Loraine Della Porta’s public sector career spans over twenty-five years and reflects extensive experience in conflict prevention, organizational development and training. She is a trained lawyer and an experienced mediator, facilitator and dispute systems designer. Loraine is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for Peace, Democracy and Development and adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies. From 2001 to 2013, Loraine served as the Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC), a free-standing institute of the University of Massachusetts Boston which serves as a neutral forum to assist public entities in resolving conflict and collaborating on important policy issues within government and across sectors. During her tenure, Loraine played a major role in launching a number of large-scale projects, programs and public policy initiatives including most recently, the design and implementation of mediation programs for the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. She also served as the Director of MOPC’s Public Policy Institute which provided a vehicle for communities to engage in deliberative dialogue and civil discourse on important policy issues including quality and affordable health care, immigration, energy, youth violence, and financial security. Loraine current professional focus is on expanding the use of restorative justice and restorative practices both domestically and abroad. Loraine is a trainer with the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution and Co-Director of the USDA Certified Agricultural Mediation Program. She is also a federally certified EEO investigator and performs a variety of workplace investigations including harassment, discrimination and other alleged misconduct.