Carolyn Mark is a professional mediator and facilitator focused on resolving conflict in non-profits, educational organizations, and communities. She is committed to empowering individuals and groups to meaningfully participate in decision-making on matters that impact them. Carolyn sees power in perspective-taking, and believes that the best decisions are made when those most impacted determine the outcome.
Carolyn currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Mediation and Collaboration of Rhode Island. She has worked for more than 30 years to advance economic and social justice at the national, state, and local levels. Carolyn served for eight years as an elected member of the East Greenwich School Committee, bringing a commitment to stakeholder engagement in district decision-making. As chair for six years, she led strategic planning, labor negotiations, mental health and wellness initiatives, and the annual budget process.
Carolyn previously served as board chair for the Economic Progress Institute, and as president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Organization for Women (RI NOW). At RI NOW, she worked to ensure that women have access to comprehensive health care and economic opportunity. She also served as a labor educator for AFSCME, and a program director and executive director for several economic development non-profit organizations.
Carolyn has been a student and practitioner of dispute resolution for over thirty years. In 2021, Carolyn developed a professional mediation practice after completing the Basic Mediation Training through the Center for Mediation and Collaboration of RI (CMCRI). She serves as a volunteer mediator in CMCRI’s district court program, mediating landlord/tenant and small claims disputes. Carolyn also provides workplace and other mediation services privately as well as through CMCRI’s community mediation program. She has also been contracted to serve as a special education mediator for the Rhode Island Department of Education.
Master of City Planning (MCP), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Concentration: Housing and Community Development)
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Labor Studies and Industrial Relations
Carolyn provides a free initial consultation and will work on a fee arrangement acceptable to all parties, taking into account ability to pay.
