Our Trainers
Marc Steiner, Training Coordinator:
(253) 203-6631 or email: training@pccdr.org
Marc, M.A. in Communication, has worked as a mediator and trainer for 20 years. His background is highlighted by his work with youth in family settings, schools, community programs, various juvenile justice settings, child protective agencies, and the courts. Before moving to the northwest almost four years ago, he was mediating and facilitating collaborative sessions for various groups including: the New Mexico Children’s Court, Child Protective Services, Stop Violence Against Women, Dept. of Interior, Fish & Wildlife, National Forest Service, State Highway & Transportation Dept.
A partial list of organizations as a Trainer/teacher include: University of New Mexico (mediation courses), Department of Juvenile Justice (Illinois, Nevada, Utah, South Carolina), Oklahoma Office of the Courts, school districts in over 40 states, N.M. Citizens Review Board, community organizations (Boys & Girls Club, other non-profits), Teen Court (AK), Child Protective Service staff, Children’s Court staff and mediators. Marc’s expertise in Parent/Teen mediation stems from running one of the largest P/T programs in the country for 8 years in New Mexico. Since arriving in Washington, he has trained mediators for the Skagit County DRC, Thurston County DRC, Snohomish/Island County DRC, and the Benton-Franklin DRC.
Maralise Hood Quan, Executive Director:
Maralise Hood Quan brought a great deal of experience in the field of conflict resolution to the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution when she became the Executive Director in May 2007. Before earning her BA in International Relations and Conflict Management, Maralise had already worked in intercultural and nonviolent conflict resolution settings in her native Washington State, primarily with migrant workers.
She moved to Central America in 1985 where she became Coordinator of the Conflict Resolution Program at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. There she was instrumental in the success of such projects as the Central American Peace Education curriculum, World Conflict Resolution Center and the creation of the Central American Human Rights Ombudsman office.
After years of working together as consultants to help resolve conflict, Maralise and her husband, Julio Quan, returned to Washington in 2000. Her work as a professional mediator in a small firm focused on land use, state agency mediations, and problem solving services led her to pursue her long-time interest in the law-making process. She subsequently became Chief of Staff to State Representative Dennis Flannigan, serving the people of the 27th Legislative District for five years. In her spare time, she went to law school, receiving her Juris Doctorate in 2008.
Her current projects include the Washington State Council on Traumatic Brain Injury, where she serves as Vice Chair, Pierce County Housing Justice Project, Connexion Latina, Walk the Waterfront, and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Fund for Women and Girls.