Elyse Kennedy, MA, BCBA, LBA is a Licensed & Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator, Guardian Ad Litem, and Parenting Coordinator who has dedicated over 13 years to serving children and families in Florida. She holds a Bachelor in Psychology, a Master in Exceptional Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, and is currently pursuing a Master in Social Work.
Elyse founded Serenity Family Solutions on the principles of effective communication and conflict resolution skills. In a field dominated by litigation, Serenity Family Solutions strives to provide alternatives that are better suited to children and families. She also created the Two Hour Divorce® service to help keep couples and families out of court by offering a streamlined, structured, and settlement-focused alternative to traditional divorce litigation.
Recognizing the need for greater attention to safety, power imbalances, coercive control, and family dynamics within dispute resolution processes, Elyse founded Safe To Mediate™, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, and evidence-informed screening practices in mediation and other forms of family dispute resolution. The organization was created to support mediators, attorneys, courts, and mental health professionals in identifying risk factors that may affect a participant’s ability to engage safely and effectively in mediation, while promoting practices that prioritize informed decision-making, participant safety, and the well-being of children and families.
Jackie Otero is a Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator, business professional, and higher education leader based in Winter Park, Florida. With a Master’s degree in business from New York University, a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Yale University, and 20+ years of experience managing hundreds of employees and thousands of clients, she served as a business professor, university dean, and conduct officer before moving into family mediation. She combines personal experience in navigating difficult family scenarios with professional experience in facilitating conflict resolution in business to help people efficiently move on with the next chapter of life. In addition to her educational and mediation background, she has a passion for helping families working through addiction recovery and mental health issues in their parenting plans.
Jackie Otero, MA is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, business professional, and higher education leader based in Winter Park, Florida. With a Master’s degree in business from New York University, a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Yale University, and 20+ years of experience managing hundreds of employees and thousands of clients, she served as a business professor, university dean, and conduct officer before moving into family mediation. She combines personal experience in navigating difficult family scenarios with professional experience in facilitating conflict resolution in business to help people efficiently move on with the next chapter of life. In addition to her educational and mediation background, she has a passion for helping families working through addiction recovery and mental health issues in their parenting plans.
Stephanie Nicholson is a Florida-based legal professional, business owner, and experienced paralegal with more than 22 years of experience in the legal field. Her background includes estate planning and probate, insurance defense, civil litigation, and pre-suit insurance claims, providing her with a broad understanding of the legal and practical issues that can arise during times of conflict and transition. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with attorneys and clients, managing complex legal matters and sensitive situations with professionalism, organization, and attention to detail. She brings this practical experience to mediation with a compassionate, resolution-focused approach designed to help individuals navigate conflict and reach thoughtful, workable agreements. Stephanie is also committed to serving her community and has a longstanding passion for animal welfare, including volunteer work with animal rescue organizations and serving as a foster parent.
Francel Cornelio is the Operations Assistant at Serenity Family Solutions, where she manages administrative operations and serves as a key point of contact for clients. She brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting the team in delivering exceptional service to individuals and families. Francel has a background in administrative support and client relations, ensuring smooth operations and effective communication across all aspects of the practice. She enjoys building positive connections with clients and helping families navigate the process with ease. In her free time, Francel enjoys spending time with her daughter.
Alexis is the Client Intake Specialist and a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for Marketing. Originally from South Carolina, she grew up as an “Army Brat” and has called Florida home since 1992. With a background in the Virtual Office and Executive Suite Industry since 2005, Alexis has helped hundreds of businesses across Orlando grow and thrive. She loves connecting with fellow business owners and entrepreneurs, and has served on the boards of NAWBO Orlando and Go for the Greens. In her free time, Alexis enjoys scrapbooking, planning fun girls’ nights out, and making memories with her kids and family.
Our core values are Passion, Collaboration, Integrity, and Peace. We strive to always provide our best to each client and family, whether we’re providing mediation, guardian ad litem services, parent coordination, care coordination, or collaborative family practice. We value each and every person and want our services to be available to everyone.
