Board of Directors and Staff Members

Siham Awada Jaafar, President & CEO of 3D Consulting and Communications, offers cultural competency and diversity training for various organizations. She has created projects for community and public affairs programs, women in leadership, scholarship programs, and underserved communities. Siham is a certified mediator, former Dearborn Heights Planning Commissioner, and NAWBO Public Policy Chairwoman. Siham was appointed to the Judicial Tenure Commission in Michigan in 2019 by the Governor and was reappointed in 2023, serving an additional 3-year term. She and her husband, Hassane, have two wonderful children, Gina and Alex, and an adorable, intuitive and brilliant grandson, Jordan, who are her priorities.

Raj Kutty is an expert in technology management, strategic business planning, and portfolio management for clients in various industries. He graduated from Cardiff Business School, University of Wales. Mr. Kutty has an MBA in Finance and is currently studying for a Masters in Advanced Analytics in Management Consulting at the University of Michigan. Mr. Kutty has been with WCDRC since 2010, serving in various roles. Mr. Kutty collaborates with Directors and staff to support WCDRC's mission and align finances and operations with strategic plan.

Suresh Pillai, a finance executive with Ford Motor Company, has served on the WCDRC board since 2013. He currently works in Securitizations Operations in Ford’s Global Treasury Organization. Prior to becoming a finance professional, he spent several years as a mechanical engineer with a focus on computer aided design. He has also consulted for several large manufacturing organizations to develop efficiencies in the product development process and reduce design to market time. Pillai holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
 

Marifer Calleja, a Public Affairs professional with DTE Energy, joined WCDRC board in 2018. She is a Community Affairs Sr. Program Manager serving the counties of Washtenaw, Monroe, and Lenawee, Mi. Marifer‘s previous experience includes government, non-profit, education, media, and the private sector. Marifer has a Masters degree in Creativity and Change Leadership from SUNY and a BA in Communications and Art History. 

Hon. Melissa A. Cox, a 3rd Circuit Court judge, was elected in 2016 and is currently the presiding judge of the Family Division. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her JD from Ave Maria School of Law. Cox began her legal career as a law clerk at Fausone Bohn, LLP and later worked as an associate attorney, handling high-volume cases in family law. She is a board member of various associations and was named one of the Top Circuit Court Judges by "DBusiness" magazine.

Hon. Eric W. Cholack is a Wayne County Circuit Judge in the Domestic Relations division, handling divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, property division, and domestic violence/personal protection orders. He has experience as an Assistant Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney, conducting over 50 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. Cholack has also worked in private civil practice, focusing on labor and employment law and mediation. He is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University, University of Detroit-Mercy, and WMU Cooley Law Schools, teaching counseling and negotiation courses.

The Hon. Kathleen M. McCarthy served on the Wayne County Family Court Bench since
January of 2001. She was named the Presiding Judge of the Family Division in 2013 and
served until August of 2021 in that capacity, until moving to the Civil Division. She was
recently presented with a Marilyn J. Kelly Award for Outstanding Service to the Practice of
Family Law, by the State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section as well as received a 15 Years
of Judicial Service commendation from them. As an adjunct professor, Judge McCarthy
taught the Family Law and Law Firm Program courses at the University Detroit Mercy Law
School from 2011-2019. In addition, she has taught around the country from 2001 – 2015
for the Institute of Certified Divorce Financial Planners. A life-long resident of the Detroit
area, Judge McCarthy earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her
Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law.
Judge McCarthy is an active speaker on issues involving family law having presented at
AAML, ICLE, the Michigan Inter-Professional Association (MIPA), Images and Perceptions
Diversity Conference and MJI conferences over the past two decades. She currently sits on
the Board of the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center Board. She is past President of
the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association and the Dearborn Bar Association. Among
other positions of leadership, Judge McCarthy sat on the Executive Board of the 3 rd Judicial
Circuit Court, Board of the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Board of the
Mediation Tribunal Association, Board of Michigan Legal Help, Board of the Arab-American
Civil Rights League, and was a member of the MJI Leadership Team, MJI Family Division
Academic Advisory Committee (AAC), and Mentor team. Prior to taking the bench, Judge
McCarthy was a partner in the law firm of Boulahanis & McCarthy, PC.
Judge McCarthy is married and has two children.

Youssef Mosallam, Ph.D., was appointed to Superintendent of Crestwood School District in November of 2019. Youssef has 20 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. Mosallam is also an LEO adjunct professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a focus on Public Administration and working with English Language Learners. He is currently involved with outreach programs that have a focus on diversity education. Mosallam earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Wayne State University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University.

Hon. David Perkins, a Detroit judge, was elected to Wayne County Probate Court in 2018. He has held various positions, including Wayne County Juvenile Court Referee, Magistrate, Assistant Corporation Counsel, and Judge Advocate for the Michigan National Guard. Perkins holds a Juris Doctorate from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. He has served on committees of the American Bar Association, Michigan Young Lawyers, and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. He is an adjunct professor at WCCCD and has received numerous awards for his community work. Perkins mentors at-risk youth and advocates for young voices to be heard, aiming to improve the lives of Wayne County's youth and Detroit's citizens.
Judge Perkins in 2020 was re-elected to The State Bar Board of Commissioners for the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a member of the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association  

Judge Perkins Chaired: The Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice of the American Bar Association (ABA); Chaired the Michigan Young Lawyers and served on various Committees of both the ABA and State Bar of Michigan He has been a Past President of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan and The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association.  He is a lifetime member of the NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a member of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.  He presently serves on Board of Directors for: Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center; The Black United Fund of Michigan; the Reggie McKenzie Foundation and as a lay minister in his church. He has been actively involved with many community and labor groups. While a Referee he volunteered as a jurist for a teen-court program and presided over Juvenile Drug Court.  He currently works as an adjunct professor at WCCCD. Judge Perkins has been given numerous awards for his community work. He often mentors at risk youth.  Judge Perkins believes that all young voices, shall have a forum for their voices to be heard.  He strives to help make a better way for our young people and all citizens of Wayne County and the City of Detroit.

John Sier, an attorney for Kitch Attorneys & Counselors, PC concentrates his practice in dispute avoidance and resolution of commercial, health care and construction contract issues as well as counseling clients on cyber risk exposure. Sier is head of the firm’s construction and commercial litigation group and serves as the pro bono coordinator. Sier has served on boards of several charitable and community organizations. He earned an A.B. in Political Science and Communications from Loyola University Chicago, an MA in Mass Communication and Journalism from Drake University, and J.D. from Drake University Law School.
Sier has published, presented and facilitated programs across the country on dispute avoidance and resolution, construction, health care and commercial issues.

Hon. David Turfe serves as District Court Judge for Dearborn Heights 20th District Court, first elected in 2006. He previously served as Dearborn Heights City Councilman, 2000-2001, and as Dearborn Heights Zoning Board Commissioner, 1998-2000. Judge Turfe earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration for Wayne State University and a J.D. from the Detroit College of Law. As an attorney in private practice, he has practiced at every level of the Michigan Judicial System and in the U.S. Federal District Court. Involved in numerous civic, religious and cultural organizations, Judge Turfe serves on the Advisory Boards of S.A.F.E. and Zaman International. He is a founding member of the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, member of Dearborn Heights Kiwanis Club, past president of the Wayne County District Court Judges Association, along with numerous other affiliations.

Sue Wilson, hired in November 2019, has been the Executive Director of the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center since November 2022. With over 30 years of experience in accounting and office management, she has helped the center implement cost-saving processes, digitize operations, and facilitate online mediations. Sue has also strengthened alliances with courts and the Prosecutor's office, forming partnerships to utilize mediation services. She is the Treasurer for the Michigan Community Mediation Association (MCMA). She is an Intuit Platinum ProAdvisor and graduated from Madonna University. After being hired by the center, she also became a Civil and Domestic mediator.

Tiki Phelan is the Administrative Assistant at WCDRC. She retired after 31 years of Federal Service working at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs with most of her career being spent in human resources within the Employee/Labor Relations. She is a proud black woman, mother of three, and grandmother of three. She loves spending her free time vacationing with her family.

Sherry Kull is the Intake Coordinator for our Civil Division and Special Educational Coordinator for SEMS. She has completed certification in General Civil, Mediation, Adult Elder Care and Guardianship, MI- Resolve and Bias Training. Sherry brings over 25 years experience in client relations and office management. Sherry is the proud mother of adult twin girls, with one getting married in 2024. She also has a spoiled dachshund named Charlie.

Dave Sanders is WCDRC’s Mediation Coordinator for our civil cases. He has six years of experience as a Mediator (Civil and Domestic). David retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an executive in Washington D.C. after 28 years of service. In his spare time, he runs a non-profit youth travel baseball organization.

Inam Mustafa began as an intern at the WCDRC since 2022. Now as the Outreach Specialist, she is working towards her certification as a mediator. She will be a graduate of Wayne State University in December 2024 with majors in Political Science Honors and University Honors and minors in Law and Psychology. Inam enjoys spending her free time immersing herself in new experiences with her family and friends. She also has a very loving tuxedo cat, Batman. 

Andra Anderson works as the WCDRC's Domestic Court Supervisor. Andra received her training as a Master Conflict Resolution Specialist in 2010 through Macomb Community College and became a certified mediator in Domestic Relations Mediation, General Civil, and Special Education Mediation. She joined WCDRC in 2011 and has more than 10 years' domestic mediation experience successfully mediating hundreds of cases. Prior to her career in mediation, Andra was a teacher and earned a bachelor's degree in science. One of her hobbies includes playing brain-teaser games that has increased her ability to solve challenges creatively.

Valerie Murphy-Goodrich has worked as a mediator since 2013. She has also done restorative practices work in school settings and specializes in special education mediation. She has led human resources initiatives in municipal, museum, higher education, and community mental health workplaces. She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a Masters in Public Administration. She has also worked as an adjunct lecturer at UM-D.