Credentials

Areas of training:

Who is Rachel Donovan?

My basic and advanced family mediation training was completed through UNM Law School. I have been a mediator since 2013. I also volunteer for several courts throughout the state, giving back to the community. I am currently the Co-Chair of the New Mexico State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution’s Committee, a member of the NM Supreme Court’s ADR Commission and a coach for new mediators at UNM School of Law.

I spent 31+ years in the finance industry, helping people with their home ownership goals; training them in budgeting; money-management skills; advising clients and borrowers on credit; and teaching communication skills in classes.

Rachel Donovan Resume – 2025

| 505-328-4792 |   abqmediation@gmail.com

Summary

          The most valuable people in life are those who remain teachable.  Each role listed below has allowed me to take hundreds of hours of training to be proficient.  I am Malcom Baldridge Quality Management Certified, and ISO 9001 Trained in processes and procedures.  I won the Good Neighbor Award for volunteer work from the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors, 2017 and Chaplain of the Year for Albuquerque Police Department 2020.     

Experience:

2025 Created Mediation Training/Mentoring Program

Working with several state agencies to create a training program for mediation to young adults and bi-lingual Spanish speakers to be able to mediate for the community and the courts in Spanish speaking areas. 

2023 to Present Mediation Mentoring Program for New Mediators

Mentoring new mediators coming out of law school to help them practice their mediation skills and find connections within the mediation community. 

2024 to Present State of NM Office of Mitigation, Prevention and Resolution

Certified in Restorative Practices Facilitation to contract with the State of NM to facilitate Restorative Practices for the agencies within the state of NM.  DOC, DOD, DOH, DOE, etc.  Contract authentication in process. 

2023 Appointed to the Supreme Court of NM Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission.  Appointed Feb. 2023 for 3-year term.  The purpose of this commission is to ensure ADR availability to all courts throughout the state of NM geared towards the public.

2023 to Present Contract Mediator with State of NM Personnel Office

Contract mediation for the NM State Personnel Office. 

2022 to Present Co-Chair – State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

This committee provides training for attorneys and mediators as well as coordinating alternative dispute resolution options, resources, and information for all attorneys and mediators throughout the state.  We also facilitate an annual ADR Institute with available CLE’s for attorneys to meet their annual credit hours of education for licensing.  Working alongside attorneys for special events like the Peter Johnstone Day for the public and other pro bono court events for Modest Means court days. 

2022 To Present Coaching New Mediation Students at UNM Law School. 

Coaching law students who take the mediation class as part of their curriculum.

2020 to Present: Advisory Consultant to the courts for high conflict custody cases.  Process includes interviewing all participants in the children’s lives and making recommendations to the court based on 14 points of ‘best interests,’ of the children.  Essentially being the eyes and ears of the Judge and court.  Also, testifying in court to support those recommendations.  Training from Corrine Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice, Court Clinic Team for the Second Judicial District Family Court.   

2018 To Present Steering Committee for the NM State Bar ADR Committee

Part of the SB ADR Committee Steering Committee since 2018 when Shannon Driscoll was the Chair. 

2016 to Present: – Owner Albuquerque Mediation Services, LLC. Mediating family, divorce, custody, parentage, contract disputes, credit disputes, real estate and personnel disputes.  Serving the courts throughout the state of NM, along with the State Bar of NM, and State of New Mexico, General Risk Division.  Volunteer mediator for Metropolitan and Magistrate courts 2014 to present.  www.abqmediation.com

2019 to 12/2021 – Chaplain Albuquerque Police Department

On call to help Police stabilize scenes, secure families and loved ones while they take care of their investigations.  Providing comfort and support to families and loved ones.  Explaining the process to them and giving out resources for follow up grief support.  

2015 to 9/2020 – Bernalillo County Fire Department Volunteer Chaplain. Participate in emergency events for civilian and police/fire.  Includes training with Bernalillo County Citizens Police Academy.  Includes participation in emergency events like the Dog Head Fire.  Promoted to Senior Chaplain Asst. to Senior Chaplain March 2017 – Feb. 2019

2014 to 12/2021 – CERT, Dept. Homeland Security and Medical Reserve Corp Exercises and event support.  Various training exercises and missions in support of City of Albuquerque Emergency Management events.  Worked with Department of Homeland Security and Full-Scale DHS emergency management exercises.  Bataan Death March Memorial 2018.

2014 to 3/2022 – IFOC – International Fellowship of Chaplains – Ordained Sr. Chaplain Various training and deployments as Chaplains to help during First Responder funerals, people in crisis and first responders in crisis.  Working with Red Cross, Medical Reserve Corps and Dept. of Homeland Security on different missions/deployments.  Training with the National Guard. 

2018 to Present – Presentations on Communication

NM Dept. of Health, 2023 to Present, Medical Reserve Corps, Keynote Speaker 2025, Rio Grande Valley Blue Star Mothers of America, Keynote Speaker and Team trainer/Facilitator, AmeriCorps, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Association of NM; received Community Advocacy Award 2024, NM Veterans Business Advocates, Medical Reserve Corps and El Centro, Medical Center.  Teaching Conflict and Communication, the impact of our words in the role of communication and conflict. 

New Mexico – Volunteer work,

2025 Presently teaching Leadership DNA Course for Sagebrush Church. 

2024 To Present – Volunteer for NM DOC teaching Bible Study to incarcerated.  I am currently teaching at the Penitentiary in Santa Fe.  Also taught at the Los Lunas Campus and the NM Men’s Rehabilitation Academy in Los Lunas.   

2022 to Present – Chaplain Tribute To Women In the Military (TWIM)

2022 to 2024 – Guest Chaplain NM Senate

2019 – City of Abq. Faith based initiative on suicide prevention of service members, veterans, and their families. 

Veterans Business Outreach Center – Boots to Business trainer – 5 years. 2013 – 2019  

Crisis and Suicide Prevention training with NM Army National Guard.

Wings International – Volunteer with Ann Edenfield Sweet for various tasks & presentations.

KAFB – Teaching First Term Airmen – and Non-Commissioned Officers money management.

Bible Study Classes – Money, Communication & Discipling 2008- present

YDDC – 1 ½ years, Dismas House – 2.5 years, 2004-2006

RGV Blue Star Mothers – 4 years Treasurer, 2005 – 2009

East Mountain Chamber of Commerce – President 2 years, 2005 – 2007

NM Veterans Business Advocates – 9 Years Secretary, 2004 – 2013

1978 to 2004 – Volunteer work Chicago – youth detention center – 3 years, bible study. Domestic Violence center of Will County – volunteer teacher of finances.  Morningstar Mission – Men’s Transition Facility, 5 years, teaching biblical work ethics, business, budgeting. 

1989 to 12/31/19: – Senior Mortgage Loan Officer

30 Years of experience in consumer and residential financing.  Teaching budgeting, negotiation credit/default and all personal finance, asset, and debt responsibilities.  Management experience for 6 years.  Retired 12/31/19. 

Hobbies:    Writing, outdoor events, and activities.

2012 – Published Author:  He Is Enough, God Needs People Who Don’t Scare Easily. 

References:                 Upon request