Michele Mattsson HBA’85 JD’88, chief appellate mediator for the Utah Court of Appeals and president of the University of Utah Board of Trustees, the first woman to hold the position, received the 2015 Peacekeeper Award from the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution. The award is presented annually to an outstanding member of the community who has exemplified a superior commitment to the process of peace and conflict resolution. Mattsson has dedicated herself to the advancement of collaborative resolution of conflicts in Utah for many years. She served as chair of the council in 2014 during a critical time and took the lead to revive the organization. She has served as vice president of the board of trustees for Utah Dispute Resolution since 2008, is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee with the Utah State Courts, and served for five years on the executive committee of the Dispute Resolution Section of the Utah State Bar. Her professionalism, integrity, and character have opened the doors in mediation, as she has assisted countless attorneys to recognize its benefits.
In 2010, Mattsson was listed among Utah’s “Women to Watch” by Utah Business magazine. At the U, she has served as president of the Alumni Association and has participated on the boards of Red Butte Garden, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and KUED-7. Her calm presence, facilitative leadership style, ability to bridge differing opinions, and her selfless service are examples of the way she conscientiously meets her commitments and serves without expectation of recognition.
The Utah Council on Conflict Resolution is a statewide umbrella organization committed to enhancing the network of professionals who provide or promote conflict resolution.
