Staff Directory
John McCullough, Executive Director
John McCullough has been a NYS-certified Mediation Skills Trainer since 1981 and Executive Director of New Justice Services since 1983. McCullough received his graduate training through the interdisciplinary Social Science Program at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, where he focused on violence, group conflict and change, and third party interventions. He has mediated hundreds of cases of all types, involving people from all walks of life and every element of our Central New York community. The NYS Dispute Resolution Association honored McCullough with its Lawrence Cook Peace Innovator Award in 2012. He is currently a member of the NYS Unified Court Systems Statewide Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Heather Saroney, Assistant Director
Heather Saroney has been with New Justice Services since 1998 when she graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. She started working with at-risk youth as a trainer for the Pro-Social Skills Program and then became Program Coordinator for the Project RESPECT Program. Since starting with New Justice in 1998, she has held many job titles including: Office Manager, Data Management Supervisor, Graphic Designer, Lemon Law, Special Ed and ACCES-VR Coordinator, Youth Court Director and most recently, Impartial Hearing Officer for the Syracuse City School District and Small Claims Court Director. She enjoys working with community members and her passion has always been youth focused.
Elayna Munger, Accountant
Elayna Munger joined New Justice Services as Accountant in 2023. Elayna is a graduate of Utica College, where she earned her MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management. She has worked for an assortment of organizations over the course of her more than 30-year accounting career. Elayna enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing DIY projects, and traveling around the world exploring different countries.
Sarah McGuinnes, Cortland County Program Coordinator
Sarah McGuinnes received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a J.D. from New England School of Law, Boston. She has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 2011. Prior to coming to New Justice, Sarah worked at Rosie’s Place, the first women’s shelter in the United States, through the AmeriCorps Legal Advocates of Massachusetts Program, providing free legal aid to homeless and incarcerated women.
Annette Saule, Oswego County Program Coordinator
Annette Saule, Oswego County Program Coordinator for mediation services, has been with New Justice since 2009. She has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from OCC, and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University, along with certificates in Professional Communications, Labor Studies and Paralegal Studies.
Prior to coming to New Justice, Annette has worked in various facets of the legal field, as a Court Clerk, Client Services Representative/Unemployment Insurance Hearing Representative, and as a Human Resources Consultant. Since joining New Justice, Annette has handled hundreds of custody/visitation mediations and has participated in numerous community outreach events. She thoroughly enjoys her work with New Justice and with the Oswego County community.
Cristin Manfredi, Restorative Hearing Officer
Cristin was trained as a peer mediator by New Justice, Inc. in 1998. She studied Psychology and Sociology at SUNY Geneseo, where she earned dual majors and a minor in Conflict Studies. Cristin went on to earn a master's degree in Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies from Woodbury College in Montpellier, Vermont. She continues to grow as a mediator and has attended more than 200 hours of certified mediation training.
After facilitating mediations for New Justice, Inc. from 2007 to 2012, Cristin began private practice Divorce Mediation as an associate to Christine Hickey. In October 2021, Cristin started her private Co-parenting Coaching practice and is currently receiving referrals from judges in Onondaga and the surrounding counties. In the fall of 2024, Cristin rejoined New Justice and is currently working in the Syracuse City Schools as a Restorative Hearing Officer.
Nicholas Shaw, Onondaga County Family Court Coordinator
Nicholas Shaw joined New Justice Services in January 2025 as the Onondaga County Family Court Coordinator, bringing with him a strong background in mentorship and community engagement. He graduated magna cum laude from Cayuga Community College with a concentration in Psychology and continued his studies at Empire State University. Nicholas founded Oswego Parkour, which began independently but later developed into a YMCA partnership that offered both afterschool and evening programs, before he went on to open his own brick-and-mortar training facility called The Ninja Academy. He has also served as an assistant gymnastics coach, camp counselor, before- and after-school childcare counselor, and certified personal trainer, roles that deepened his experience working with youth and families. Beyond athletics, Nicholas has contributed to arts education as a guitar instructor at the William Michael Center for the Arts, and he currently serves as the Music Coordinator for the YMCA of Central New York where he teaches guitar, piano, and drums. His work across athletics, the arts, and mentorship reflects a consistent passion for empowering others and helping them build confidence. He now applies that same philosophy to his role as a family court mediator, helping parents reach cooperative agreements that meet the unique needs of their families.
Catherine Taylor, Formal Hearing Officer
Catherine received a BA from SUNY Empire State College. She began her career with New Justice Services in April 2022. Prior to joining New Justice Services she worked for the state for 20 years in a juvenile detention center as well as supervising a mental health unit at Hillside.