New Chapter for Mediators Foundation: Honoring our Past, Celebrating our Future
At Mediators Foundation, we are continually inspired by the shared commitment of so many in our network to heal divides and reimagine our civic life. Today, we write with both deep gratitude and great anticipation as we share a meaningful transition in our organization. Founder Mark Gerzon is transitioning from President of Mediators Foundation to Chair of the Board. Jacob Bornstein was selected as Mediator's new President and is joined by new board and staff members.
As we turn a page in the story of Mediators Foundation, we do so with reverence for the legacy that has brought us to this critical point in our history. These changes reflect not only a generational shift, but a reaffirmation of our enduring mission to support a more coherent, impactful, and innovative civic ecosystem.
After four decades of dedicated service. Mark Gerzon—visionary founder, author, and mediator—is stepping back from day-to-day leadership of Mediators Foundation.
As President of Mediators Foundation since 1986, Mark has stood at the forefront of bridging divides, both at home and abroad. He helped design and facilitate the first bipartisan Congressional Retreats, participated in Track II diplomacy during the final years of the Cold War, and worked with colleagues in conflict transformation across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. His seminal books, Leading Through Conflict and The Reunited States of America, have shaped generations of bridgebuilders. His work convening leaders across ideological and institutional boundaries—from conservative and progressive foundations to grassroots and global changemakers—has catalyzed a more resilient and effective field of civic empowerment. Through it all, he’s remained a generous mentor quietly encouraging and expanding what’s possible in the work of democratic renewal.
Mark will continue on as Chair of the Mediators Foundation Board, deepen his contributions through new writing and film projects, and stay committed to weaving the field into a more potent, coherent, and visible force in American culture. He is inspired by his eight dynamic and diverse grandchildren (and three great-grandchildren) to find new ways to mentor a next generation of civic leaders. We could not be more grateful for the time we’ve had working alongside Mark and are committed to carrying on his groundbreaking spirit into the future with fresh energy and vision.
At the helm of this next phase is Jacob Bornstein, who we are thrilled to announce as the new President of Mediators Foundation. He is joined by a growing staff of young peacebuilders, including Mesa Sebree as Program Manager, Alyssa Newlon as Strategic Operations & Development Director, and Erik Arndt as Executive Assistant. We’re also honored to welcome the wisdom and leadership of two new board members: Maria Brinck and Marisol Rodriguez.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Jacob Bornstein, our new President! As President of Mediators Foundation and Executive Director of Better Together America, Jacob is focused on continuing to build connective infrastructure — within our networks of projects, Civic Hubs, and the broader civic ecosystem.
Jacob has a long history of successful work as a civic systems strategist and collaborative leadership expert working to reimagine democracy from the ground up. Jacob is a Founding board member of the Civic Consulting Collaborative and was previously the Executive Director of the Colorado Watershed Network, a statewide nonprofit in Colorado. He has spent the past two decades working alongside communities and states across the U.S., building trust and tackling complex challenges through collaborative problem solving — from water supply and climate action to public safety, affordable housing, and behavioral health. After a quarter century of work across sectors and scales, he has learned that real change happens when people know where to go in their community to be heard, solve problems together, and build something better.
At Mediators Foundation, Jacob has led the growth of that kind of infrastructure — through Civic Hubs, collaborative leadership, and fieldwide innovation — so that our democracy is not just preserved, but reimagined. Jacob leads with his heart, and we could not be more excited and confident in his stewardship of this new chapter for Mediators Foundation.
As the Mediators project network continues to grow, we’re excited to welcome Mesa Sebree as our new Program Manager. A researcher, community-builder, and nonviolence practitioner, Mesa has supported Mediators in a variety of roles over the past two years, including support for new and existing projects. With a background in political science, conflict studies, and global development, she brings a deep commitment to locally driven action and cross-sector collaboration. Under her stewardship, we can expect new offerings to our projects and an increased effort to provide opportunities for cross-pollination, connection, and ultimately community.
In addition to expanding our Project Cultivation offerings, we are excited to announce two new organizational pillars: Consulting and Field-building Initiatives. (Keep an eye out for more information soon!) This "renovation" of Mediators Foundation’s offerings has been enhanced by the expertise of Alyssa Newlon, our Strategic Operations and Development Director. For the past decade, Alyssa has been an effective social impact strategist and nonprofit director. She is now catalyzing our two field-building initiatives: Better Together America and the Civic Exchange. We are thankful to have her on the team. We are also excited to welcome Erik Arndt to the Mediators cadre as Executive Assistant. Having worked closely with Jacob for the last several years as a project manager, Erik is passionate about the intersection of community and environmental resilience and has participated in projects at the local, state, and international levels in pursuit of this passion.
Finally, we would like to introduce two incredible additions to our Board. Each brings unique gifts, perspectives, and deep commitment to the work of bridgebuilding and civic renewal—and we’re confident they will help Mediators Foundation and the field we support grow in powerful and meaningful ways.
Maria Brinck is the Founder and President of Zynergy International, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm serving Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders. With over 20 years of experience at companies like GE, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, she brings deep corporate insight to her work. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with CPCC and ACC credentials, Maria helps individuals and teams lead with authenticity and impact. Originally from Sweden, she holds a degree in International Business from the University of Colorado and is fluent in Swedish, French, and English. She is also a climate advocate and upcoming author of The Leadership We Need (Hachette, 2025).
Marisol Rodriguez is the Founder of Insignia Partners, a strategic consulting firm that supports nonprofits and public institutions with organizational development, leadership alignment, and effective governance. With a background in political science and nonprofit management, she has worked with nonprofit boards across the country to strengthen performance, clarify strategy, and build inclusive, mission-driven cultures. Marisol is a respected advisor in the education and civic sectors, known for fostering collaboration and equity. In 2024, she also ran for the Colorado State Board of Education, bringing forward her deep experience in supporting systems that serve diverse communities.
As we celebrate this moment of transition, we are filled with gratitude—for the legacy that has shaped us, the people who continue to inspire us, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your partnership, encouragement, and shared belief in the power of connection continue to fuel our mission.
