Staff
Danielle Cosgrove
Executive Director
danielle.cosgrove@clevelandmediation.org
Danielle Cosgrove is the Executive Director of Cleveland Mediation Center (CMC). Danielle has over 20 years of experience in the field of mediation and conflict resolution and 13 years of experience managing mediation programs. Danielle worked at CMC from 2006 - 2013, most recently as the Director of Programs and Development, and was hired as the Director of CMC after a merger with a larger organization in 2017. She also has a Masters Degree in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University McGregor.
Danielle enjoys reading, knitting, and watching her sons play soccer and basketball in her spare time. She is excited to be leading CMC in its new era as an independent 501(c)3 organization once again.
Kareemah Hairston
Mediation Coordinator
kareemah.hairston@clevelandmediation.org
Kareemah Hairston is a Cleveland native and graduate of Kent State University in Applied Conflict Management. Originally studying political science and philosophy; she was introduced to the field of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at Cuyahoga Community College. Very quickly she realized that enthralling herself in this field of study would equip her with the language and tools to do her life’s work.
Kareemah has nearly 10 years of experience supporting and facilitating change work processes in communities and organizations. Kareemah is most fulfilled when she is collaborating and equipping individuals with skills that support how to navigate and create more sustainable, equitable, and just communities. Her continuous work in program and workshop development, group facilitation design, and guiding collaborative work processes, has advanced her expertise in fostering spaces for communities to learn and grow together through dialogue-based practices that nurture understanding and challenge institutional and systemic inequities.
Today, she is a proud Mediation Advocate at Cleveland Mediation Center, with a primary focus on tenant/landlord disputes. Kareemah also stays on her toes with consultant work. In her spare time, she enjoys brain-tingling conversation, any and all creative pursuits, walks with nature, and savoring a nice cup of spiced tea.
Laura Hurtado
Mediation Advocate
laura.hurtado@clevelandmediation.org
Laura Hurtado is a first-generation Colombian American who recently graduated from Case Western Reserve University, obtaining a Master's in Social Work with a concentration in Community Practice for Social Change. By the end of her undergraduate program in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University, Laura has been working in the social services sector since 2021.
It has been through her journey in academia, her professional career, and her personal life where she has always gravitated toward a path in challenging systemic oppression and racism. Laura is extremely grateful to begin this path as a Tenant/Landlord Mediation Advocate where she can cultivate conflict resolution that is equity-informed, trauma-informed, and approached with systems thinking. In her free time, Laura enjoys solo-traveling, playing video games, arts and crafts (i.e. Embroidery, Paint-by-numbers), being a cat parent with her partner, and listening to music of various genres.
Steven Molnar
Mediation Advocate Supervisor
steven.molnar@clevelandmediation.org
Steven Molnar obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Management with a focus on mediation and health from Cleveland State University in Fall of 2013. This caused him to look into and start working with Cleveland Mediation Center as a volunteer in January 2014 for the Family Shelter Mediation Program. He continued his path in the conflict resolution field by fulfilling the criteria needed to become a Rule 16 qualified mediator, as designated by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Steven currently manages CMC's Family Shelter Mediation Program which works with Central Intake and homeless shelters in Cuyahoga County to prevent shelter residents from being involuntarily discharged. Additionally, he mediates cases for The Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) Program to help finalize agreements between landlords and tenants to continue their tenancies.
Jess Watson
LGBTQ+ Diversion Advocate
jess.watson@clevelandmediation.org
Born and raised in northeast Ohio, Jess Watson graduated with a master's degree in social work from Ohio State University in 2021. Prior to coming to Cleveland Mediation Center, Jess worked with homeless young people in transitional housing and as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence.
Jess is the LGBTQI+ diversion advocate, dedicated to preventing potentially traumatic shelter stays and securing safe and inclusive housing for members of the community. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, crocheting, and hanging out with her dog.
Trainers
Kirby Broadnax
Trainer
Kirby bio
Sarah Chess
Trainer
Sarah Chess
Kara Tellaisha
Trainer | she/her
Kara bio