Connection and Understanding. Member Spotlight: Loretta Raider

Loretta Raider was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She attended both undergraduate and graduate school in the city, earning her degrees from Temple University. Her master’s degree is in organization development –– the studies of how organizations and systems work, as well as group dynamics. It was a transformative program that deeply influenced her long-lasting career in consulting and peace building. “When I began my career, I knew nothing about the field of organization development, but I quickly found myself fascinated by that very first course in group dynamics – not only loving the study of how people interact and communicate with one another, but also loving the actual group in which I was learning!” Group work (both large and small) has remained one of Loretta’s favorite methods of mediation consultation. The opportunity to facilitate group dialogue and conversation has always been a source of pride and excitement for her.

Early Work in Mediation

Driven by her passion for international work, Loretta established the Raider Consulting Group in 1997 as her own global practice focusing on organizational development and peacebuilding. For over 45 years Loretta has provided invaluable expertise in both the public and private sectors through her principal role with Raider Consulting Group, and hopes to continue contributing to building a more peaceful world for as long as she can.

Loretta’s early career in mediation included work within organizations, such as teaching courses in conflict resolution at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1998, Loretta began working at the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution at Teachers College, Columbia University as an adjunct professor. Her time at Columbia included teaching collaborative negotiation and mediation courses, which sparked her interest in working cross-culturally and internationally. Teaching others has remained a cornerstone of Loretta’s professional career.

Much of Loretta’s pedagogical work outside of negotiation and mediation has focused on leadership development. She has created programs for leaders, provided executive coaching, supported team development, and helped teams function in high-performance environments.

International Work and Involvement in MBBI

After her time at Columbia, she began teaching collaborative negotiation and mediation for the United Nations, allowing her to expand her mission to over thirty countries worldwide. My role in mediation, and of course with MBBI, has revolved around training and teaching others how to resolve and transform conflict, and how to enable others to do the work and be confident peacebuilders.”

Her work with the United Nations strengthened her desire to contribute on the ground in post-conflict countries. Knowing she wanted to apply her skill set meaningfully and collaboratively, Loretta began searching for an organization that fit her interests. After doing some research, Loretta discovered Mediators Beyond Borders (MBBI). Jumping on the opportunity to get involved, Loretta attended the 5th Annual MBBI Congress in Baltimore, Maryland in 2012. Immediately she knew it was a match –– Loretta’s skill set would prove to be an integral part of the Sierra Leone project with MBBI. In March, Loretta was at the Congress, and one month later, she was on the ground in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone and Conflict Transformation

Loretta’s role in Sierra Leone began both with a needs assessment and the facilitation of a visioning workshop, and soon led to leading the team, itself. After 12 years, Loretta remains an active member today.

Following the initial needs assessment in Sierra Leone, Loretta and her team recognized widespread concern among citizens about violence in the upcoming national election. In response, they developed the Building Unity for Peaceful Elections program in Sierra Leone. The program has been implemented in the past three national elections (2013, 2018, and 2023). Through coalition building and conflict transformation, the program successfully influenced peaceful elections and provided stakeholders with conflict transformation skills.

In collaboration with previous project partners, the team created a mission to build sustainable peace through leadership development and conflict transformation. In building a coalition across the country, the Sierra Leone team successfully developed several initiatives including a “Train-the-Trainer Program” for community leaders, a leadership program for women and youth, and year-long programs incorporating coaching and small groups called “leadership learning groups”.

These programs use peer coaching models and provide facilitators to guide participants through their development and the implementation of community projects. The Sierra Leone initiative remains one of MBBI’s longest-running projects, having reached nearly 1,000 people over the past 12 years. The ripple effect of their training has spread across communities and organizations as participants both teach and practice these peacebuilding skills.

 “More than anything, if everyone in the world learned to resolve their own differences and conflicts, this would be a peaceful world.”

Loretta is also part of the Women in Mediation (WIM) group with MBBI, and she has collaborated with the United Nations on various projects. Her consulting efforts with MBBI include conducting several international peace trainings across Southeast Asia, Ireland, and Belarus, where she worked with Russian and Ukrainian women. Additionally, Loretta has facilitated conversations and given presentations at some of the world congresses. MBBI has been an integral part of Loretta’s life for the past twelve years, and she expressed gratitude for being able to work with such talented, dedicated people from all over the world.

Educating Others on the Impact of Mediation

One major challenge Loretta identifies is the narrow perception many people have of mediation and what it truly means. “People think of mediation as two individuals in conflict with a third neutral party helping them resolve their issue. But mediation encompasses so much more –– it includes dialogues, training, and building conversations around critical issues.” Loretta wants to help people understand the breadth of mediation and the power of its impact.

Another challenge Loretta addresses is the historic exclusion of women from the table of major decision making. We need to ensure, Loretta explains, that women are included as mediators in the world’s most significant conflicts. Training female mediators and empowering them to build their skills remains a crucial part of her work. “Women peacebuilders are excellent at what they do –– it’s statistically proven, but we need to do more to ensure they have a seat at the table.”

Making Future Peace Ambassadors

Loretta’s passion lies in seeing people interact, learn from one another, and develop their skills. One of her proudest moments was during the Building Unity for Peaceful Elections workshops, which brings together diverse stakeholders like tribal chiefs, police, political leaders/political aspirants, community members, and most importantly, women. Considering the differences among these groups, putting them into conversation with each other comes with obstacles, but the resulting dialogue is always transformative. In sharing stories, they begin to build common ground. The facilitators teach conflict transformation skills of listening and learning how to share and accept diverse perspectives. When the training is finished, the participants walk away as genuine peace ambassadors.

 “When we tell them, ‘You’re peace ambassadors now, and you have the power to go forward and spread the word of peace,’ I’m telling you … the feeling of looking around the room and seeing their faces … it’s truly something else. You can see how they embody a new sense of pride when they realize their importance and the potential of their future impact.”

Loretta expresses profound gratitude for her involvement with MBBI, and reinforces how privileged she feels for being able to work with others in this way. She aims to continue peacebuilding work wherever needed, teach dialogue to peacebuilders, and coach others who are already engaged in this vital work.

Key Lessons Learned

When asked what a key lesson in meditation is, Loretta responded, “Anyone can change, if they want to change. Anyone can learn these skills, if they’re open to it.” Loretta is an optimist, believing the world can improve if people learn to relate to one another and resolve their differences. 

“It’s a call to action –– we all have to keep working at it and do everything we can to make that happen. Share your skills with one person –– and that’s one more person who can listen better and be able to talk to others in a way they can be heard. The first part is being willing to engage and to have the conversation.”

The Importance of Selflessness

Loretta emphasized the importance of selflessness and learning from others when first experiencing the field of mediation. “It’s an exciting field that demands you bring your whole self to it. If you come into this field, you have to truly be willing to give of yourself, and learn to let go of ego. It’s not about you, it’s not about being in control, it’s about facilitating the growth of others.” She also emphasizes the importance of gaining diverse experiences early in one’s career, learning and absorbing from others whenever possible. Whether through internships, volunteering, or shadowing professionals, observing a variety of approaches can help develop a unique style and understanding of where one’s strengths are most useful.Loretta encourages involvement with MBBI, emphasizing the community’s supportive and collaborative nature.

“It’s such a joy to work with amazing, talented, and dedicated people from around the world. I’m so grateful to be part of this work and the MBBI peace-building community.”

Article by Sarah Stenovec, MBBI Writer