Denise Hedges, as Senior Mediator (ADR), directs the Board's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training and outreach programs, develops and maintains the training curriculum, delivers training to interested parties, and conducts facilitation and grievance mediation. In this position, Denise manages the Office of ADR Services and supervises the ADR staff. As one of two designated NMB Ombudsmen, Ms. Hedges addresses as appropriate, problems presented by agency employees or contractors regarding actions of the NMB or its managers and employees. She also remains active as a mediator and facilitator in airline and railroad cases.

Denise joined the agency in September of 2000 as a Mediator. In that capacity, she handled both airline and railroad mediation cases, and conducted Interest Based Bargaining (IBB), Facilitative Problem Solving (FPS), Grievance Mediation and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Training and Facilitation.

Prior to joining the Board, Denise had over 30 years of experience in the airline industry with 25 years of Labor Relations experience including 8 years as President of a major airline union. She has negotiated collective bargaining agreements under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Federal Labor Relations Act (FLRA).

Ms. Hedges earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University and was inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, the National Sociology Honorary. She has post-graduate training and education in negotiation, grievance and arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, grievance mediation, facilitation and online dispute resolution.