Hilary Roberts

Hilary Roberts, the Executive Director of Peer Advocates Training and Consulting in Oakland, CA, has been working with individuals, groups, schools and universities, and public and private organizations, to build and sustain capacity in the areas of Peer Programming, Conscious Communication, Conflict Resolution, Restorative Practices and Leadership since 1979. As an Educator, Trainer, Consultant and Advisor to many school districts around the country, Ms. Roberts spent 26 years with the Fremont Unified School District in a variety of positions, including Small Learning Communities Coordinator, Project Based Learning Coordinator, Peer Assistance Review Mentor, as well as – for nearly 20 years – as a Peer Resources Coordinator, training youth to counsel other youth, present Peer Education, and carry out Conflict Mediation and Restorative Practices work as youth to youth advocates.

As an Educator for the New York City Board of Education, Ms. Roberts was honored with an Impact II Award for Excellence in Program Development for her trauma informed program – Try Another Way – working with marginalized youth and adolescents on the Autism spectrum.

In addition, Ms. Roberts’ tenure as an Educator with Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, was notable for her work with formerly incarcerated youth and youth with serious social–emotional issues. Grounded in the principles of Re-Education, it was through this work with youth and their families, that she pursued Re-Education’s mission to help troubled youth successfully learn and grow through the Re-ED approach, blending quality education and mental health services in partnership with families, schools, and communities.

Ms. Roberts is currently working with municipal agencies, police departments, district and site administrators, youth, teachers, counselors, community organizations and community members to rethink and reshape their personal and organizational culture, communication skills and disciplinary practices for more balanced and peaceable outcomes.

Ms. Roberts holds a Masters Degree from Columbia University in Education with a focus on two populations: adolescents with serious emotional and mental health issues, and adolescents on the Autism spectrum. She holds a number of K–12 teaching credentials from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, including a few Special Education and Multiple Subjects credentials, as well as an Eminence Credential in Multi-Cultural Dance.

In addition to these credentials and certifications, Ms. Roberts has received numerous honors and acclamations for her multi-cultural dance and music work here and abroad – having traveled throughout the world as an Ambassador and Peacemaker through the performance, teaching and sharing of multi-cultural dance and music forms.

Ms. Roberts is also a trained Conflict Mediator, Brief Intervention Counselor working with substance abusers, and a Trauma First Aide Counselor working with individuals who have experienced emotional and psychological trauma.