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Speaker: Susan Guthrie
The best mediators are lifelong learners, innovative thinkers, and generous sharers of
knowledge. Throughout her career, Susan Guthrie has had the privilege of learning from
some of the greatest leaders in the field—mentors, colleagues, and peers who have
shaped the evolution of mediation. In this keynote, she shares the key lessons and
insights that have helped her grow as a mediator and that can help others elevate their
practice. From continuous improvement to embracing new ideas and honoring those
who paved the way, this session will inspire mediators to refine their craft, expand their
impact, and keep reaching for excellence.
Presenter: Tania Leichliter
This session explores the power of mindset in mediation, showing mediators how to guide clients in using self-coaching techniques to manage emotions, focus on goals, and approach negotiation from a place of strength and calm. By helping clients build emotional resilience and a solution-focused mindset, mediators can facilitate a more productive, client-centered negotiation process.
Presenter: Bill Eddy
This session will address 10 key paradigm shifts necessary for managing potentially high conflict individuals. The focus shifts to teaching clients four simple problem-solving skills to use during the mediation process. The structure and tasks of this approach, called New Ways for Mediation®, will be described, which can be applied as a complete method or parts of it can be applied to any mediation. The presentation will be based on Bill Eddy’s book Mediating High Conflict Disputes (2021), which draws on his forty years’ experience of divorce and custody mediation. The mediator acts as a guide helping the parties use these four specific problem-solving skills throughout the mediation process to gain a greater sense of ownership of their agenda and their agreements.
Speakers: Kelly Myers and Christina McGee
Co-parenting conflict can derail even the most experienced professional, leaving them stuck managing power struggles instead of focusing on the well-being of kids.
In this engaging and interactive workshop, we’ll explore strategies for guiding co-parents from high conflict to effective collaboration using a child-centered approach.
Learn how to help parents shift away from emotional reactions towards solution-focused thinking, develop a business-like co-parenting mindset, and create parenting agreements that produce better long-term outcomes.
Whether you’re a mediator, attorney, or divorce professional, you’ll not only gain innovative tools to help you stand out in your field, increase client satisfaction, and re-ignite your passion for why you do this work.
Speakers: Elisa Kisselburg, CLS-F, CDFA and Tanya Aure, JD, CDFA
Join Certified Family Law Specialist Attorney Elisa Kisselburg, CLS-F and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Tanya Aure, JD, CDFA for a dynamic session that bridges the legal and financial aspects of family law mediation.
This presentation will equip mediators with essential tools to navigate the complexities of child support discussions and engage the parties in crafting proposals to reach financial agreements that make sense for their particular family.
Gain insights into managing emotional dynamics by grounding the parties in reliable information while leveraging collaborative expertise, and employing practical resources to achieve informed outcomes for your mediation clients. Ideal for mediators seeking to enhance their practice with comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategies.
Speakers: Susan Guthrie
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a practical tool that can revolutionize the
mediation process. This hands-on program goes beyond the basics, providing
actionable AI applications that mediators can integrate immediately. Learn how AI can
enhance case preparation, streamline communication, improve decision-making, and
help provide a curated mediation experience tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Discover innovative ways to elevate client experience and efficiency while staying at the
forefront of mediation technology.
Speaker: Murphy Funkhouser
Mediation isn’t just a service—it’s a business, and business success demands thinking like an entrepreneur. In this engaging talk, brand and marketing expert Murphy Funkhouser of BrandStage Consulting will inspire mediators to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset and use the power of branding science to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Discover how to identify what makes your practice unique, craft emotionally compelling messages, and educate potential clients in ways that position you as the go-to professional in your field. You’ll leave with actionable insights and strategies to transform your mediation practice into a standout brand that attracts the clients you want. Get ready to put on your entrepreneur hat and make your business as remarkable as the solutions you provide.
Presenters: Terri Breer, Claudia Brown Coulter, Bill Eddy, Susan Guthrie, and Christina McGee
This year, instead of a closing plenary speaker, we’re excited to feature an Expert Panel Discussion to wrap up the conference. This engaging session will give you the opportunity to ask your most pressing practice questions and gain insights from leading professionals in the field.
