Empowered Pathways Executive Director Timothy Lyon has been selected as a featured panelist for an upcoming New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) professional development program focused on career pathways in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
The virtual panel discussion, titled:
“Building Your Future in Using ADR: Career Insights from the Field”
will take place on June 17, 2026, and is designed for AmeriCorps members and professionals throughout New York’s Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) network.
The panel will bring together nationally recognized leaders in mediation, arbitration, legal practice, education, and organizational leadership to discuss the realities of building a sustainable career in alternative dispute resolution. Topics will include mentorship, professional development, specialization, leadership, volunteerism, networking, and the evolving future of ADR practice.
Lyon was invited to participate alongside distinguished ADR professionals from across the country, including representatives from the American Arbitration Association, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and leading mediation and legal organizations.
The invitation specifically recognized Lyon’s professional journey through the Community Dispute Resolution Center network. After joining Empowered Pathways as an AmeriCorps member in 2019, Lyon advanced through multiple leadership roles within the organization before being appointed Executive Director in 2026.
“Tim’s journey is a living testament to what is possible through national service and the CDRC network,” organizers shared in the event announcement.
The program will provide AmeriCorps members and emerging ADR practitioners with opportunities to hear directly from experienced professionals about the many pathways available within mediation, restorative practices, arbitration, and community dispute resolution work.
“I’m honored to participate in this conversation and share my experiences with current AmeriCorps members and future ADR professionals,” said Lyon. “The Community Dispute Resolution Center network played a major role in my own professional growth, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage and support the next generation entering this field.”
Empowered Pathways continues to play an active role within New York State’s dispute resolution and restorative practices community through mediation services, restorative programming, training initiatives, and leadership development efforts across the Mohawk Valley and beyond.
