University of Washington Human Resources

• Conflict Resolution/Mediation/Facilitated Dialogues
• Individual Coaching/Employee Development/Leadership Development
• EEOC formal and informal complaint resolution and workforce healing
• Diversity Equity Inclusion Facilitated Conversations
• Change Management/Facilitation/Teambuilding

EXPERIENCE / SELECTED PROJECTS

• Conflict Intervention/Mediation/Facilitated Dialogues
  Over my three decade career I have intervened in hundreds, approaching thousands, of situations in the workplace where people are struggling with conflict.  The interventions, mediations and facilitated dialogues, have led to better working relationships and resolved the presenting issues.  Outcomes included improved communication, increased respect, establishment of behavioral norms and withdrawn complaints.
• Diversity Equity Inclusion Facilitated Conversations
  I have facilitated numerous discussions regarding race and power as part of training module for mediation classes at both a law school and as part of a mediation training open to the public. For my clients, I have facilitated individual conversations as well as team discussions. As an example, my practice is to conduct individual interviews of culturally diverse teams and then held a joint meeting to surface and resolve issues in a productive manner. Outcomes for my clients have included reaffirmed team values and improved communication.
• Employee Development/Coaching/Leadership Coaching
  Leaders and employees cannot be effective when they are at odds with others in the workplace, so my coaching has centered on working through conflict and illuminating effective choices. For example, one high level supervisor was coached how to better deal with her staff and colleagues in a workplace challenged by budget cuts and high caseloads. Outcomes included improved communication with her boss and staff and a decrease in the amount of time she spent on conflict while increasing the productivity overall in the office. Another example is a business owner who was coached through the challenges presented by a difficult but valuable employee whose outbursts were causing disruption and low morale. Outcomes included an increase in confidence and a sense of empowerment to make wise decisions with results that were a win-win for everyone.
• EEOC formal and informal complaint resolution and workforce healing
  I have resolved dozens of EEOC complaints through mediation while director of the Mediation Clinic at Seattle University School of Law. Many of these complaints could have been prevented with an earlier intervention, yet still many can be resolved through a facilitative mediation. An example from my private practice includes resolving a threatened lawsuit against a high level administration official after two individual sessions and one joint session that resulted in a lasting agreement. The outcome was that both parties were satisfied there was a fair resolution and through the process they repaired their working relationship and the threatened lawsuit did not materialize.
• Change Management/Facilitation/Teambuilding
  Because change often brings conflict, I have worked with numerous teams to move them towards effective working relationships and solutions. For example, with input from the employees in one work unit, I designed two half-day meetings with an mid-level manager and then a report out to higher management. Outcomes included a shared definition of a future vision and clarity on what’s working, what’s awry, and what adds value.

CREDENTIALS

• J.D. University of Washington, B.A. Psychology and Sociology University of Colorado Phi Beta Kappa
• Numerous continuing education workshops in mediation, advanced mediation, leadership development, facilitation, race and social justice, coaching and communication
  Certified Mediator by the Washington Mediation Association
• Part-time Faculty, Seattle University School of Law and Director of the Mediation Clinic
• Board Member, Race and Equity Committee, Dispute Resolution Center of King County
• Washington State Bar Association ADR Executive Committee
• Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference, former EEO Subcommittee Co-chair

SELECTED CLIENTS