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Lydia Ray is a peacebuilder, artist and musician from Annandale, Virginia. With over seven years of mediation experience, Lydia has a flourishing career in conflict resolution. Having studied Global Affairs with a minor in Conflict Analysis at George Mason University – Schar School of Policy and Government, Lydia joined MBBI with an ambition to forge…

“We invent a situation, the story. It is almost never as bad as we invented if we actually sit down and talk with someone. I think so much of that has to do with the fact that people want to be seen, want to belong, and be respected, so often in a transactional world, they…

Jacinta Gallant is a highly experienced collaborative lawyer, mediator and conflict trainer from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Having trained as a family lawyer, Jacinta tells me that, while she enjoyed the courtroom experience, “donning a gown and going off to do a performance”, she was uncomfortable with how the courtroom experience affected her clients. As…

Western judiciary systems too often tend to resort to litigation as the first (and sometimes sole) means of resolving controversies occurring within their societies. Results and processes, however, are not always efficient and empathetic of the human beings involved. Mediation, on the other hand, is built upon active listening, understanding, empowerment and the “magic of…

“The power of more is obviously bigger than the power of one, but someone has got to start. Sooner or later others will notice and agree with what we do, spread the word, and get more people to engage in effective communication – not just in professional careers but in day-to-day life. We all need…

Mary Keogh is an experienced advocacy director from Dublin, Ireland. After studying Economics at University, Mary then moved on to a Masters in International Development. From there, she says, “that was it!” Since graduating in 2005, Mary has worked in the advocacy sector in a variety of roles. For Mary, her career is endlessly surprising,…

Crista Renner is an experienced mediator, systemic conflict and culture specialist, and workplace restoration practitioner based in Guelph, Ontario. She describes her introduction to MBBI through Rotary as “an eye opener,” because “I didn’t know this path existed.” Explaining that her interest has always been in international work, working with MBBI has allowed her to…

Olga Liapis-Muzzy is an experienced mediator and facilitator based in Washington DC. Although she considers herself to be a newer member of MBBI, she has “always loved” member organizations. This love stems, she says, from her background in union organizing as part of the Labor movement.   Background Her career began, first as an organizer, before…

Born and raised overseas in a diplomatic family, it somehow seems only natural that Britt’s background would be steeped in peacebuilding. Prior to her flourishing career in mediation, Britt worked extensively as a liaison between water industry stakeholders, with a focus on creating forums for discussion and identifying technical developments. Reflecting on her career, Britt…

Odeta is a family mediator based in Vilnius, Lithuania, with more than 20 years experience of working with family issues. For more than 14 years she was a director of the State Child Protection and Adoption Service, under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor. While working for this institution, she found out about family…