About
A steady, impartial presence when conversations are hard.
Cornerstone Mediation Services was founded on a simple conviction: most disputes are not resolved by force of argument, but by people finally being heard.
Dr. Ayo Akingbemi is the founder and president of Cornerstone Mediation Services. He is a certified mediator with more than 35 years of public and private sector experience in leadership, management, education, counseling, and community service — a career spent, in one form or another, helping people work through difficult questions together.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Government. Alongside his professional mediation training, he brings deep experience in conflict resolution, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and stakeholder engagement — the kind of background that helps him understand a boardroom, a church council, and a family kitchen table alike.
Dr. Akingbemi has served as an adjunct faculty member at colleges and universities, as a mentor to emerging leaders, and as a biblical counselor. Those roles shape how he works: patiently, without judgment, and with genuine interest in what each person is trying to say.
His mediation philosophy is straightforward. Listen first. Make sure everyone is understood before anyone is asked to decide. Keep the process fair, confidential, and respectful. And aim for agreements that hold up over time and preserve relationships wherever that is possible.
What guides the work
- Active listening
- Mutual understanding
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Fairness and impartiality
- Dignity and respect
- Confidentiality
Cornerstone Mediation Services is based in San Bernardino and serves clients across San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. All four core services may also be delivered online via Zoom throughout California where appropriate.