Diversity Scholar Recipients

Diversity Scholar Recipients

Diversity Scholar Recipients

Overview

Encouraging diversity and inclusion within the field of ADR

The Diversity Scholarship Fund was established by the AAA-ICDR Foundation through a special gift by the American Arbitration Association. The Fund provides diverse students/professionals with up to $2,000 of financial assistance towards participation in a degree program or fellowship in alternative dispute resolution or attendance at a well-recognized conference. The mission of the Diversity Scholarship Fund is to encourage diversity and inclusion within the field of ADR by supporting the pursuit of knowledge and skill development through training experiences that encourage inclusive leadership growth in the field of ADR.

In addition to these individualized grants, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has established diversity scholarships at Howard University and North Carolina Central University, two historically Black colleges and universities that offer certificates in dispute resolution programs in their law schools.

Both scholarships involve a three-year commitment of $150,000, $50,000 annually, to award scholarships to second- or third-year law school students in certificate in dispute resolution programs. Scholarship recipients will be selected yearly, in September, by each law school.
$631K+
IN GRANTS FUNDED
The Foundation has funded $631,777 in Diversity Scholarship Grants.
$1,549
AVERAGE DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP GRANT 2023
The average Diversity Scholarship grant amount in 2023. The Average HBCU Diversity Scholarship Grant in 2023 was $16,000.
162
SCHOLAR RECIPIENTS
Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 162 Diversity Scholarships.

Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

Joselys Corneelio

Scholar

Joselys Corneelio

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My goals within the field of ADR are to "Incorporate the principles and practices of ADR within my professional practice to foster efficient dispute resolution, creating win-win scenarios for all parties involved."

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Amir Muhammad

Scholar

Amir Muhammad

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My ADR professor actually told the class something during my 2L year that I value, and know I will continue to value, throughout my career. He mentioned that arbitration is becoming more prevalent and that makes learning about it now that much more advantageous. Alternative dispute resolution is a realm of law that oftentimes can trip a layperson up in arbitration contracts, or lawyers during mediation settlements. I want to learn, study, and become one of the next leaders in arbitration to encourage others like me of an "alternative" career path as opposed to big law or public interest. And I want to continue to not only show diversity, but be amongst those as well in what I see as a beneficial wave.

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Tamia Glover

Scholar

Tamia Glover

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

After graduation I plan on practicing criminal defense and part of being a defense attorney is negotiating plea bargains with prosecutors. I plan on incorporating my ADR certificate into the practice of criminal defense, this certificate will provide me with additional tools to zealously advocate for my clients.

Grant Amount

$20,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Brie Starks

Scholar

Brie Starks

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

I am pursuing the field of ADR in order to advance my skills and contribute to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space. I believe that ADR will contribute to the many differences that show up in corporate DEI spaces. I additionally plan to pursue a career in Civil and Human Rights and ADR would enhance my skills a great deal in order to effectively solve disputes in the future for clients and between community leaders and larger systems.

Grant Amount

$16,416

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Sarah Ayad

Scholar

Sarah Ayad

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

Alternative dispute resolution is important in small communities, like my own, where people do not fully trust the legal process. It also allows parties to play an important role in resolving their own disputes which often results in creative solutions, longer-lasting outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships. As someone who strives to uphold a reputation of honesty and integrity, I know the Muslim community will come to me to help resolve their disputes in a cost effective, efficient, and healthy way. I hope to be a conduit for change for how disputes are currently resolved in my community, and it starts with me.

Grant Amount

$5,975

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Celeea Williams

Scholar

Celeea Williams

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law
I am a wife to an army veteran that served over twenty-one years, and I witnessed the need for advocacy concerning veterans’ rights. My goal is to use my knowledge and skills gained in arbitration and mediation to assist veterans. I will assist veterans with getting benefits that are needed and deserved.

Grant Amount

$7,609

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

2023 Historically Black Colleges and University Scholarship Recipients

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Joselys Corneelio

Scholar

Joselys Corneelio

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My goals within the field of ADR are to "Incorporate the principles and practices of ADR within my professional practice to foster efficient dispute resolution, creating win-win scenarios for all parties involved."

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Amir Muhammad

Scholar

Amir Muhammad

Washington D.C.

School

Howard University School of Law

My ADR professor actually told the class something during my 2L year that I value, and know I will continue to value, throughout my career. He mentioned that arbitration is becoming more prevalent and that makes learning about it now that much more advantageous. Alternative dispute resolution is a realm of law that oftentimes can trip a layperson up in arbitration contracts, or lawyers during mediation settlements. I want to learn, study, and become one of the next leaders in arbitration to encourage others like me of an "alternative" career path as opposed to big law or public interest. And I want to continue to not only show diversity, but be amongst those as well in what I see as a beneficial wave.

Grant Amount

$25,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Tamia Glover

Scholar

Tamia Glover

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

After graduation I plan on practicing criminal defense and part of being a defense attorney is negotiating plea bargains with prosecutors. I plan on incorporating my ADR certificate into the practice of criminal defense, this certificate will provide me with additional tools to zealously advocate for my clients.

Grant Amount

$20,000

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Brie Starks

Scholar

Brie Starks

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

I am pursuing the field of ADR in order to advance my skills and contribute to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space. I believe that ADR will contribute to the many differences that show up in corporate DEI spaces. I additionally plan to pursue a career in Civil and Human Rights and ADR would enhance my skills a great deal in order to effectively solve disputes in the future for clients and between community leaders and larger systems.

Grant Amount

$16,416

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Sarah Ayad

Scholar

Sarah Ayad

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

Alternative dispute resolution is important in small communities, like my own, where people do not fully trust the legal process. It also allows parties to play an important role in resolving their own disputes which often results in creative solutions, longer-lasting outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships. As someone who strives to uphold a reputation of honesty and integrity, I know the Muslim community will come to me to help resolve their disputes in a cost effective, efficient, and healthy way. I hope to be a conduit for change for how disputes are currently resolved in my community, and it starts with me.

Grant Amount

$5,975

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

mobile
Celeea Williams

Scholar

Celeea Williams

North Carolina

School

North Carolina Central University School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law
I am a wife to an army veteran that served over twenty-one years, and I witnessed the need for advocacy concerning veterans’ rights. My goal is to use my knowledge and skills gained in arbitration and mediation to assist veterans. I will assist veterans with getting benefits that are needed and deserved.

Grant Amount

$7,609

PROGRAM

AAA-ICDR Foundation HBCU Scholarship

Scholar Recipient

2022 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarship Recipient

2020 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarships Totaled $39,605.
2020 Scholarships Totaled $12,463.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Scholar

Mamakiziel Siah Sicarr

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$660

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kadiatu Tholley

Scholar

Kadiatu Tholley

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$590

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Adama Sesay

Scholar

Adama Sesay

Sierra Leone

GRANT AMOUNT

$560

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Scholar

Kaltumi Abdulazeez

Nigeria

GRANT AMOUNT

$760

PROGRAM

Mediator Beyond Borders International, Restorative Practice Training

Alexia Gkoritsa

Scholar

Alexia Gkoritsa

Greece

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In this period of my life, I am in search of bringing my academic and professional path to the next level. My main goal is to extend my expertise in the subject of dispute settlement and arbitration, as well as of the substantive law, by the implementation of which such disputes are most frequently resolved, i.e. contract, commercial and private international law, by collaborating with leading individuals in the said areas of expertise. In a few years from now I imagine myself being part of an internationally active law firm or of an accredited institution operating in the above-mentioned fields. In the meantime, I am confident that I will have completed the MIDS LL.M. programme with distinction. I also aspire to combine my professional endeavors with the continuation of my studies at doctoral level, possibly oriented towards the subject of international arbitration and the potential prospect of privatization of the justice system, especially as far as disputes governed by private law are concerned. After all, I have managed to combine my academic and professional pursuits quite successfully so far, therefore I am convinced that I shall continue to do so in the future.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Spiros Bat

Scholar

Spiros Bat

Greece

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

I aspire to become an exclusively alternative dispute resolution attorney and work solely on mediations and arbitrations. Specifically, I want to become an arbitrator and mediator and handle disputes connected with a variety of sectors including IP, domain name, energy and construction disputes. I am also a member of organizations like mediateguru and Moot Alumni Association, where I work voluntarily to spread social awareness on ADR worldwide and facilitate especially those belonging to the lower social stratifications find an alternative way to claim their right to justice. I have also volunteered as a judge in several moot court competitions, training the younger generations to enhance negotiation and adjudication skills. It is a dream of mine to acquire the knowledge and expertise required to keep participating in workshops and relevant events to teach younger generations on contemporary ADR methods and help them embrace this new legal culture.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Saba Mollaian

Scholar

Saba Mollaian

Luxembourg/Switzerland

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Career Goals: Practicing public international law, specializing in state-to-state disputes before international courts and tribunals, such as the WTO, ITLOS and ICJ; mediation between states or between states and non-state actors.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Akriti Kataria

Scholar

Akriti Kataria

India/Geneva, Switzerland

SCHOOL

Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

In the next few years, I see myself practicing in a leading international arbitration law firm in Europe, working on complex cross-border disputes using international best practices set against a robust framework. Thereafter, I want to return to India and practice at the Supreme Court of India with a designated senior advocate. This will enable me to assist the highest court of India to render progressive decisions and consequently, prompt the government to effect relevant reforms to make arbitration a truly alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM MIDS (International Dispute Settlement), Geneva Centre for International Dispute Settlement

Lynn Moubarak

Scholar

Lynn Moubarak

Lebanon

SCHOOL

New York University

I would like to pursue a career as an international arbitration lawyer in an international law firm. This experience will allow me to deepen my knowledge in international arbitration, including from a Common Law and U.S. perspective. It will also help me deepen my research and analytical skills.

GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

PROGRAM

LLM International Business Regulation Litigation and Arbitration at New York University

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Scholar

Jennifer Ortiz, Faye Brady, Damany Gordon, Krystal Bariffe, Samantha Pulley, Carol-Newman Rose and Doreen Cunningham

Massachusetts, United States

GRANT AMOUNT

$900 per student

PROGRAM

Quabbin Mediation Training Program

Scholar Recipient

2022 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarship Recipient

2020 Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarships Totaled $39,605.
2020 Scholarships Totaled $12,463.
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
The AAA-ICDR Foundation is proud to support the following scholars:
Divij Kumar

Scholar

Divij Kumar

India

School

Stanford Law School Advanced IP/Tech Mediation and Arbitration Course

I am a first generation lawyer from India who has been invited to participate in the 2023 Stanford Law School Advanced IP/Tech Mediation and Arbitration Course. In the absence of deriving any financial remuneration at this time, the Fund shall make my attendance in this program possible.

My goal is to lead the dialogue and contribute to the development of international dispute settlement with a focus on the interaction of all stakeholders from my work as a researcher, international disputes lawyer, and an educator in the future.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Jeanie Telfer

Scholar

Jeanie Telfer

New York, NY

ABOUT

Jeanine Telfer has dedicated her career, which has spanned more than 15 years, to litigation and advise matters within federal government and state government sectors. Ms. Telfer is a 2010 American Arbitration Association's A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Fellow, who has practiced in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, California, New Jersey, and New York. She is also a patent attorney and licensed mediator. Ms. Telfer has experience in labor and employment, disability law, patents, trademarks, copyrights, government relations, government regulations, contracts, negotiations, and collective bargaining agreements. Ms. Telfer prides herself in bringing a prophylactic approach that assures quality advice and counsel with integrity, resulting in appropriate decisions. Providing supportive, knowledgeable legal advice with direction that educates through honest communication and mutual respect is her goal.

Grant Amount

$1,225

PROGRAM

Fall 2023 NYSBA Three-Day Commercial Mediation Training and Fall 2023 NYSBA Two-Day Advanced Commercial Mediation Training

Meher Tandon

Scholar

Meher Tandon

India

School

MIDS in International Dispute Settlement, Center for International Dispute Settlement (CIDS), Geneva Graduate Institution

I am a common-law trained attorney from India, currently enrolled in the Geneva LL.M. in International Dispute Settlement (“MIDS”), specializing in international commercial arbitration.
Before joining the MIDS, I worked for five years and was a senior associate in the dispute resolution team at Khaitan & co, one of India’s tier-one law firms. During my tenure at the firm, I have acted as legal counsel for large-scale and multinational hospitality and infrastructure companies before Courts and in arbitral proceedings, both domestic and international, primarily before ad hoc and some institutional arbitral tribunals.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Johnchryso Eze Tochukwu

Scholar

Johnchryso Eze Tochukwu

Nigeria

School

Chattered Institute of Arbitrators' Course on - Accelerated Route to Fellowship - International Arbitration

My career goal is to become a renowned dispute resolution and international arbitration expert. I also intend to purse my masters and doctorate degrees on International Arbitration and to afterwards become a part time lecturer teaching courses in international arbitration.

I have been engaged in litigation practice for over 5 years with lots of experience in court room adjudication in various subjects including cross border transactions and disputes . However, I need this experience to become a well-rounded dispute resolution expert because it is not all disputes that are suitable for litigation and I need the competence and certification to practice arbitration on a professional level. I earlier took a course of Mediation and Conciliation which certified me as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chattered Mediators and Conciliators Nigeria.

Grant Amount

$794

PROGRAM

Queralt Vidal

Scholar

Queralt Vidal

Spain

School

MIDS in International Dispute Settlement, Center for International Dispute Settlement (CIDS), Geneva Graduate Institution

My name is Queralt Vidal, I am 23 years old and I am applying for the American Arbitration Association Foundation’s Diversity Scholarship.

I was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, and I graduated from ESADE Law School in December 2022. I completed a double degree in Law and International Affairs, but since I started my college years, Alternative Dispute Resolution caught my attention. It was during my participation in the Jessup and ELSA Moot Courts that I realized that I wanted to make a living out of this beautiful profession.

After 4 years in college I had the opportunity to do two exchange programs. The first one was in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I both studied and worked (Universidade de Sao Paulo and BMA Advogados), and the second one was in Washington DC (Elliot school of International Affairs). In DC I attended all kind of conferences and events which allowed me to create a humble but solid network through which I found the internship that I am doing right now. I started this job in May 2023, in Dunning Rievman & MacDonald LLP, in New York City, where we mostly do international arbitration. I absolutely love what I do and I look forward to do it as a real lawyer, and not only an intern.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Mary Mutupa

Scholar

Mary Mutupa

Zambia

ABOUT

Mary Mutupa MCIArb, is an author, human rights and dispute resolution lawyer, gender and governance expert with more than 14 years of management experience and 17 years overall national and international work experience mostly in civil society sector. Mary specialises in and has vast experience in resolving disputes through Mediation and Arbitration. Mary has teaching experience in dispute resolution and has taught at the University of Zambia. Between 2016-2018 she worked at CIArb Zambia as a project consultant on a mediation project which was support by USAID which focuses on increasing mediators in Zambia. She also coordinated all trainings and sensitisation activities on Alternative Dispute Resolutions through media engagement, workshops and publications.


Mary is working as an independent Consultant. Before this, she worked at the National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW)as Deputy Executive Director from 2016-2023. And prior to joining NLACW in 2016, she worked at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Zambia Branch as a Mediation project Consultant; ActionAid Zambia as Governance Programme Officer, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Constitution project as Coordinator, Programme Manager African Women Millennium Initiative in Senegal and Zambia among others.


Mary holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law, Degree in Law, Post-graduate Diploma in Teaching and Lecturing methodology, professional training in Arbitration, Mediation among others. In 2010 she authored a Publication entitled “Working with the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council: A Handbook for Civil Society Organizations”. She has contributed to various publications on Human Rights, Gender, Governance and Alternative Dispute Resolutions topics.

Grant Amount

$1750

PROGRAM

African Arbitration Association Conference

Kelvin Njuuna

Scholar

Kelvin Njuuna

Nairobi, Kenya

School

Queen Mary University

I am Kelvin Njuguna Mugwe, a 27-year-old Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. I have been a practitioner for the last three years. I am passionate and greatly interested in advancing my skills in international arbitration.

I consider myself a diligent, hardworking and self-driven individual. I have through the years, demonstrated commitment, adaptability to ever changing circumstances and the desire to learn from my mistakes while seeking to attain excellence in all I do. My experiences, both at school and my brief professional life, have inculcated in me the virtues of professionalism, integrity and teamwork. I further possess the ability to effectively communicate on diverse issues, both orally and through writing.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Kricia Pires Coelho

Scholar

Kricia Pires Coelho

Brazil

School

Bucerious Law School LLM

Krícia Pires is a highly accomplished legal professional with a passion for international dispute resolution and a commitment to promoting justice and fairness. Krícia is currently enrolled in the International Dispute Resolution LL.M. at the prestigious Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, in the class of 2023-2024.
Krícia has a diverse range of professional experiences that have shaped her expertise and dedication in this field. As an intern at Brazilian's largest law firm, Machado Meyer, Krícia played a vital role in the civil reparation mediation program for the Vale dam environmental disaster, contributing to the resolution of the damage caused to affected individuals and territories in Brumadinho. This experience ignited her interest in environmental and social justice issues. Krícia further honed her skills at Guglielmino Derecho Internacional, where she represented Venezuela and Bolivia in Investor-State arbitrations before renowned bodies such as ICSID and PCA. Working alongside esteemed mentors, Krícia gained valuable insights into the complexities of international arbitration and the importance of effective representation. Krícia has also been employed as a legal trainee at Delaloa, an international arbitration boutique in Lisbon, handling international commercial arbitrations under the ICC and LCIA Rules. This role allowed her to broaden her understanding of the European Union framework and gain invaluable experience in different jurisdictions. With a strong drive to promote Latin America and the Global South in the international scenario of dispute resolution, Krícia aspires to become an active voice in addressing the specific challenges faced by these regions. She seeks to contribute to the discourse, advocate for fairness, and drive positive change in the field of international dispute resolution.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Lorraine D. Mandel

Scholar

Lorraine D. Mandel

New York, NY

ABOUT

Lorraine D. Mandel is an arbitrator and court certified mediator. She serves on the commercial arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association and as a non-public FINRA arbitrator.

Previously, she was Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Global Derivatives and Government Affairs, of XL Group, the global (re)insurance holding company (now AXA-XL). In her previous in-house positions, she negotiated complex commercial transactions and insurance coverage matters on a world- wide basis. Through her participation in the training course entitled “Comprehensive Commercial Arbitration Training for Arbitrators and Counsel”, sponsored by the NYS Bar Association and the AAA, Lorraine hopes to gain high level and intensive training experience to further enhance her effectiveness as a practitioner and lend value to the ADR field. Lorraine is a member of the Board of Directors of the NYU Law School Alumni Association, and is Secretary to the Legal Advisory Council of Sanctuary for Families. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association and the Insurance Law Committee of the City Bar Association. She holds a
B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from Tufts University, and a J.D. from George Washington University Law School (having attended New York University Law School).

Grant Amount

$795

PROGRAM

Comprehensive Commercial Arbitration Training for Arbitrators and Counsel

Jessica Rado

Scholar

Jessica Rado

New York, NY

School

International Arbitration Summer School in Paris

My name is Jessica Rado, I am a recent LL.M. graduate, and soon-to-be-admitted New York attorney.

Since the very beginning of my studies, I have been an active member of the arbitration community, focusing most of my efforts to the promotion of diversity in ADR. In fact, I volunteered at the New York ADR Inclusion Network, became a fellow of the ABA Section of
Dispute Resolution, a member of R.E.A.L (Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers), and I joined many
international organizations such as NYCLA’s ADR Committee, ArbitralWomen, Young ICCA, and Young ITA. I am currently working on a new webinar series, in collaboration with Careers in Arbitration, that aims to inspire young students by sharing career paths of brilliant practitioners from all over the world.

All of these experiences allow me to connect with fellow practitioners, and, most importantly, to do my part to keep this community so active, welcoming, and kind. I am currently working as a litigation associate to sharpen my drafting and advocacy skills which I hope to transfer into an international arbitration position. In addition, I volunteer as a teaching assistant for Professor and Arbitrator Dana MacGrath at Fordham Law School. In this role, I have the pleasure of coaching and guiding our Vis moot team through their preparation for the competitions, and I had the opportunity to support them in Hong Kong this past March. Thanks to the many pre-moots and practices that I coordinated and arbitrated, I forged very meaningful connections with Professors, students, and practitioners both in New York and all over the world ,including many friends at the American Arbitration Association.

Grant Amount

$2,000

Apply for the Diversity Scholarship.