We spend too much time working to not be happy at work!  

I started Chantilly Mediation and Facilitation because I thrive working with small groups to improve how they communicate - the simplest of interpersonal interactions.

We all deserve to be happy at work.

So many disputes start because of misunderstandings. And those that don’t start off that way often get worse because the parties find it difficult to really hear each other. As a mediator, I serve as the outsider who can facilitate creative conversations people get to tell their own stories, hear each other’s perspectives, and pivot to focusing on how the future should be. At Chantilly Mediation and Facilitation, mediation is both one of our services, and the basis for everything we do. The essential skills in my toolbox are emotional intelligence, empathy, active listening, and the gift of being able to ask questions and reframe issues with a focus on the future.

So often, we are hired not for discrete conflicts but to run meetings - meetings with:

• External stakeholders across multiple disciplines and industries

• A Board of Directors for their annual meeting

• Internal teams needing to create strategic or actionable plans or processes

Our approach to these meetings is the same as when mediating conflicts: Creating a safe space for people to fully engage and be open about their needs and concerns.

In my view, safe spaces are all about improving communications, a theme of my career. From undergraduate classes and a graduate teaching assistantship in Women’s Studies, to working in equal employment opportunity for the U.S. Army, to organizing and lobbying to improve health care funding and access, to helping small businesses create strategic plans and improve their online presence.

At the center of all of this has always been - and will always be - empathy & active listening.

If you’re interested in connecting with me, you can email or reach out via LinkedIn.

You can also read more about why I do what I do on the blog.