Our Board of Directors

Robert R. Haskins is an attorney with over 35 years of experience. He is involved in all aspects of medical defense litigation including case assessment, fact and medical investigation reviews, depositions, motions and appeals. Mr. Haskins’ law practice centers on the defense of physicians, nurses, hospitals and nursing homes in medical malpractice litigation. In addition, he represents plaintiffs in personal injury litigation. Mr. Haskins is also an experienced, certified mediator. Mr. Haskins is admitted to practice in all New York State courts and the United States District Courts in both the Southern and Northern Districts of New York. He received his BA from the State University of New York at New Paltz before earning his Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University School of Law. In addition to his distinguished law career, Mr. Haskins makes a positive impact on our community by contributing his expertise to many local not-for-profits. He has served on numerous boards, including Mental Health America, Kaatsbaan Center for Dance and the Springside Restoration. Mr. Haskins has lectured at Oxford University on reproductive rights and has taught Reproductive Law and Policy at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He has had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the New York State convention of the National Organization of Women. — Robert R. Haskins (President)

John Tolliver is a volunteer mediator and arbitrator with over a decade of experience helping individuals and families. Recognized by the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) for his impactful service, John has mediated a wide range of cases, including small claims disputes, family visitation and custody matters, and surrogate’s court issues. Before his work in mediation, John built a distinguished 30+ year career in the nuclear chemistry field, following six years of honorable service in the U.S. Navy, where he served aboard the fast attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN-699). His diverse professional background also includes experience as an engineer and gemstone seller. In addition to his contributions to conflict resolution, John is committed to community health and animal welfare, having volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps and actively supported animal rescue efforts. His multifaceted career and volunteerism reflect a deep commitment to service, problem-solving, and compassion. — John Tolliver (Vice President)

Margie Smith has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, donor engagement, and executive support at Vassar College. In the Advancement Office, she provides operational logistics for both regional and international programs. Margie has also worked with Vassar’s Leadership Gifts and Gift Planning team, helping major gift officers with prospect research, travel planning, and donor communications. Her skills in operations and teamwork, as well as her dedication to service directly support the organizations and groups she volunteers with. — Margie Smith (Treasurer)

Karen T. Blonder is a volunteer mediator who has facilitated cases with MCDC for more than 12 years. Dr. Blonder is a retired nurse and educator who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University, and subsequent Master of Arts in Education and Doctorate degrees from Columbia University. Continuing her lifelong commitment to teaching and learning, she is a member of the Center for Lifelong Studies Curriculum Committee at Marist College. Dr. Blonder is also an active member of the Patient-Family Advisory Committee at Vassar Hospital, the Professional Nurses Association of Dutchess-Putnam Counties, and the Organization of Retired Educators at Dutchess Community College. She is an active community volunteer, including service as an ambassador at Walkway Over the Hudson as well as an animal lover, who offers Dog Therapy with her certified therapy dog Lexi at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors at Dutchess County SPCA. — Karen T. Blonder (Secretary)

Bonnie Allen has worked for The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence since 2014. She holds a Master’s in Behavioral Psychology from Adelphi University and has over 35 years of experience in the field of domestic violence. Bonnie was Dutchess County’s first Universal Response to Domestic Violence Coordinator, where she collaborated with multiple systems to improve the county’s response to domestic violence.She assisted in the development of a Domestic Violence Bench Manual. She has worked extensively with victims, offenders, and children affected by domestic violence. She began her career as a Child and Family Therapist at the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She also spent 15 years as a facilitator for an offender accountability program and served as Family Program Manager at the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, helping implement a protocol for safely mediating custody and visitation issues. Bonnie is deeply knowledgeable about domestic violence from all perspectives and understands its complex intersections with mental health, substance abuse, child abuse and trauma. — Bonnie Allen

Maura A. Barrett

Lauren S. Evans

Stacey Lee, New York State Notary Public, Secretary, is the Office Manager at Professional Financial Consultants in Wappingers Falls, New York, and previously the Office Manager at Southern Dutchess Behavioral Group. Stacey is actively involved in The Alzheimer’s Association, The American Heart Association, and The American Cancer Society. Stacey resides in Dutchess County since 1996, previously of Queens, New York, with her husband and the proud parent to her daughter Julia. Stacey enjoys the outdoors, working out, seeing live music events, especially her husband, and doing ceramics with her Mom. Stacey was very involved in the PTA in the Wappingers Central School District from 2005 through 2018 at the local unit level, the Council level, and the Regional level, overseeing 84 units. — Stacey Lee

Chianti Lewis is a staff attorney who specializes in housing law with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. As an attorney within a nonprofit organization, Ms. Lewis represents tenants in non-payment and holdover proceedings, in obtaining and maintaining section 8 vouchers, and homeowners in complex foreclosures. Before joining Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, she was an Assistant Managing Attorney at Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates in Fishkill. Ms. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany and her Juris Doctor at Barry University School of Law. — Chianti Lewis

Joseph P. Petito, Esq., is an experienced public servant and attorney. Joseph represents clients in criminal, family, matrimonial, and civil matters from inception through trial and appeal at Sholes Miller Rodriguez & Brown PLLC. Previously, he was elected Town Justice for the Town of Hyde Park Court from 2015 to 2023, presiding over thousands of criminal, civil, and traffic cases and managing court operations and staff. A cum laude graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Political Science graduate of the University of Hartford, Joseph brings decades of courtroom experience and community leadership to the MCDC board. — Joseph P. Petito

(845) 471-7213
205 South Avenue #200
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

©2026 All rights reserved. The Mediation Center of Dutchess County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 14-1762932. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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