC members as appropriate. We intend to
play a significant role in recommending a structure for the TRC’s fact-finding, truth-telling, and
reconciliation activities based on our experience with TRCs worldwide. At all points in our work,
we intend to provide recommendations to the TRC and the City and seek feedback as to the
preferred approach; our role is to provide guidance and take direction from the TRC.
Based on our past experience supporting similar initiatives around the nation and the world, we
believe that the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commissions will need to incorporate at least
the following elements:
• It must feel authentic.
• It must be designed to:
o build community trust.
o provide an environment that allows community voices to be encouraged, respected,
and heard.
o understand, appreciate, and hear the passion and emotions that community members
will bring.
• It must be designed so that:
o the expectations of outcomes are clear.
• it is not felt as a “them vs. us” process or police will not engage.It must be designed with
and understanding:
o of the decision-making process, (e.g., by majority vote, two-thirds majority,
consensus, a hybrid approach, etc.)
o of how Iowa City government functions.
o how the Iowa City Police Department functions.
• The City’s communication must be clear, honest, authentic, and consistent. If the
communication is not as noted, community members will create their own narrative
about the work, which usually will be that it is doing nothing, or it is the “same old words
with no action.”
Page 6 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Listening Sessions / Community Engagement Approach
Our team proposes to facilitate fact-finding and truth-telling for the Iowa City community and the
TRC in a variety of ways and contexts. These can include face-to- face events if deemed safe during
COVID-19 recovery as well as several other engagement strategies outlined below.
Interactive, In-Person Events (where possible under COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions): To
ensure maximum participation from the broadest possible cross-section of the Iowa City
community, we suggest partnering with community groups and leaders and organizations who
represent immigrant and other vulnerable communities. Events that are organized jointly by the
TRC and trusted nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship and social service agencies,
have been found to attract larger audiences and engender deeper levels of trust in the process.
Face-to-face interactive events will be held at locations around the city that would be acceptable
and recognized by community members. In-person events will be most meaningful when they
give people who come from different perspectives or backgrounds the opportunity to listen to
and learn from one another, as part of fact-finding, truth-telling, and (eventually) reconciliation.
To maximize accessibility, simultaneous translation services and equipment should be available
for members of the monolingual Spanish speaking community, to the extent Iowa city staff believe
such a service would be warranted. We also suggest engaging community partner groups and
leaders to conduct sessions in Spanish and provide translation in English. Events should also be
held at venues compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and near public transportation.
These events must be designed for the TRC, city leaders and staff, to listen and learn. The
facilitation team will work to ensure that all participants have a safe space to express their views
and feel comfortable sharing their perspectives. Other possible public engagement methods
include:
• Socially distanced canvassing, both door-to-door in residential neighborhoods and in “pop-
up” stations at popular destinations or events around the city. At these stations, trained
student and community volunteers (maybe TRC members) will collect testimonies, particularly
in areas that have been impacted the most by interactions with the police. We would set up a
web portal and/or other means for the volunteers to report back on what they heard.
• A local or toll free confidential voicemail that people can call to record their testimony orally;
• A system for receiving confidential text messages and/or WhatsApp/Snapchat messages.
• An online, carefully moderated (i.e., facilitated) discussion board, with open-ended questions
designed to encourage discussion among members of the community.
• A live, broadcast community listening session that the public can join by calling in, texting in,
or posting on social media, in both English and Spanish, modeled after similar broadcasts
provided to New York City, the City and County of Denver, Salt Lake City’s Racial Equity in
Policing Commission, and elsewhere. done elsewhere.
• A training of a “Conversation Corps” of volunteers who are given a discussion/testimony
collection guide to take to anyone — either a formal group (like a homeowner's association,
church group, etc.) or an informal group (friends, coworkers, etc.) to stimulate dialogue on
topics relevant to the TRC. Our team will train Conversation Corps members in active listening
Page 7 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
and facilitation and develop a discussion guide. An easy-to-use web portal or other platform
will be used to receive reports back from hosts on what they heard. Members of the
“Conversation Corps” (modeled after an award-winning program from Austin, Texas) will be
invited to serve as small group facilitators at public events.
• A “Meeting in a Box” designed to allow community or informal groups to self-facilitate
conversations aimed at achieving reconciliation.
It is critical that the TRC be able to accept testimony in a variety of forms and with variable levels
of public access. Some participants may want to speak at a public forum, while others would prefer
to speak to someone privately. Some may want to contribute their thoughts in writing, while
others may prefer speaking. Some may want their name attached to their testimony, while others
may want to remain anonymous. Lastly, some may want external researchers, reporters, or other
interested parties to be able to read their testimony, while others may want it only shared with
the TRC and then expunged.
TRCs have historically taken many different approaches to inviting and collecting testimony:
o Greensboro TRC invited specific speakers to its public hearings.
o Maine TRC did not host many public events to receive testimony
o Canada’s TRC did provide dozens of events (small and large) throughout the country. At
these events, many of which were livestreamed or broadcast nationally, attendees could
testify and join smaller conversations aimed at reconciling Canadians with one another—
particularly those from indigenous First Nations and those who identify as white or
Caucasian.
Kearns & West is proposing a hybrid approach for Iowa City’s TRC. Given the incredible response
to Canada’s open call for testimony, we propose that Iowa City’s TRC take a similar approach,
allowing for any member of the public to participate at its public events in either a large or small
group setting. It is also important to consider whether speakers should be given time limits;
Canada eschewed time limits and allowed for people to speak as long as they wished, while
Greensboro imposed time limits. Also, TRCs often take differing approaches to their witnesses—
some (like Greensboro) ask them questions, while others listen quietly (Canada). We recommend
that the Iowa City TRC take the opportunity to ask questions where possible and provide guidance
to those planning to testify as to what they are most interested in learning from them.
In small group settings, we propose to create discussion guides that enable facilitators to guide
reconciliatory conversations of the sort the TRC hopes to have, particularly between community
members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which
people of color experience discrimination and injustice (e.g., police and protesters, landlords and
tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business owners and staff, etc.).
We will draw from our extensive experience working with police-community dialogues, as well as
TRC sessions and other municipal public dialogues, to design these events.
Page 8 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
TRC Meetings
We propose that the TRC continue with meetings twice monthly but recommend that these
meetings alternate between the full TRC, subcommittee meetings, and community events. We
propose that the TRC Chair and Vice Chair meet with our team as soon after our Notice to Proceed
as possible to discuss roles, and that they have final say over agenda content and speak on the
TRC’s behalf. In this capacity the chair and Vice Chair will help address any issues that arise with
TRC members, while the facilitation team helps guide the meetings and discover group consensus.
Regular reporting will be made to the City Council and within the process determined to
communicate to the community.
Communications
The Kearns & West team will work with the Iowa City Communications Department to assist in the
maintenance of the official TRC website where all TRC information (e.g., members bio’s, agendas,
meeting minutes, reports, recommendations, handouts, surveys) will reside. We propose that this
website include an interactive component that allows members of the community to share
testimony and assist with fact-finding, modeled after websites such as SpeakUpAustin.org or
RiseTogetherDenver.org.
Work Product
While a final synthesis of recommendations will be created, the Kearns and West team will produce
and present quarterly recommendations within different areas, if possible. Community activists
and those communities who feel they are being harmed every day will not wait through a year-
long bureaucracy for a series of recommendations that may or may not be accepted.
Kearns & West’s Relevant Experience
Our proposed approach is based on our experience implementing projects of comparable size
and scope. Below we highlight our three most relevant projects and the impact achieved (see
item E for full references).
For the Racial Equity in Policing Commission (Salt Lake City, UT), our team provided
facilitation, meeting design, community engagement strategy and facilitation, and reporting to a
20-member body established by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the City Council. Our
work included multiple fact-finding and truth-telling events, including a televised town hall
attended by more than 1,000 residents who participated in multiple languages. We also
conducted reconciliation exercises with police officers and commissioners. Our team helped the
Commission generate consensus recommendations across multiple areas of police operations, all
of which have been adopted by Salt Lake City Police Department and budgeted for by the Salt
Lake City Council.
For the Community Task Force on Policing (Elgin, IL), our team is currently providing strategic
guidance, meeting design, facilitation, community engagement strategy and facilitation, and
reporting. We assisted with the selection of Task Force members, provided briefings to the City
Page 9 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Council, and are designing and facilitating the Task Force’s meetings, as well as providing
recommendations on community fact-finding, truth-telling, and reconciliation sessions.
For the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Eduardo Gonzalez served on the
managerial team, leading the organization of the commission’s public hearings, and contributing
to the preparation of its Final Report. From his country’s Truth Commission, he went on to serve
at the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) where he led the Truth and Memory
Program, supporting the work of about twenty truth commissions and similar initiatives in all
continents, and building transitional justice capacity among hundreds of practitioners around the
world.
From these projects, we gained the following best practices and lessons learned that will be
applied to the TRC to ensure its success.
• Ensure that the TRC provides opportunities to all members of the community to participate
in fact-finding, truth-telling, and reconciliation, across a variety of engagement platforms
(in-person events, use of phone and text messaging, online, multiple languages).
• Make sure to attend to truth-telling carefully and diligently prior to any efforts at
reconciliation. Honor the conflicting truths shared by those giving testimony to the TRC.
Create a safe and brave space for all to share their truths.
• Honor requests by participants to secure their testimonies—e.g., anonymously, privately,
for TRC use only, or public as requested.
Proposed Project Timeline
Task 1: Convening and Understanding
Proposed Timeline: Months 1-2
Purpose: Understand the purpose and role of the TRC and the participants’ and City’s interests,
opportunities, and challenges.
Activities:
• Background research
• Develop strategy, agenda and materials for Task Force kick off meeting
• Kick-off meeting with City of Iowa City staff team, TRC Chair and Vice-Chair
• 1-on-1 interviews with TRC members, selected City staff/Council members
• Develop overall workplan and meeting schedule
Deliverables:
• Kick-off meeting agenda and presentation materials
• Kick-off meeting coordination and facilitation
• Draft and final kick-off meeting summary and action items
• Online survey - beta test and final
Page 10 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Draft and final summary of survey results
• Draft and final workplan and schedule
Key assumptions:
• Task Force meeting kickoff - virtual 90-minute meeting hosted by the City.
• Weekly virtual coordination with City staff team
Task 2: Design of Fact-Finding/Truth-Telling/Reconciliation Process
Proposed Timeline: Months 2-3
Purpose: Assist the TRC and the City to design fact-finding, truth telling, and reconciliation
events and activities.
Activities:
• Conduct interviews via phone, video conference, and email/electronic survey with
community organizations to determine best way to engage their respective communities
• Report on findings to TRC
• Draft process design for public events and receive TRC/Staff feedback
• Revise and finalize process
• Draft discussion/interview guide and training for Conversation Corps and incorporate
TRC/City feedback
• Draft agenda/process for public fact-finding/truth-telling/reconciliation events and
incorporate TRC/City feedback
• Draft content for online portal to assist with fact-finding/truth telling and incorporate
TRC/City feedback
• Prepare/assist with content for traditional media release, social media, newsletter
content, and other means of outreach
• Prepare/assist with infographic/poster/flier depicting TRC public process, along with
content for possible public service announcement broadcast on radio/TV
Deliverables:
• See above
Key assumptions:
• TRC/Iowa City staff will provide feedback on consultant team deliverables within one
week of receipt; TRC will determine whether full TRC should review material or whether
Chair/Vice-Chair can represent their views.
• TRC / Iowa City staff to review and approve contacts before Kearns & West Team
conducts outreach.
• Iowa City staff will assist with logistics, distribution to media/social media, and other
agreed-upon tasks to carry out consultant team’s work. TRC members will assist as able
with outreach.
Page 11 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Task 3: Fact-Finding + Truth-Telling Public Process
Proposed Timeline: Months 3-5
Purpose: Work with TRC to carry out public events aimed at fact-finding and truth-telling
Activities:
• Assist TRC and City staff in coordinating logistics for in-person events
• Train Conversation Corps
• Prepare public-facing materials to assist attendees with participation
• Facilitate and/or help TRC members facilitate public events, including help with developing
script for events, questions for witnesses, etc.
• Analyze results of public events (testimonies, comments, etc.) and provide reports
Deliverables:
• See above
Key assumptions:
• TRC will determine appropriate roles for TRC members, Kearns & West Team, City
staff/personnel at in-person events
• Iowa City staff will assist at events with agreed-upon tasks to assist in carrying out work.
TRC members will assist as able with outreach
Task 4: TRC Meetings
Proposed Timeline: Months 3-9
Purpose: Assist TRC with conducting deliberations and creation of consensus.
Activities:
• Develop meeting strategy, proposed and annotated agendas, and presentation/meeting
materials
• Facilitate process to identify, recruit, and empanel members
• Coordinate and facilitate project team meetings and individual coordination meetings to
prepare for TRC meetings
• Coordinate and facilitate TRC meetings
• Facilitate necessary training for all TRC members of decision-making processes, city
bureaucracy, city support systems, etc.
• Facilitation of Subcommittees as requested
• Reporting to the Mayor and City Council
• Follow up with City staff team and TRC members as needed
• Develop meeting summaries and action items
Page 12 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Support TRC communication needs
• Follow-up to provide information
• Prepare any recommendations in subcommittee-specific areas that have been approved
by full TRC
Deliverables:
• Draft and final annotated and proposed agendas and presentation materials
• Meeting coordination and facilitation
• Draft and final meeting summaries and action items
Key assumptions:
• Kearns & West Team to provide draft materials within agreed upon review timeframes
for distribution by the TRC/City one week prior to Task Force meetings
• Kearns & West Team to participate with the TRC/City in up to 2 planning meetings with
City staff team per TRC meeting
• Kearns & West Team to participate in up to 2 individual coordination meetings with key
City departments per TRC meeting (if needed)
• Kearns & West Team to facilitate up to 15 TRC meetings up to 3 hours each, twice a
month, and follow a regularly set meeting schedule beginning in September 2021
through May 2022
• Kearns & West Team to develop meeting summaries following each TRC meeting for
review
• City of Iowa City to distribute TRC meeting information, agendas, and materials to TRC
members
• City of Iowa City to manage all media and public inquiries
• City of Iowa City to schedule and serve as the virtual host for Task Force meetings
• Assume 2 review rounds per deliverable (draft and final for distribution by City to Task
Force; refinements for final version from Task Force input)
Task 5: Report Compilation
Proposed Timeline: Months 7-9
Purpose: Document and summarize work of the Task Force, key outcomes, and
recommendations.
Activities:
• Continued facilitation of Subcommittees’ work and facilitation of TRC meetings
• Begin discussion of initial recommendations in specific areas of review
• Formulate subcommittee recommendations for review by TRC
• Facilitate TRC deliberations on subcommittee recommendations, discover TRC consensus
around proposals
• Compile information from TRC meeting summaries
Page 13 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Draft report
Deliverables:
• Draft and final report
Key assumptions:
• Assume up to 1 review
Task 6: Project Administration
Proposed Timeline: Throughout Project
Purpose: Manage project budget, schedule, and deliverables. Coordinate with City staff.
Activities:
• Update project work plan as needed
• Manage budget and schedule
Deliverables:
• Updated workplan, budget, and schedule, as needed
Key assumptions:
• Assumes monthly reporting on budget and progress
Page 18 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
ITEM D: Company Information Form
Page 22 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
ITEM E: References
Page 24 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
ITEM F: Wage Theft Policy
Page 28 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Appendix A: Project Team Resumes
Page 29 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
DR. LARRY SCHOOLER
PROJECT MANAGER & SENIOR FACILITATOR
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Dr. Schooler established the first public engagement division for the
City of Austin, Texas, one of the first of its kind nationally, where he
designed innovative and award- winning tools for involving the public
in decision-making like Conversation Corps and the reverse town hall
award-winning broadcast series “A View from You.” He also worked
extensively on matters related to climate action and sustainability,
facilitating on behalf of the City of Austin Office of Sustainability
across an array of topics including transportation and land use. He
has worked with municipal, county, state, and federal government
agencies, as well as nonprofit and religious organizations. His work
has been recognized by (among others) the National League of Cities,
the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the Harvard School
of Government. He also earned the Peacemaker Award from the
Austin Dispute Resolution Center for his efforts on a longstanding
community conflict. Dr. Schooler served as president of the
International Association for Public Participation (U.S. affiliate) and
has taught at Southern Methodist University and the University of
Texas at Austin. He is a senior fellow at the National Civic League and
the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas at
Austin and was a subject matter advisor for 100 Resilient Cities.
Prior to his work in government, Dr. Schooler produced stories for
National Public Radio and Voice of America, anchored live coverage,
and moderated public forums. He also has facilitated interfaith
dialogue and served as an ombudsman for the U.S. Department of
Defense. Dr. Schooler holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a
doctoral degree in conflict resolution from Nova Southeastern
University. He is the author of a manual entitled “Keys to an Effective
Public Meeting” and a forthcoming book on truth and reconciliation
commissions, entitled Truth Talks.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION/SOCIAL
JUSTICE
Racial Equity in Policing Commission (Salt Lake City, UT)
Larry is serving as co-facilitator of this large and diverse Commission
that convened in the wake of a highly controversial officer-involved
fatal shooting of a mentally disabled resident. Larry is designing and
facilitating Commission meetings and subcommittee meetings and
• Austin, Texas
• lschooler@kearnswest.com
• 512.387.4876
EXPERTISE
▪ Facilitation & Consensus Building
▪ Mediation
▪ Public Involvement
▪ Digital Engagement &
Technology
▪ Stakeholder Engagement &
Outreach
▪ Process Strategy
▪ Strategic Communications
▪ Strategic Planning
▪ Event Logistics & Management
▪ Project Management and
Execution
▪ Teaching & Training
▪ Public Policy
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
BA, History
Yale University | New Haven, CT
MS/PhD, Conflict Analysis and
Resolution
Nova Southeastern University | Davie,
FL
Page 30 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
designing/implementing a series of listening sessions and other public engagement opportunities to give
the general public a chance to influence the Commission’s work.
Community Task Force on Policing (Elgin, IL)
Larry is serving as lead facilitator of this diverse task force that convened in the wake of a highly controversial
officer-involved fatal shooting. Larry is assisting with evaluating applications to the Task Force, designing
and facilitating Task Force and subcommittee meetings, and designing/implementing a series of listening
sessions and other public engagement opportunities.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan
Larry co-designed and helped execute a comprehensive public engagement strategy for this award-winning
comprehensive plan. He designed and hosted public workshops, designed, and executed pop-up
engagement (“Speak Week”) at popular local destinations and events, hosted and produced telecast and
video content to guide the engagement process, and assisted with the management of relationships
between City staff and the Imagine Austin community task force. The comprehensive plan passed the
Council unanimously and received numerous awards for its approach to engagement.
Our Vision FTL
Dr. Schooler designed and oversaw implementation of a multi-faceted public engagement strategy for the
City of Fort Lauderdale’s visioning process. The outreach effort that took place was extensive, collecting
more than 1,500 unique ideas through a Visioning Committee, open houses, telephone town hall meetings,
meetings-in-a-box, the OurVisionFTL.com platform, the Big Ideas Fort Lauderdale event, and the
culminating Neighbor Summit. The process produced an unanimously endorsed vision plan known as Fast
Forward Fort Lauderdale that continues to guide City decisions to this day.
Code Next
Larry designed and co-facilitated the Community Advisory Group for Austin’s rewrite of its land
development code. He also provided consulting to project managers on the execution of public
engagement and facilitated public meetings.
Dove Springs and Montopolis City Manager’s Walks Coordinator
Larry designed and facilitated multi-stop walking tours of two underprivileged Austin neighborhoods led
by the City Manager and joined by more than a dozen City executives, along with neighborhood
stakeholders. He also helped coordinate responses by City departments to the myriad issues raised by the
walking tours
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Larry orchestrated the strategic planning process for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization at EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Project included situation assessment, meeting
design, mediation, facilitation, conflict, and leadership coaching
Page 31 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Texas Department of Transportation
Worked with University of Texas research team to develop and deliver two-day advanced public
engagement training for TXDOT employees. Project included training design and delivery
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Facilitator and Public Engagement Consultant
Larry designed and facilitated a strategic planning and team-building session for the Enhanced Family
Centered Safety Decision Making (EFCSDM) task force. He designed and analyzed a pre-retreat
questionnaire for participants and carefully orchestrated the day -long workshop, which resulted in
recommendations for team structure and process improvements that best fit the work proposed, and better
alignment to address challenges in current team dynamics and decision-making processes.
Visitor Impact Task Force Facilitator
Dr. Schooler served as lead staff and facilitator for the Visitor Impact Task Force, a 20-member group
examining how to make highest and best use of the economic impact of tourism. Dr. Schooler worked with
numerous City of Austin departments and external stakeholders to ensure that anyone with an interest in
the issues before the Task Force could be heard. He also successfully steered the Task Force to a set of
consensus recommendations that were unanimously approved.
Project Connect
Dr. Schooler oversaw public engagement for this multi-year effort designed to address the public
transportation needs for Central Texas. He crafted messaging and collateral, including an informational
video, to explain the need for deeper investment in public transportation. Dr. Schooler helped design and
facilitate public meetings, including a televised town hall, and helped analyze results of engagement.
Rideshare/Transportation Network Companies Stakeholder Group Facilitator and Public
Engagement Consultant
Larry facilitated this contentious series of discussions between Uber, Lyft, taxi dr ivers, other transportation
providers, disability rights advocates, students, commercial and personal insurance representatives, and the
City, to determine the best regulatory environment in which the parties could peaceably co -exist. Larry
helped the group identify its core interests and facilitated dialogue between stakeholders and staff to
determine the best ordinance to adopt.
Corpus Christi City Council Facilitator
Larry designed and co-facilitated a two-day retreat for this South Texas city of more than 350,000 residents.
He conducted nearly a dozen pre-retreat interviews and utilized a combination of technologies to complete
the retreat, which resulted in a vision of success, a statement of purpose, and a manageable set of strategic
priorities for the Corpus Christi City Council during its 2019-2020 term for the next two years of the Council’s
work.
City of Houston Trainer
Page 32 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Larry designed and delivered training to City employees on managing conflict and improving
communication and engagement with stakeholders. The project included situation assessment, training,
and conflict and leadership coaching
Street Smarts Task Force Facilitator/Mediator
Larry facilitated a stakeholder group and mediated a dispute among key stakeholders over the potential
creation of a “bicycle boulevard” down a significant thoroughfare in downtown Austin, where car lanes
would be reduced and bicycling prioritized. A group of stakeholders concerned about the future of Nueces
Street and neighboring downtown thoroughfares met over the course of approximately four weeks to
discuss a proposed “bicycle boulevard” project unveiled by the Public Works Department earlier this year.
Larry helped stakeholders develop a consensus policy recommendation: “Traffic calming on Rio Grande
Street that imposes minimal impact on vehicular mobility, capacity, and parking, and ensures safe and
convenient passage for cyclists and pedestrians.”
City of Miami Beach
Larry designed and delivered customized public engagement, facilitation, and conflict resolution training to
employees of multiple departments, as well as to the executive team, leading to a long -term consulting
contract. As part of that contract, Larry conducted focus groups, provided public engagement consulting,
analyzed internal and external conflicts among staff, the public, and management; and provided training to
employees and consultation to management. His work for the City of Miami Beach incl uded situation and
stakeholder assessments, conflict and leadership coaching, and training.
Animal Rescue Task Force
Larry designed and facilitated a lengthy series of meetings to address conflicts among those who work to
control Austin’s pet population. The group agreed that making Austin a “No Kill City” was the overall goal.
To work to this end, two key objectives were defined: increasing live outcomes and decreasing intake at the
Town Lake Animal Center. The meetings yielded an extensive list of suggestions to meet these objectives.
Larry also facilitated meetings to create broader options for dogs to have “off-leash” access and balance
recreation space for dogs with environmental protection of nearby waterways.
Public Engagement Audits (Chicago, DC, Scottsdale)
Larry worked with 100 Resilient Cities (Rockefeller Foundation) to design and deploy "audit" review of public
engagement practices in Chicago and Washington, DC. He co-designed and analyzed results of research
instruments, co-designed and delivered training to staff and facilitated workshop on action items for
inclusion in resiliency strategies.
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO)
Orchestrated strategic planning process for 22-member board and staff composed of jurisdictions across
seven-county region. Project included situation assessment, meeting design, mediation, facilitation, conflict,
and leadership coaching, as well as data analysis and reporting.
City of Austin Municipal Mediation
Page 33 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Larry mediated a range of disputes for numerous departments that involved permitting or other related
matters and a relatively small number of parties. He resolved several disputes around outdoor music near
residential properties; bureaucratic challenges with City processes; and the appropriate ways to modify
historic structures and sites. Larry also developed protocols for the City to utilize mediators from the Austin
Dispute Resolution Center; delivered training to mediators at the DRC; and enlisted DRC mediators as
facilitators during public workshop breakout sessions.
Municipal Civil Service Commission
After voters approved civil service for many City of Austin municipal employees, Larry facil itated the
meetings of the newly formed Municipal Civil Service Commission to develop rules and procedures for the
civil service system. Larry helped resolve conflicts among Commissioners and enabled the group to
complete its work and implement civil service protections for thousands of employees.
Forum/Conversations on Housing Affordability
Larry helped design and facilitate dozens of conversations and public engagement processes on behalf of
the City of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department on a range of issues
relating to housing affordability, including a policy to guide the location of City investments in affordable
housing, a state-of-the-art large public workshop where residents of affordable housing switched roles with
neighbors opposed to affordable housing development and participated in dialogue, and development of
a strategic plan for housing affordability.
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Community Health Assessment
Dr. Schooler helped design and facilitate community engagement for the Austin/Travis County Community
Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHA/CHIP) in 2013. He assisted in the design
and analysis of survey data, designed, and facilitated community meetings, and facilitated a multi-agency
steering committee at their planning retreat to help produce action items incorporated into the final Plan.
U.S. Department of Defense Ombudsman
Larry mediated and resolved disputes between members of the National Guard across all military branches
and their civilian employers. These disputes usually involved questions over the servicemember’s rights and
responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA).
Facilitation and Public Engagement Training Designer/Instructor
Larry designed and delivered training in public engagement and facilitation to dozens of City of Austin staff
members. Graduates of his courses later became part of a Public Engagement Community of Practice and
assisted as small group facilitators at subsequent public meetings.
PUBLICATIONS
• Truth Talks: Resolving Conflict Together in North America’s Truth and Reconciliation Commissions
• Facilitating Productive Public Meetings: A Manual
• Op-ed pieces in USA Today, Huffington Post, other newspapers, Harvard Kennedy School blog, etc.
Page 34 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Page 35 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
KYLE VINT
ADVISOR & DIRECTOR
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Kyle Vint is a director at Kearns & West with a background
in assessing and developing communication strategies in
scientific and environmental contexts. He has a master’s
degree and is completing a Ph.D. in Communication Studies
at the University of Iowa with concentration in evaluating
the persuasive capacities of stakeholders engaging in
environmental subject matters.
Kyle is an Eastern Iowa native with deep connections to
Iowa City. Kyle has experience planning and facilitating a
diversity of public events designed to promote
collaboration between expert and lay audiences. Kyle uses
his background in teaching courses at the University of Iowa
in public speaking, persuasion techniques and
argumentation, as well as his time directing the Iowa debate
team and numerous educational workshops, to assisting
stakeholders in locating opportunities for collaboration
within technically complex and contentious circumstances.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) —
Frying Pan Shoals Technical and Stakeholder
Workshops
Director | 2020 to 2021
Kearns & West worked with the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management to conduct a first-of-its-kind
multistakeholder, multi-agency planning process for
offshore sediment management near Frying Pan Shoals,
NC. Kyle led a team conducting over 25 situation
assessments with oceanographers, ocean geologists, ocean
biologists, and ocean habitat experts to provide a
framework for a scientific white paper summarizing
scientific knowledge of the ecology and biology of Frying
Pan Shoals. Kyle and the Kearns & West team designed and
facilitated a series of working group meetings with local
stakeholders, NMFS, USACE, and local natural resource
agencies to vet and review the white paper. Ultimately,
Kearns & West managed the translation of input from the
working group meetings into the formal development of a
• Washington, DC
• kvint@kearnswest.com
• 202.559.3672
EXPERTISE
o Strategic Communications
o Issue and Policy Research
o Stakeholder Assessment
o Material Development
o Messaging
o Collaborative Solutions
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
BA, Political Science
University of Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa
MA, Communication Studies
Baylor University | Waco, Texas
PhD Candidate, Communication
Studies
University of Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa
Page 36 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
BOEM Technical Report titled “Assessment of Frying Pan Shoals as a Potential Sand Source in the Cape Fear
Region in North Carolina.”
Commission for Environmental Cooperation — Toolkit and Training to Engage North American
Communities in Marine Litter Reduction Efforts
Senior Associate | 2019 to 2020
Kyle is working with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, under their project “Communi ty
Solutions for Reducing Marine Litter,” to help design a toolkit intended to assist local communities in
Canada, Mexico, and the United States identify locally tailored, low-technology actions that can assist in
reducing land-based marine litter. Kyle is managing the visual design and content development for the
toolkit and will lead the effort to translate feedback from multiple validation sessions into an updated and
revised toolkit.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Gulf of Mexico Offshore Wind Task Force
Director | 2021 to Present
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is launching a first of its kind taskforce in the Gulf of
Mexico, bringing together federal, state, and local partners to discuss the future of offshore wind
development and siting in the region. Kyle is working with BOEM to plan and coordinate the first major
public event for the taskforce that is expected to include participation from federal agency directors, state
governors, and other key decision makers. Kyle is managing technical considerations for the project,
selecting and setting up the appropriate webinar platform, ensuring day-of management of technical
logistics, and coordinating with BOEM on generating 508-compliant video recording files.
National Parks Service — Manhattan Project
Director | 2021
Kearns & West is supporting the US National Parks Service’s (NPS) effort to inform the interpretative
planning process for a new National Historical Park spanning three distinct locations (in Washington, New
Mexico, and Tennessee). Kyle is leading the Kearns & West team designing virtual engagement
approaches and planning processes for 14 virtual meetings designed to reach a diverse cross-section of
stakeholders to engage in dialogue about the legacy of the Manhattan Project, reach under-represented
groups with unique perspectives, and identify park themes for discussion. Kyle manages the development
of key show plan documents and the design and execution of virtual meeting formats.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Food-Hazard Pair Risk Ranking
Senior Associate | 2019 to 2020
As part of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint and as a key component of the
implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Kearns & West designed and facilitated a
series of scientist and subject matter expert workshops to reach consensus about the relative risk of over
a thousand food-hazard pairs. Kyle designed a tool for pre-workshop scoring and analysis of the food-
hazard pairs and coordinated, facilitated, and documented a series of expert elicitation and scoring
consensus workshops with dozens of experts across the FDA. Due to travel constraints, Kyle designed a
process for holding the scoring and consensus building workshops virtually, creating the necessary data
visualizations, read ahead materials, and virtual facilitation plans to successfully finalize scoring for each
food-hazard pair.
Page 37 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Ocean Data and Geospatial Infrastructure Project
(ODGIP)
Director | 2020 to 2021
Kearns & West is facilitating a bureau-wide effort to provide standardized, enterprise and web geospatial
activities to BOEM’s regions and programs. Kyle is managing the project which includes a bureau-wide
infrastructure assessment and survey process and a series of needs assessment workshops with staff from
every BOEM office, program, and region. Kyle is the lead facilitator and planner for the assessment
workshops which entail facilitation of regular committee meetings, leadership briefings, large group
workshops, and one-on-one interviews. Kyle will manage the team translating outcomes from the
assessment workshops into a series of technical documents, system designs, and business cases for
bureau leadership consideration.
City of Colorado Springs – Connect COS
Director | 2021
Colorado Springs is launching a citywide visionary transportation study, ConnectCOS to help create a
transportation plan that reflects the evolving needs of our community. Kearns & West is providing
facilitation and outreach support services for the City. Kyle provided planning and virtual engagement
support for a major simulcasted meeting, including support in the creation of a virtual facilitation plan,
platform setting selection, and dry-run and presenter support. Kyle fulfilled the role of ‘producer’
ensuring that presenter transitions, shared materials, direct engagement with the public, and continued
livestreaming needs continued according to schedule.
City of Gainesville (FL) — Commission Meeting Support
Director | 2021
Kyle is working with the City of Gainesville, Florida, to facilitate public comment and participation in city
meetings in light of Covid-19. Kearns & West assists identifying and implementing technological
approaches that allow for members of the public to call in and share comment during city meetings. The
team manages caller queues, sorts callers to the agenda items they intend to comment on, and interfaces
with elected officials and city staff to introduce members of the public for comment at designated times.
To help ensure effective organization of members of the public waiting to comment, and to ensure that the
meeting and meeting broadcast are unaffected by background interaction with callers, the team manages
a webinar system and secondary call system that can be bridged during comment periods.
California Natural Resources Agency — California 30x30 Initiative
Director | 2021
The Resources Legacy Fund (RLF), on behalf of the California Natural Resources Agency (Agency or CNRA),
has hired Kearns & West to provide stakeholder engagement process support and communications support
for Agency’s development of its strategy to conserve 30 percent of lands by 2030 . Kyle is assisting CNRA in
designing and implementing an inclusive stakeholder engagement process that enables CNRA to effectively
engage interested constituencies as it develops the 30x30 Pathways Document and the Natural and
Working Lands Climate Smart Lands Strategy (Climate Smart Lands Strategy). Kyle is providing strategic
guidance and planning support for a suite of engagement meetings.
US Chamber of Commerce — Beyond 34
Director | 2020
Page 38 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Kearns & West was asked to facilitate a workshop for over 80 people in Cincinnati, Ohio that was upended
three days prior to the meeting by COVID-19. Kearns & West quickly overhauled the agenda, convening
participants
virtually. Kyle helped to develop a collaborative platform allowing for information exchange, manag ed chat
functionality, built and structured the webinar platform, and integrated and managed polling technology
during the meeting. He also managed the editing and hosting of the video recording for participants who
were not able to attend.
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) — Regional, Multimodal Payment and Data
Aggregator / Mobility Wallet
Senior Associate | 2019 to 2020
Kearns & West is providing facilitation services for the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT)
Regional, Multimodal Payment and Data Aggregator / Mobility Wallet Services RFP Preparation Support.
Using the Airtable collaborative database platform, Kyle led core team interactions as part of a data -driven
visioning process to define internal DDOT and key stakeholder WMA TA’s interests for this product. Kyle
facilitated discussion to identify potential requirements, clarify interests in achieving requirements, refine
data and research gaps to inform ongoing market and vendor research, and then crystalize requirements
in an interactive requirements tool that defined a “snapshot” of Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
requirements along with value-added features. Kyle also provided general research support of community
relations implications and evaluating stakeholder buy-in and approaches that create a foundation for
continued engagement alongside successful procurement and product implementation.
California High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) — California High Speed Rail Program
Senior Associate | 2020
The California High-Speed Rail Authority is responsible for planning, designing, building, and operating the
first high-speed rail in the nation. Kearns & West leads stakeholder engagement and outreach efforts to
support environmental review of two sections of the High-Speed Rail Project: San Francisco to San Jose and
San Jose to Merced. Due to COVID-19, scheduled public meetings and workshops were transitioned to
virtual environments. Kyle helped to design and execute a virtual webinar structure that allowed participants
to join via phone or broadband, and included simultaneous translation services for Spanish, Chinese, and
Vietnamese. As a webinar manager, Kyle oversaw participant management, technical assistance, breakout
rooms, and other functionality.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Graphics Facilitation
Director | 2019 to Present
Kyle is managing the design and production of video and graphic products associated with the
development of the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Program Environmental Impact Statement
and Program Document. BOEM is working to develop visual modes of communication, including videos,
scientific illustrations and graphics that can assist in communicating with the public. Kyle manages the
development of multiple videos and hand-drawn scientific graphics, including ideation workshops,
storyboarding, translation of scientific findings, and product review cycles.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands Discovery Meetings Support
Director | 2020
Page 39 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Adjusting to travel restrictions resulting from COVID-19, Kyle worked with FEMA Region IX to assess options
for virtually hosting planned Discovery Meetings designed to facilitate complex risk assessment and
mapping conversations. Kyle designed a step-by-step facilitation and meeting plan for training and use by
FEMA staff, including on multiple dry runs. The guides detail key meeting needs, staffing requirements,
technical specifications, and discussion options from months in advance of the meeting through meeting
follow up. Working with FEMA staff, Kyle identified technical and cultural constraints to ensure that all
approaches were workable and approachable for identified stakeholders.
Arlington County (VA) — Water and Sewer Rate Study Civic Engagement
Senior Associate | 2019 to Present
Kyle is assisting Arlington County, Virginia’s civic engagement efforts as part of their Water and Sewer Utility
Rate Study. The study assesses whether its existing rate structure is aligned with County pricing objectives,
and models rate alternatives that may better suit the financial and operational needs of the County-owned
utility and its customers. Kyle has facilitated interviews across Arlington County agencies, led the design of
project infographics, developed a robust civic engagement plan, and is assisting in managing civic
engagement alignment with ongoing technical study and rate development activities.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) White Paper
Senior Associate | 2019
Kyle is working with BOEM to create a set of scientifically accurate and publicly accessible graphics depicting
the effects of EMF on marine species. In this process, Kyle is facilitating a process to visually translate key
findings detailed in the BOEM EMF White Paper through hand-drawn figures. Kyle is developing and
implementing a revision process designed to incorporate feedback from scientists and subject -matter
experts into visual design while maintaining adherence to core public accessibility objectives.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Atlantic Environmental Assessment (EA) Graphics
Senior Associate | 2019 to Present
Kyle worked with BOEM to create a set of scientifically accurate and publicly accessible graphics for use in
the EA assessing the environmental impacts of development in wind leasing areas in the NY Bight. The
graphics are intended to assist BOEM in reducing EA word counts while maximizing public accessibility. Kyle
is facilitating a process to visually translate key findings detailed in the EA through hand-drawn figures. Kyle
is developing and implementing a revision process designed to incorporate feedback from scientists and
subject-matter experts into visual design while maintaining adherence to core public accessibility and text
reduction objectives.
City of Fort Worth — Litter Draft Litter Ordinance, Litter & Illegal Dumping Handbook, and Quick
Reference/User Guide
Associate | 2019 to Present
Kyle is supporting the City of Fort Worth’s effort to design a new litter ordinance and associated materials.
He was responsible for developing a peer-city guide that assessed ordinance structure and design for other
“best in class” litter cities, both domestically and internationally. In addition to this, Kyle ran interviews with
municipal staff from a selection of peer cities, detailing innovative ordinance design, enforcement structures,
and outreach efforts employed by other cities. In coordination with the City of Fort Worth’s Environmental
Quality Division, Kyle is assisting in drafting a new litter ordinanc e and handbook to be used throughout
the City’s enforcement structure to harmonize code enforcement structure and approach.
Page 40 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) — Communications Support
Associate | 2018 to Present
Kyle is working with the NWCC to expand their outreach activities and to enhance communications,
coordinating a wide array of stakeholders interested in addressing challenges to the wind industry posed
by impacts to wildlife. Kyle has aided in the preparation of monthly NWCC newslett ers by identifying key
topics, drafting text, formatting, and editing mailers, employing email marketing system technology for
distribution. Seeking to broaden the reach and deepen engagement with NWCC products, Kearns & West
is undertaking an outreach analysis to identify additional target venues and to plan future product
development.
AT&T California — Media Relations
Senior Associate | 2018 to 2020
Kyle works closely with AT&T’s public affairs team to monitor online, print and broadcast media nationwide
in support of the client’s public affairs needs and strategic objectives.
King County Capacity Charge Affordability Study — and Customer Assistance Program Development
Associate | 2018 to 2019
Kyle provided engagement and facilitation for internal stakeholder dialogues with King County program
staff and leadership to assess existing capacity charge needs and impacts to affordable housing from
capacity charge increases. He provided communications support to frame and present Customer Assistance
Program options for discussion and decision making by the Advisory Committee. With the approval of
program options, Kyle also helped to design public involvement and outreach campaigns to support
selected Customer Assistance Programs to increase awareness and adoption of program benefits.
American Water Works Association (AWWA) — Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Communication
Associate | 2018 to 2019
Kyle provided content development and materials design support for the creation of a set of d ocuments
for use by water practitioners in building community trust, understanding, and long-term support while
addressing SDWIS violations reports. Kyle applied the best practices of health and risk communication
principals to several tip-sheets and users guides designed to support water practitioners operating in a
diverse set of contexts. Moreover, Kyle managed the material and graphic design of documents, applying
branding principles across all documents and infographics.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: MEETING FACILITATION AND SUPPORT
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Gulf of Mexico Offshore Wind Taskforce
Director | 2021 to Present
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is launching a first of its kind taskforce in the Gulf of
Mexico, bringing together federal, state, and local partners to discuss the future of offshore wind
development and siting in the region. Kyle is working with BOEM to plan and coordinate the first major
public event for the taskforce that is expected to include participation from federal agency directors, state
governors, and other key decision makers. Kyle is managing technical considerations for the project,
selecting and setting up the appropriate webinar platform, ensuring day-of management of technical
logistics, and coordinating with BOEM on generating 508-compliant video recording files.
Page 41 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — Grazing Scoping Meetings
Senior Associate | 2019 to 2020
In preparation for the first updates to grazing regulations governing all public lands, specifically 155 million
acres of lands in the western United States suitable for livestock grazing, BLM engaged in a series of NEPA-
driven Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Meetings. Kyle managed logistical and design support for
BLM’s public meeting strategy, including the development of outreach materials, digital project needs
assessment, and facilitation planning. Kyle coordinated the projects logistics, including managing venue
acquisition for four meetings, travel scheduling for eight staff, publicizing meetings in local and national
print news sources, shipping project materials to all meeting locations, and design and development of
handouts and posters.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Marine Minerals Program Gulf of Mexico Sand
Management Working Groups
Senior Associate | 2018 to 2019
Kyle worked with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to design, facilitate, and support hybrid
(in-person and remote participation) meetings with stakeholders around offshore sediment resources in the
Gulf of Mexico. The meetings brought together federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the academic
and non-governmental community to discuss sediment and sand management for coastal resiliency
projects in the region. Kyle worked with meeting organizers to design agendas and facilitation strategies
that provide opportunities for remote and in -person engagement. Kyle oversaw planning with venues and
audio / video vendors to design hardware systems that meet BOEM’s hybrid meeting needs. Following the
meeting, Kyle drafted and distributed a meeting summary outlining key outcomes and points of discussion
for presentations.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Gulf of Mexico Offshore Sediment Management
Federal/State/Industry Roundtable Meeting
Senior Associate | 2019
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a roundtable meeting, bringing together
representatives from federal, state and industry to discuss offshore sediment management in the Gulf of
Mexico region, share updates on activities, and to identif y future topics for discussion. In designing the
meeting, Kyle helped manage and execute a series of interviews with members of state agencies and
industry representatives, identifying important discussion topics and areas for sustained communication.
He assisted in facilitating the meeting and drafted a meeting summary that was distributed to all
participants.
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) — Prototype Nuclear MicroReactor NEPA Scoping and Public
Outreach
Senior Associate | 2020
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, SCO held a public scoping meeting to inform
topics of consideration for a planned Environmental Impact Statement regarding the construction of a
mobile nuclear reactor. Kyle assisted the effort by designing the technical approach to the scoping meeting,
particularly the live broadcast and recording of the meeting. Due to COVID-19, the meeting was shifted to
Page 42 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
entirely digital. Kyle spearheaded the digital transition, developing a timeline for recording the session
remotely and publishing the video to YouTube while meeting 508 compliance requirements .
Great Lakes Commission on Asian Carp — Brandon Road Lock and Dam Collaboration Meeting
Senior Associate | 2019
Kyle assisted in facilitating a two-day meeting bringing together the US Army Corps of Engineers with 10
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence States and Provinces to discuss a US Army Corps of Engineers project at the
Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Kyle worked with the states and provinces to develop a meeting a pproach
that fostered collaborative efforts to better understand the contours of the USACE proposal and to detail
regional support for deterring the spread invasive species. Working with state and provincial public affairs
offices, Kyle managed the drafting and issuance of a press release that was co-released by all represented
parties. Kyle drafted a summary of the proceedings, incorporating federal and state/provincial feedback
into the document prior to final distribution.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — 2020-2025 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leasing Program Public Involvement
Associate | 2018 to 2019
Kyle provides logistical and design support for BOEM’s public engagement strategy, including the
development of outreach materials and public meeting support for BOEM’s 2020 – 2025 Draft Proposed
Program and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas leasing on the outer
continental shelf. Kyle is also assisting with coordinating logistical approaches to meeting BOEM ’s
audio/visual equipment needs, identifying and contracting needed meeting security, and publicizing
meetings in local and national print news sources.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Marine Minerals Program (MMP)
Strategic Planning Meeting
Director | 2020
Kyle helped to facilitate a four-day virtual strategic planning workshop for the BOEM Marine Minerals
Program including leadership and full program participation. In these efforts, Kyle designed the digital
engagement approach, provided support in planning, including agenda design, presentation / session
strategy, and coordinating pre-meeting preparations and logistics. Kyle served as webinar manager,
facilitating multiple rounds of breakouts, integrated polling exercises, Q&A sessions, live document
annotation, and ice breaker exercises.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — Marine Minerals Program (MMP) Strategic
Planning Meeting
Associate | 2018 to 2019
Kyle helped to facilitate a three-day strategic planning workshop for the BOEM Marine Minerals Program
including leadership and full program participation. In these efforts, Kyle provided support in planning,
including agenda design, presentation / session strategy, and coordinating pre-meeting preparations and
logistics. Following the meeting, Kyle developed an action-oriented work plan and holistic meeting
summary.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — 2019-2024 Five-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program
– Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Page 43 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Associate | 2018
Kyle assisted in designing and facilitating BOEM PEIS Writing Team engagement to identify substantive
needs and develop a shared vision for graphic and written representation as part of BOEM’s Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the five-year oil and gas leasing program (2019-2024.) Through
this process, Kyle aided the Writing Team by assessing and recommending graphic approaches to meet EIS
communications, graphics, page limit, and substantive requirements. Kyle helped to develop hand-drawn
scientific illustrations for incorporation in EIS documents and organized and managed revision processes to
incorporate feedback from BOEM leadership and program staff.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Clean Air Markets Division Retreat
Associate | 2018
Kyle assisted with facilitating the EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division’s 2018 retreat. Using interviews with
critical Clean Air Market Division staff, Kyle aided in outlining and defining core retreat objectives that were
reflected in the meeting agenda. Kearns & West developed a polling platform that allowed for real-time
word cloud analysis and for participants to establish topics to discuss throughout the retreat. Kyle’s
responsibilities included the development of a final report detailing outcomes from the meeting and
outlining ongoing opportunities for inter-branch collaboration.
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) — November Workshop
Associate | 2018
Kyle assisted in facilitating a two-day workshop with participants from AWEA and the Unit ed States Fish
and Wildlife Service to review and explore options for Hazard Mitigation Planning surrounding bat species.
Kyle organized interviews with various meeting participants to build an agenda that covered relevant and
necessary topics and aided in identifying core meeting objectives to guide discussion. During the workshop,
Kyle drafted a summary of workshop proceedings, incorporating feedback from participants into a finalized
summary and post-meeting roadmap for continued issue exploration.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: COLLABORATIVE TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES
Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ONRL) — National Hydropower
Asset Assessment Program Website Migration
Associate | 2018
Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s National Hydropower Asset Assessment Program (NHAAP) migrated its
website to an updated version of the Drupal web content management platform and modified site content
to reflect the most up to date NHAAP projects. Kearns & West has assisted ORNL in this process, providing
technical support and ensuring that the website migration enhances user experience when navigating the
site. Kyle has supported the migration through the application of website navigation best practices,
verification of successful NHAAP web-asset migration, and technical and visual quality control across the
newly migrated website.
Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ONRL) — Environmental Decision
Support: Science-based Tools for Hydropower Stakeholder Collaboration
Director | 2019 to Present
Page 44 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) is supporting ORNL’s Environmental Decision Support
(EDS) initiative. This effort will develop a suite of science-based decision-making tools (the EDS Toolkit) to
assist stakeholders engaged in a hydropower licensing proceeding to determine what studies are
appropriate for a specific hydropower project. The EDS Toolkit will include a River Function Questionnaire,
links to additional DOE WPTO resources, and case study examples. The EDS Toolkit is intended to assist in
determining what studies are needed more effectively and efficiently by providing science-based, objective
information to inform dialogue and negotiations. The EDS project also includes a piloting phase that will
test the EDS Toolkit in actual hydropower licensing proceedings. Kearns & West was selected by ORNL to
provide strategic planning, process design, materials development, and facilitation services for the project.
Kyle led the technical development of the Questionnaire on the Qualtrics platform from inception to beta
product. Kyle has managed product testing and updates from user focus groups.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Office of the Administrator (AO) Performance Dashboard
Senior Associate | 2019
Kyle provided project support, translating outcomes from user-centered design interviews with US EPA
leadership into a technical specification document. The document identified major assumptions, team needs
and challenges cross-walking feedback with detailed requirements for technical design.
Page 45 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Sara Omar
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Sara Omar is a Senior Associate at Kearns & West with six years of
experience in environmental conflict analysis and resolution,
qualitative analysis, international relations, and facilitation. She
serves on the lead for the firm’s Equitable and Inclusive Engagement
(EIE) Team where she led the development of the EIE practice
statement. Sara is an advocate of deliberate actions and targeted
strategies are taken to ensure that underrepresented and vulnerable
communities participate and contribute definitively to decision-
making. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and
Resolution with a focus on environmental conflict resolution and
environmental justice. Prior to joining Kearns & West, Sara supported
the Department of the Interior’s Office of Collaborative Action and
Dispute Resolution (CADR) interviewing and collecting data from
Tribal contacts and practitioners working within the Department in
the field of Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution
(ECCR).
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
City of Elgin Community Task Force on Policing
Senior Associate | 2021 – Present
Sara supports the management and facilitation of a Community Task
Force on Policing in the City of Elgin, Illinois. The city council
approved the creation of a community task force on policing last
year. The Community Task Force on Policing will review the policies,
procedures and practices the Iowa Police Department (EPD) employs
to determine how EPD can most effectively and equitably deliver law
enforcement services to all members of the community. Elgin intends
to undertake a process that openly and objectively examines the
means and methods the EPD employs to support and sustain a safe
and inclusive community and explores how those means and
methods are perceived by the community. The Task Force’s ultimate
objective is to make recommendations for viable solutions to
enhance the EPD’s service to and relationship with Iowa’s residents,
visitors, businesses, and institutions.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Risk Assessment
Facilitation Support (Oregon)
Graphic and Facilitation Support | 2021-Present
• Washington, DC
• somar@kearnswest.com
• 202.559.3776
EXPERTISE
o Conflict Resolution Analysis
o Policy Research
o Collaborative Dispute
Resolution
o Material Development
o Meeting Facilitation
o Stakeholder Assessment
o Media and Politics
EDUCATION &
CERTIFICATIONS
M.S., Conflict Analysis and
Resolution, 2018
George Mason | Arlington, VA
B.A., International Politics,
2015
Page 46 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Sara is supporting EPA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) develop a series of
informational graphics on Health Risk Assessment in the Cleaner Air Oregon program. The graphics would
be used to educate communities about the Cleaner Air Oregon risk assessment process, specifically the
sources of air pollution, cancer risk, and risk action levels. Through assessment and facilitation, Sara is
leading dialogues with DEQ, Oregon Health Authority, community advocates, and facility representatives to
develop information graphics that convey clear messages from different perspectives.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Permitting Engagement Workshop (Minnesota)
Technology and Facilitation Support | 2020
During the air permitting process, the U.S. EPA and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hosted a three-
day virtual workshop aimed at increasing community engagement and building capacity in environmentally
overburdened and underserved communities. Kearns & West was enlisted to provide technical support and
provided facilitation, project management, and tech support (using MS Teams and Adobe Connect) for the
collaborative planning of the workshops and the virtual sessions themselves. Sara developed virtua l
platforms and provided facilitation and technical support.
California High Speed Rail (HSR), Environmental Justice Outreach
Associate | 2020
Sara supported the Project’s Environmental Justice (EJ) outreach team in strategic engagement with focus
communities in San Francisco to Merced, California to ensure that information about the Project is
appropriately and equitably disseminated. In this effort, Sara supported the team in grassroots
conversations with community service providers, community leaders and members on potential and
disproportionate impacts and benefits of the Project on their communities to inform the environmental
review process under CEQA/NEPA, as well as a robust community benefits effort. Sara supported with the
design and conduct of in-language meetings, webinars, and social media outreach.
Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) Environmental & Public Policy (EPP) Section
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-chair | 2018 to Present
Sara researched and drafted a report on challenges facing racially and ethnically diverse practitioners
entering the field of Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR). Focusing on diversity,
equity, and inclusion, Sara researched and documented the benefits of creating a mentorship program.
Additionally, Sara promotes diversity and equity within the EPP Section and field and among those that
engage with the field, by facilitating dialogue, building partnerships, and catalyzing action. Sara is currently
developing a Fellowship Program that aims to create opportunities for diverse students and young
professionals interested in working in the field of EPP.
Kearns & West Environmental Conflict Resolution Mediation Skills Program (Internal)
Senior Associate | 2019 to Present
Sara designed mediation webinars and training session curriculum and managed program logistics for in-
person training sessions for Kearns & West staff and provide program implementation support. In addition,
she developed a two-year workplan for the mediation program.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Residential Market
Advisory Group (RMAG)
Senior Associate | 2020 – Present
Page 47 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Sara is providing facilitation support for NYSERDA in their initiative of bringing residential market
stakeholders together to identify clean energy solutions. This consisted of convening an advisory group and
sub-committees that focused on specific topic areas. She also provides support in developing meeting
approaches, theme specific meeting summaries, drafting annotated agenda, and designing interactive
webinars that include polling, surveys, and evaluations to broaden engagement and accessibility.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of the Administrator (AO) Performance Dashboard
Associate | 2019 to 2020
Sara provided project support by engaging with EPA senior leadership to define a Performance Dashboard
product, and capture assumption of team needs and challenges. Sara also supported the design and
facilitation of interviews and other user engagement activities with leadership across the agency. Sara
developed meeting notes, action items, and briefing memos that highlight challenges and user needs with
performance management.
Commission for Environmental Cooperation Toolkit and Training to Engage North American
Communities in Marine Litter Reduction Efforts
Associate | 2019 to 2020
Sara worked with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, under their project “Community
Solutions for Reducing Marine Litter,” to help design a toolkit intended to assist local communities in
Canada, Mexico, and the United States identify locally tailored, low-technology actions that can assist in
reducing land-based marine litter. Sara supported content development for the toolkit.
Bureau of Land Management Grazing Scoping Meetings
Associate | 2019
Sara provided logistical support for BLM’s public meeting strategy, including the development of outreach
materials, digital project needs assessment, and facilitation planning. Sara coordinated the projects
logistics, including managing venue acquisition for four meetings, travel scheduling for eight staff,
publicizing meetings in local and national print news sources, shipping project materials to all meeting
locations, and design and development of handouts and posters.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Public Environmental Information and Consultation
Associate | 2018 to 2020
DHS’s public environmental information and consultation plan aims to notify the public of opportunities to
be involved in the agency’s environmental planning efforts. As an Associate, Sara supported the
communication and outreach effort by developing informational materials and plans.
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Regional, Multimodal Payment and Data Aggregator
/ Mobility Wallet
Associate | 2019
Kearns & West provided services for the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Regional,
Multimodal Payment and Data Aggregator / Mobility Wallet Services RFP Preparation Support. Using the
Airtable collaborative database platform, the team led core team interactions as part of a data-driven
visioning process to define internal DDOT and key stakeholder WMATA’s interests for this product. Kearns
& West facilitated discussions to identify potential requirements, clarify interests in achieving requirements,
refine data and research gaps to inform ongoing market and vendor research, and then crystalize
Page 48 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
requirements in an interactive requirements tool that defined a “snapshot” of Minimum Viable Product
(MVP) requirements along with value-added features. The team also provided general research support of
community relations implications and evaluating stakeholder buy -in and approaches that create a
foundation for continued engagement alongside successful procurement and product implementation.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution (CADR)
Senior Associate | 2018 to Present
Sara is developing a diversity focused resume database of senior facilitators and providing project
management support for their IDIQ contract for external conflict management services. She previously
supported CADR by interviewing and collecting data from tribal contacts and practitioners working within
DOI in the field of environmental collaborative and conflict resolution (ECCR). She produced a full report on
how to create an ECCR Network within DOI and facilitated a two-month workshop for 20 people in four
federal offices on her findings.
AT&T California, Media Relations
Associate | 2019 to 2021
Sara worked closely with AT&T’s public affairs team to monitor online, print and broadcast media
nationwide in support of the client’s public affairs needs and strategic objectives.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) 2020-2025 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leasing Program Public Involvement
Associate | 2018 to 2020
Sara provided logistical support for BOEM’s public engagement strategy, including the development of
outreach materials and public meeting support for BOEM’s 2020 – 2025 Draft Proposed Program and
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas leasing on the outer continental shelf.
Bloomberg BNA
Research Data Assistant | 2016-2017
As a research data assistant, Sara was responsible for effective software quality assurance and prod uction
activities related to the Bloomberg BNA International Treaty database. She researched and ensured integrity
of data for 13,000 international tax treaty documents in 40 languages and collected more than 1,000 official
international tax treaties by developing relations with international government officials.
Hogan Lovells International Law Firm
Conflict Analyst Assistant | 2015
Sara served as a conflict analyst assistant for Hogan Lovells International Law Firm. Her responsibilities
included researching and identifying conflict of interest issues affiliated with the firm. She drafted
summaries of corporate history for new and former clients and their related parties, analyzed and became
proficient in using conflict of interest databases, and maintained the conflict-of-interest database for the
firm.
Department of Energy International Affairs Department
Intern | 2014
Sara analyzed and drafted international energy policy memos on Africa and the Middle East, including clean
energy, climate change, and technology exports. She was responsible for drafting briefing points and event
memos for the Secretary of Energy.
Page 49 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Appendix B: Strategic Advisor Resumes
Page 50 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Dante James, Esq.
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Dante J. James has over 25 years of political and legal experience
and has worked in senior leadership positions with government and
civil society. An attorney by education and training, Mr. James has
provided legal representation in private practice, served as an
administrative hearing officer as well as political appointee and
political consultant. He worked and traveled for the Clinton
Administration for almost eight years leading Advance work
nationally and internationally.
He served as an appointee of the Mayor of Portland, Oregon for six
years, as the first director of its city’s civil rights office, the Office of
Equity and Human Rights. Prior to that, he was the Colorado State
Director for the Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL), a national
non-profit organization focused on developing the next generation
of progressive leaders. Prior to holding this position, he was
appointed by Denver Mayor Wellington Webb to serve as Executive
Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Compliance, the City’s
Affirmative Action office overseeing the utilization of women and
minority owned businesses in city projects. Mr. James is also a long-
time trainer, facilitator, and teacher. As an Adjunct Faculty member,
he has taught at the University of Colorado at Denver and the
University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He also lived and worked
in Japan for two years teaching English in Japanese high schools,
often giving presentations to Chambers of Commerce on
internationalization and cross-cultural communication.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
The Gemini Group, LLC
Co-Founder and Principal
• Provide training, management and leadership coaching and
organizational development support to government, non-profit
and private sector organizations
• Consult on racial and gender equity and inclusion in the
workplace, various civil rights topics, strategic planning, team
building, workplace assessments, mindfulness techniques,
discrimination investigations
• Use people-centered strategies for positive workplace climate and
culture shifts
• Littleton, CO
• Dante@thegeminigroupllc.com
• 303.880.9723
EXPERTISE
o Political, legal, and community
engagement
o Facilitation
o Training
o Teaching
o Strategic plan design
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Juris Doctor
University of Denver | Denver, CO
B.A., Political Science
University of Central Arkansas |
Conway, AR
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES
President’s Diversity Advisory
Committee – University of Oregon
Page 51 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Office of Equity and Human Rights, Portland, OR
Executive Director
• Appointed by the Mayor and City Council to lead a new city agency as its first Director addressing
inequity in city government service delivery
• Hired a staff of nine, developed seven program areas, oversaw a budget of $1.3 million, created,
developed, and directed the five-year strategic plan for infusing the concept, principles, and
practices of social equity throughout city government
• Oversaw implementation of the Americans with Disability Act Title II and 1964 Civil Rights Act Title
VI programs, and coordination of the city’s Human Rights Commission, Commission on Disability,
and Equitable Contracting and Purchasing Commission
• Oversaw development of training curricula and trained over 5000 city employees
• Increased city workforce diversity from 16% to 22% in five years
• Specifically worked with Portland Police on recruitment and hiring process, bias, and community
engagement
• Increased capital project dollars going to historically underrepresented communities
• Provided technical policy assistance to city agencies and employees
• Developed equity tools for budgeting and program and policy implementation
• Significantly increased community engagement city-wide
Office of Race and Equity, Oakland, CA
Interim Executive Director
• Loaned Executive to the City of Oakland, CA, as Interim Executive Director of a newly created city
department to address issues of racial bias and lack of equity in city service delivery
• Created web content, initial strategic plan, training material, provided equity tools to departments,
provided equity training to over 150 department directors and senior staff
• Assisted in outreach and hiring process for permanent director. Provided overall assessment and
recommendations to city manager and city council
Small Business Office, Regional Transportation District (RTD)
Director
• Oversaw minority and women owned business utilization and support on RTD projects
• Managed a staff of eight, mediated disputes, and ensured compliance with federal regulations
Center for Progressive Leadership
State Director
• Directed state office for a national, non -profit, political leadership training organization
• Provided training to over 1000 people through weekend or nine -month training programs focusing
on necessary political education, e.g., campaigning, fundraising, m essaging, values leadership, etc.
• Focused on increasing number of women, LGBTQ, and people of color in political office or
influencing public policy through activism
Page 52 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Oversaw staff and $750,000 budget for statewide outreach program and curriculum developme nt
for nine-month fellowship program,
• Significant number of program graduates are currently in state or local political office or heading
political non-profit organizations
African American Voter Information Project (AA-VIP)
Executive Director
• Directed non-profit focusing on voter registration and policy and legislative influence
• Created and implemented Communications Plans, Annual Reports, Strategic Plans, and White
Papers
• Interacted with State and Local elected officials, testified on legislation, and organized voter
registration and legislative policy efforts
• Set and met targeted fundraising goals through grants and private donations
Mayor’s Office of Contract Compliance
Executive Director
• Appointed by Mayor to lead the Mayor’s Office of Contract Compliance, Denver’s Affirmative Action
Office
• Managed a budget of $2.3 million and a professional staff of 21
• Assisted small and minority owned businesses gain access to Denver’s construction mar ket
• Maintained oversight of airport DBE concession program for compliance with federal regulations
• Oversaw the conversion of the overall program to a small business focus and assisted in drafting
new legislation
White House Advance Office
White House Advance Staff
• Travelled nationally and internationally as the Team Lead for On-Site Events for President and Mrs.
Clinton
• Coordinated the management of speaking engagements, personal appearances, and event logistics
• Coordinated official state function events and community-based events
LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Department of Public Works and Denver International Airport
Hearing Officer
• Independent administrative hearing officer
• Presided over hearings, evaluated witness testimony, made legal rulings on issues, and rendered
written decisions
• Reviewed and evaluated city ordinances and contract cases related to the Code of Federal
Regulations and EEO regulations
Page 53 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Department of Excise and License
Hearing Officer
• Independent administrative hearing officer
• Presided over hearings, evaluated witness testimony, made legal rulings on issues, and rendered
written decisions
• Reviewed and evaluated city ordinances and state law regarding liquor licenses and medical
marijuana licenses
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Adjunct Professor
• Taught second- and third-year students in Government Contracts
University of Colorado at Denver
Adjunct Professor
• Taught graduate students in municipal government
Dante J. James, P.C.
Private Practice Attorney
• Practiced law as a solo practitioner representing clients in criminal and civil matters
• Represented clients in jury trials, arraignments, plea negotiations and conferences.
• Interviewed witnesses, prepared legal motions, and developed strategy for trial work
Page 54 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Shaphan Roberts
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Shaphan Roberts is the Director for Los Angeles City Attorney’s
Dispute Resolution Program and an Adjunct Professor at
Pepperdine University where he earned his MBA in their PKE
program. Mr. Roberts manages the coordination of all
programmatic aspects of the Dispute Resolution Program,
including community mediation, the Community Police
Unification (CPU) Program, and growth of the program in line
with the goals of the City Attorney’s Community Justice
Initiative.
Mr. Roberts also serves as the head liaison with public and
private alternative dispute resolution programs; with federal,
state, and local agencies as well as colleges, universities, and
other community-based organizations. Additionally, he
manages the recruitment, training, and certification of the
DRP’s volunteer mediator workforce. He is often requested to
train city departments and community organizations on conflict
management, de-escalation, and cross-cultural
communication. In mid-2020, the City Attorney selected Mr.
Roberts to serve as a part of a team that organized and
convened city-wide conversations with protesters and police
officers after the death of George Floyd.
Prior to, Mr. Roberts led an inter-agency collaboration between
the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles
Police Department to develop and implement a 36-month pilot
program currently known as the CPU Program, the city’s award-
winning community-police mediation program. The CPU aims
to cultivate a better understanding between the police
department and the community it serves by creating an
opportunity to bring community members and law
enforcement together to mediate selected complaints of biased
policing or discourtesy. As part of his efforts in this area, he
spearheaded the design of the program’s Responsivity Tool
which aids in an informed matching of mediators with
mediation participants.
After successfully completing the pilot program, the Los
Angeles Police Commission unanimously passed a resolution
• Los Angeles, CA
• shaphan.roberts@pepperdine.edu
• 310.402.3189
EXPERTISE
o Law
o Community Mediation
o Community Justice
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
B.A. Business Economics and
Management
US Riverside | Riverside, CA
MBA
Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA
Certificate, Dispute Resolution
Program
Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney |
Los Angeles, CA
MEMBERSHIPS
Founding Member and Lead
Project Manager, Neighborhood
Justice Program of the Office of the
Los Angeles City Attorney
Facilitator and Trainer, The Institute for
Nonviolence in Los Angeles
Page 55 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
recommending the permanent adoption of the Community Police Unification (CPU) Program. Mr. Roberts
is routinely asked to speak to law enforcement departments nationwide about the CPU model and process.
Mr. Roberts continues to lead with passion and is currently consulting Salt Lake City regarding police reform
and community relations. In his daily work, he is looked upon to support the City Attorney in his efforts to
respond to our constituents’ fears relating to the rise of hate and bullying, the lack of trust over police -
community relations, and the need for greater engagement with clergy and other community stakeholders.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Pepperdine University School of Law - The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
Adjunct Professor of Law | 2019 to Present
This course surveys the impact that cultural differences, stereotypes, and attributions have on key dispute
resolution processes, and on conflict generally. It is designed to build theoretical knowledge, to equip
students with an analytical framework useful in determining suitable dispute resolution processes, and to
instill practical skills and strategies to enhance effectiveness in cross-cultural contexts.
The Dispute Resolution Program
Director | 2015 to Present
Provides strategic planning, direction, and execution of the City Attorney’s vision for offering restorative
justice and mediation services throughout the city. The position involves managing staff and 30 -40 active
volunteers for the City Attorney’s Volunteer Mediation Program, Dispute Resolution Program (DRP).
• Head liaison with public and private alternative dispute resolution programs; federal, state, and
local agencies, colleges/universities, and other community restorative justice entities.
• Manages the recruitment, training, and certification of the DRP’s volunteer mediator workforce.
• Redesigned DRP’s award winning training module to be more practical and relevant to the specific
needs of the community providing a targeted focus on restorative justice.
• Lead an inter-agency collaboration between the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and LAPD to
develop and implement a 36-month pilot program currently known as the CPU Program, the City’s
National award- winning community police mediation program.
• Successfully transitioned CPU’s pilot program into a permanent program with the unanimous
support of Los Angeles Police Commission.
• Co-lead of a team that designed and implemented a dialogue series that convened city-wide
conversation with protestors and police officers after the death of George Floyd.
• Spearheaded the design of the program’s Responsivity Tool which aids in an informed matching of
mediators and participants.
• Supports the City Attorney in his efforts to respond to constituents’ fears relating to immigration,
deportation, the rise of hate and bullying and the lack of trust in the community over police-
community relations, along with the need for greater engagement with clergy and other community
stakeholders.
Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney
Project Manager | 2014 to 2015
Provided organizational and management services required for the City Attorney’s Volunteer Mediation
Program, Dispute Resolution Program (DRP).
• Collaborated on and implemented the City’s award-winning Neighborhood Justice Program
Page 56 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Successfully launched the City’s award-winning Biased Policing Complaint Mediation Program
• Providing assistance with recruitment and training of volunteer mediators
• Coordinating outreach efforts to community groups to educate and recruit partners
• Providing direction & support to volunteer mediators (drafting / reviewing mediation agreements)
• Mediated complex disputes and complainants
• Analyzing data sets and preparing monthly reports to fulfill programmatic requirements for grant
• Providing factual research needed in coordinating the DRP
• Delivering investigative support in cases related to DRP
FANetwork
Head Of North American Operations | 2012 to 2013
Worked as a Producer for company live events and supervised project managers and coordinators. Oversaw
the overall cost of production, coordinated, and facilitated the technical team and online and offline
production requirements. Supervised both pre and post production and content production teams;
managed the development of the online broadcast platform, its enhancements and merchandise
integration.
• Producer for live and on-demand Facebook events for Imogen Heap, Jeremy Camp and Birth2012
• Developed and implemented marketing strategies to increase exposure for online broadcast
• Managed and monitored traffic and online stream, live discussions, and customer feedback
• Interfaced and coordinated with Director, Tech Team and Artist
Ridgeline Entertainment
Associate Producer | 2011
Worked as an Associate Producer for company live events and supported the vision of the Director.
Presented to sponsors and developed ad campaigns for event exposure.
• Associate Producer for live and Facebook webcast event with The Parlotones
The Roberts Company & Affiliates, LLC
President and Lead Consultant | 2002 to 2012
Managed all aspects of business development, project management and client relations. Responsibilities
include directing, establishing and maintaining the company’s overall policies and goals, recruiting business
and new clients as well as developing and overseeing market strategies, business growth and brand identity.
Within the years of 2002-2006 Roberts was responsible for increasing revenues by 300%.
• Conduct pre and post project and business evaluations
• Developed and implemented growth strategies to attain client’s goals
• Identified and executed joint ventures and value add opportunities
• Identified potential business partners and negotiated agreem ents
• Managed all aspects of new project acquisitions from evaluation to closing
• Managed third party vendors and independent contractors
• Lead negotiator for key clients routinely exceeding desired outcomes
Page 57 Kearns & West Response to Facilitator for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Eduardo Gonzalez
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Eduardo González is a Peruvian sociologist with more than twenty
years of experience supporting transitional justice processes
around the globe. He served in the NGO Coalition for the
International Criminal Court, advocating for the establishment of
the ICC. Later, he served on the managerial team of Peru’s Truth
and Reconciliation Commission (CVR), leading the organization of
the commission’s public hearings, and contributing to the
preparation of its Final Report.
From his country’s truth commission, he went on to serve at the
International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) where he led the
Truth and Memory Program, supporting the work of about twenty
truth commissions and similar initiatives in all continents, and
building transitional justice capacity among hundreds of
practitioners around the world.
Some of the processes he has directly led include advocacy and
training activities, the design and operationalization of both
official and unofficial truth commission mandates, the interaction
of indigenous peoples’ rights and truth commissions, the design
of reparations programs and the setting up of memorialization
initiatives.
Since 2015, as an independent consultant, he supports official
transitional justice processes in Mali (the Truth Justice and
Reconciliation Commission - CVJR), Sri Lanka (the Secretariat for
Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms – SCRM), Colombia (the
Truth Clarification Commission – CEV), indigenous peoples’ truth-
seeking in Finland, and he advises the United States Truth Racial
Healing and Transformation movement demanding the creation
of truth-seeking institutions in the US.
He holds an M.A. in Sociology from the New School for Social
Research, he has written and lectured extensively about truth
commissions and transitional justice, including in the Pontificia
Universidad Católica del Perú, the Universidad Católica Andrés
Bello, Brooklyn College, and the New School. Currently, he serves
as a Senior Research Affiliate at the Mary Hoch Center for
Reconciliation at George Mason University.
• New York, NY
• Eduardo@GonzalezC.com
• 347.244.0106
EXPERTISE
o Truth and Reconciliation
o Transitional Justice Processes
o Mediation
o Facilitation
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
M.A. Sociology
New School for Social Research
MEMBERSHIPS
Latin American Studies Association
(LASA)
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RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
German Agency of Foreign Cooperation - Mali
Truth and Reconciliation Consultant | 2018 to Present
Support the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in Mali (CVJR) to conceptualize its policy on
integral reparations for victims, and to launch a process of national consultation to ensure the success of
such a policy.
American Jewish World Service - Nicaragua
Transitional Justice Grantee | 2018 to Present
Designed and implemented a training program on transitional justice for civil society advocates and leaders
of victim organizations.
Ford Foundation - Colombia
Consultant | 2018 to Present
Conceptualized and designed the support of the Ford Foundation – Andes Office to the transitional justice
process, with a particular focus on the Truth Clarification Commission (CEV) and partners developing truth
and reconciliation initiatives. I also provide technical advice to the Foundation’s partners in Venezuela
regarding the options for transitional justice in that country.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - Sri Lanka
Strategic Consultant | 2016 - 2019
Contributed to the implementation of a comprehensive transitional justice strategy, comprising
truth-seeking, reparations, justice mechanisms, and non-recurrence, consistent with the commitments
adopted by the government of Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 of 1 October 2015.
This work included contributions to the legal mandates for the Commission on Reparations and the Truth
Commission.
Avocats sans Frontieres - Canada/Mail
Consultant | 2018
Supported the Malian Commission on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (CVJR) and several participants in
the peace process to ascertain their common interests in the terrain of accountability and truth. I provided
support to Avocats Sans Frontieres to build capacity on transitional justice among civil society advocates.
Fusion Media Group -United States
Consultant | 2016
Helped conceptualize and design a series on abuse in the United States, against racial minorities.
New School University - United States
Adjunct Instructor | 2012 - 2016
Taught 6 courses, in successive semesters, on transitional justice, within the Graduate Program on
International Affairs at the New School University. The subjects of the fundamentals of transitional justice,
truth commissions and post-conflict reconciliation were covered.
International Center for Transitional Justice
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Truth and Memory Program Director | 2010 - 2015
In charge of all the ICTJ's work supporting truth commissions. I supported the process of design,
establishment, and operations of truth commissions in Brazil, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Tunisia,
contributing to the setting up of their investigative mandates, their work plans and investigative
methodologies. In countries where commissions were not established due to politically complex situations,
I contributed to planning and designing future institutions, including the Truth Commission and the
Commission on Disappearances in Nepal, and the civil society project to establish a truth commission in the
former Yugoslavia (RECOM). Eduardo conducted analysis on several issues related to the right to the truth
in complex transitional circumstances, including post-conflict scenarios, and structural conditions of
injustice such as those experienced by indigenous peoples. In relation to indigenous peoples, he carried on
pioneering debates and research on the relationship between truth commissions and the rights of
indigenous peoples, starting a continuous process of connection to similar efforts at the UN Permanent
Forum for Indigenous Issues and with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He also designed and implemented seven editions of the annual Intensive Course on Truth Commissions,
offered by ICTJ in cooperation with the Barcelona Center of Resources for Peace.
Brooklyn College
Adjunct Instructor | 2008 - 2011
Taught 6 courses over successive semesters, in the Department of Political Science of Brooklyn College -
CUNY. I focused on victims' narratives, transitional justice, and the responsibility to protect.
PUPLICATIONS
2016 “Truth Commissions 30 Years after the CONADEP: Between Innovation and
Standardization” in Robin Kirk (ed.) Commissioning Truths: Essays on the 30th Anniversary
of “Nunca Mas”
2015 “Que la verdad demuestre su poderío” in Ludwig Huber and Luciano del Pino (comp)
Políticas en justicia transicional. Miradas comparativas sobre el legado de la CVR. Instituto
de Estudios Peruanos. Lima
2014 With Elena Naughton and Félix Reátegui Challenging the Conventional. Can Truth
Commissions Strengthen Peace Processes? ICTJ, New York and Kofi Annan Foundation,
Geneva
2013 Drafting a Truth Commission Mandate. A practical Tool. ICTJ, New York.
With Howard Varney Truth-Seeking: Elements of Creating an Effective Truth Commission.
ICTJ, New York.
With Florencia Librizzi “Evidence, Postcard and Placard: Photography and Transitional
Justice” in Clara Ramirez Barat (ed.) Transitional Justice and Culture.
2012 Strengthening Indigenous Rights through Truth Commissions. A Practitioner’s Resource. Co-
edited with Joanna Rice. ICTJ, New York.
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“Até onde vão as comissiões da verdade?” in Félix Reátegui (ed.) Justiça de Transição:
Manual para a América Latina.
2009 Critique of Mahmood Mamdani's Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics and
the War on Terror, in International Journal of Transitional Justice. Vol. 3, nr.3.
2008 “Reformas institucionales como dimensión concreta de la reconciliación” in El legado de la
verdad: impacto de la justicia transicional en la construcción e la democracia en América
Latina. in Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs – ICTJ, Bogotá.
2007 “Tendencias en la búsqueda de la verdad” in Universidad de Chile Anuario de Derechos
Humanos.
2006 “L’experience des commissions vérité” in Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (ed.)
La Justice Transitionnelle dans le monde francophone: etat des lieux” – Bern.
“The Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Challenge of Impunity” in
Beyond Truth versus Justice: Transiti onal Justice in the New Millennium. Cambridge
University Press.
With Javier Ciurlizza “Verdad y Justicia desde la óptica de la Comisión de la Verdad y
Reconciliación” in Magarrell and Filippini (eds.) El legado de la verdad. la justicia penal en
la transición peruana.
“De la Comisión de la Verdad al juicio de la historia” in IDEHPUCP (ed.) Documentos de
Trabajo. Serie Reconciliación n. 2
2004 “The Contribution of the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Prosecutions”
in Criminal Law Forum. Kluwer.
“La globalización del derecho a la verdad” in Memorias en conflicto. Aspectos de la violencia
política contemporánea. Instituto de Estudios Peruanos. Lima.
2001 “Perspectivas teóricas sobre la justicia en las transiciones a la democracia” in APRODEH
(ed.) Perú 1980-2000: El reto de la verdad y la justicia.
“El principio de complementariedad en el Estatuto de Roma de la CortePenal
Internacional y algunas de sus consecuencias en el ámbito interno” in Corcuera, Santiago
y Guevara, José Antonio (co mp.) Justicia Internacional. Universidad Iberoamericana.