Meet the team

Judy Wells

Lead Instructor 20-Hour CPS Mediator Course

📍 Location: South East Texas
🛠 Specialties: CPS Mediation, Family Mediation, Child Advocacy, Mediation Training
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Harvard Law School (Negotiation and Dispute) Certificate
  • Mediator Training in Texas & Utah
    ✔ Texas Basic Mediation Certificate
    ✔ Texas Advanced Family Mediation Certificate
    ✔ Utah Basic Mediation Certificate
    ✔ Utah Advanced Family Mediation Certificate
    ✔ Domestic Violence Certificate
    ✔ CPS Mediation Certification
    ✔ Child Education Advocate Certification

🎖 Positions of Distinction & Designations:

  • Texas Association of Mediators (TAM) & Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator Association Panelist (2025)
  • Mediator of the Year – Central Brazos County Dispute Resolution Center (2022)
  • Breakout Presenter – Texas Association of Mediators Conference (2022, 2023)
  • 40-Hour Basic Mediation Trainer – Texas A&M (2021, 2022, 2023)
  • 20-Hour CPS Mediation Trainer – Brazos County (2022, 2023)
  • 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation Trainer – Brazos County (2022, 2023)

💡 Community Involvement:

  • Volunteer Mediator
    ✔ Harris County Dispute Resolution Center
    ✔ Fort Bend County Dispute Resolution Center
    ✔ Central Brazos Valley Dispute Resolution Center
  • Church Youth Group Leader (Inner City Youth)
  • Helping Hands Volunteer.                                                               

Judy Wells is a highly respected mediator, educator, and child advocacy expert with a passion for empowering families and professionals in conflict resolution. With decades of experience in family and CPS mediation, Judy has built a reputation as a leader in mediation training and a dedicated advocate for children and families in crisis.

Beginning her career as a Child Education Advocate, Judy has spent years working with families navigating divorce, child custody disputes, and Child Protective Services (CPS) cases. Her expertise in legal frameworks, family dynamics, and mediation techniques makes her a trusted guide for professionals looking to handle high-stakes cases with care and professionalism.

At Kreider Mediation, Judy serves as the lead instructor for the 20-Hour CPS Mediator Course, where she trains mediators to address complex child protection cases while prioritizing the well-being of the children involved. Her hands-on approach ensures that mediators gain practical skills, legal knowledge, and the ability to navigate emotionally sensitive situations effectively.

Beyond her work in mediation training, Judy is an active leader in the mediation community. She is a panelist for the Texas Association of Mediators (TAM), a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator with the TMCA, and a breakout presenter at the TAM Conference. In recognition of her dedication and impact, she was honored as Mediator of the Year in Central Brazos County in 2022.

Judy’s commitment to mentorship, education, and advocacy ensures that every mediator she trains is prepared to handle sensitive disputes with confidence, compassion, and professionalism. Her leadership at Kreider Mediation strengthens the organization’s mission of excellence in mediation training and conflict resolution.

 

Dr. David Cavazos

Lead instructor 20-Hour Business Mediation Course/Mediator

📍 Location: North Texas
🛠 Specialties: Business & Commercial Mediation, Corporate Strategy, Data-Driven Decision-Making
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Ph.D. in Business Administration – Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University
  • Mediator Training:
    ✔ 40-Hour Basic Mediation
    ✔ 20-Hour Business Mediation (Instructor)
    ✔ 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation

📝 Bio:

Dr. David Cavazos brings a wealth of expertise to Kreider Mediation, blending his deep knowledge of business strategy with a passion for conflict resolution. Holding a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, David is a tenured business professor with an impressive academic record, including over 30 peer-reviewed publications and more than 500 citations. His research spans corporate political strategy, regulation, new venture growth, and stakeholder management, making him a sought-after authority in the field.

Beyond academia, David is a seasoned statistician and business consultant with over a decade of experience helping organizations navigate complex, data-driven decisions. His expertise in analytical problem-solving and strategic negotiation seamlessly translates into his mediation practice, where he specializes in business and commercial mediation. Dedicated to community service, David actively mediates cases through the Tarrant and Harris County Dispute Resolution Centers, helping businesses and individuals resolve disputes efficiently and equitably.

At Kreider Mediation, David serves as the lead instructor for the newly developed 20-Hour Business Mediation Course, equipping professionals with the skills needed to mediate complex business disputes effectively. His teaching approach combines real-world business acumen, data-driven insights, and hands-on mediation strategies to prepare students for success in the field.

Outside of his professional pursuits, David is an avid musician and voracious reader, always exploring new perspectives. He enjoys spending time with his wife, dog, and cat, embracing a well-rounded life that balances intellect, creativity, and connection.

 

Ronda Haynes

Lead Instructor, 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation Course/Attorney/Mediator

📍 Location: Fort Worth, Texas
🛠 Specialties: Family Mediation, CPS Mediation, Legal Disputes, Mediation Training
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Texas A&M School of Law (2015)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business
  • Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
  • Mediator Training
    ✔ 40-Hour Basic Mediation Course
    ✔ 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation Course (Lead Instructor)
    ✔ 20-Hour CPS Mediator Course

🎖 Professional Experience & Leadership:

  • Solo Practitioner – Haynes Law Firm (Since 2017)
  • Board Member – Guardianship Services, Inc.
  • Volunteer – VITA Program (Tax Assistance for Low-Income Families)

💡 Community Involvement:

  • Active in Fort Worth & Azle Community Initiatives
  • Advocate for Guardianship & Family Law Services
  • Supports Access to Justice for Families in Need

📝 Bio:

Ronda Haynes is a dedicated legal professional, mediator, and educator with a passion for helping families resolve disputes through mediation and legal advocacy. As the lead instructor for the 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation Course at Kreider Mediation, she equips mediators with the skills needed to navigate complex family conflicts with professionalism, empathy, and legal insight.

Ronda has built a successful career in family law and mediation, opening her own law firm in 2017 after earning her J.D. from Texas A&M School of Law. She also holds degrees in Business and Paralegal Studies, giving her a strong foundation in legal practice and case management.

Originally from Azle, Texas, Ronda returned to her hometown after years away to establish her law practice and serve her community. She is actively involved in Fort Worth and Azle, volunteering with the VITA program, which provides tax assistance for low-income families, and serving on the Board of Directors for Guardianship Services, Inc., where she advocates for vulnerable individuals in need of legal protection.

At Kreider Mediation, Ronda brings real-world legal experience, mediation expertise, and a deep commitment to education. Her leadership in family mediation training ensures that mediators are well-prepared to handle high-conflict cases, protect the best interests of families, and facilitate fair, constructive resolutions.

With her legal background, teaching experience, and dedication to community service, Ronda is an essential part of Kreider Mediation’s mission to provide top-tier mediation education and training.

Sharia Baker

Mediator, Instructor

📍 Location: Texas
🛠 Specialties: Contract Disputes, Insurance Cases, Creditor Disputes, Financial Mediation
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Master’s in Management of Information Systems Technology
  • Master of Arts in Psychology
  • Mediator with expertise in finance and business mediation
  • Mediator Training:
    ✔ 40-Hour Basic Mediation
    ✔ 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation

📝 Bio:

Sharia Baker is a dynamic and results-driven mediator, educator, and financial strategist with over 20 years of experience in bank management, high-value underwriting, and financial literacy coaching. Her deep understanding of business strategy, financial planning, and conflict resolution makes her a trusted professional in mediation.

At Kreider Mediation, Sharia serves as both a mediator and co-instructor, bringing her expertise in financial disputes to the mediation process. She specializes in insurance disputes, contract conflicts, and creditor disputes, helping clients navigate complex financial disagreements with clarity, fairness, and strategic resolution.

Beyond her work in mediation, Sharia has a passion for education and empowerment. She has taught financial literacy and life skills, equipping individuals with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, she integrates behavioral insights and conflict resolution techniques into her mediation practice, ensuring clients feel heard and understood.

Stephanie Warnock

Lead Instructor 20-Hour Torts Mediation Course, Mediator, Attorney, Nurse Educator

📍 Location: North Texas
🛠 Specialties: Family Mediation, CPS Mediation, Legal & Medical Disputes
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing – UT Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
  • Master of Science in Nursing Education – TTU Health Sciences Center at Lubbock
  • Juris Doctorate – TTU School of Law
  • Mediating Training:
    ✔ 40-Hour Basic Mediation
    ✔ 30-Hour Advanced Family Mediation
    ✔ 20-Hour CPS Mediation                                                                           ✔ 20-Hour Torts Mediation (Lead Instructor)         

📝 Bio:
Stephanie Warnock brings a powerful combination of medical, legal, and mediation expertise to Kreider Mediation, offering a well-rounded perspective in complex disputes. With a background as a Registered Nurse, Nursing Professor, Criminal Defense Attorney, Ad Litem for Children, and Family Law Attorney, Stephanie’s approach to mediation is rooted in advocacy, education, and compassionate problem-solving.

Stephanie specializes in family mediation and CPS cases, serving as a volunteer attorney mediator with the Tarrant County Dispute Resolution Center. Her experience in both healthcare and law enables her to navigate sensitive disputes with a deep understanding of both the emotional and legal complexities involved.

She is an active member of the Texas Association of Mediators and the Tarrant County Bar Association, including its Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.

Outside of mediation, Stephanie enjoys digital photography, organic gardening, and dressage. She resides in North Texas with her husband, their cat, and dog, embracing a life of service, learning, and balance.

Jeannie Tomanetz

Family Violence Instructor

📍 Location: Central Texas
🛠 Specialties: Domestic Violence Awareness, Trauma-Informed Mediation, Family Violence Counseling
🎓 Education & Certifications:

  • Background in Clinical Psychology
  • Certified Domestic Violence Trainer
  • 24+ Years of Experience in Family Violence Intervention

Jeannie Tomanetz is a highly experienced domestic violence expert with a background in clinical psychology and more than two decades of dedicated service in victim advocacy. For over 24 years, she worked with the Austin Police Department’s Family Violence Unit, where she provided counseling and crisis intervention to thousands of survivors of intimate partner violence. Her work has been instrumental in supporting victims as they navigate the legal system, secure resources, and rebuild their lives.

A respected educator and trainer, Jeannie specializes in domestic violence dynamics, the impact on children, and safety planning. She has been featured in the Austin Chronicle for her work in victim services, highlighting her profound impact on survivors and advocacy for increased victim resources. She has also played a key role in citywide initiatives aimed at improving support for crime victims.

At Kreider Mediation, Jeannie teaches the Domestic Violence Awareness Class, equipping mediators with the critical knowledge and sensitivity needed to handle cases involving domestic violence with professionalism and care. Her expertise ensures that mediators are prepared to approach high-conflict cases with an informed, trauma-sensitive perspective that prioritizes the safety and well-being of those affected.

Jeannie’s compassion, experience, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to both the Austin community and Kreider Mediation, where she continues to educate, advocate, and empower mediators in handling sensitive domestic violence cases.