Dr. Debra is a renowned Dispute Resolution Educator and Practitioner, International Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Mediator, Facilitator, Conflict Coach and Author with more than 35 years experience bringing peace to people’s lives. Her work transforms how we navigate difficult conversations and challenging situations. One of her latest books, “Let’s Talk Politics: Navigating Impassioned Disagreements without Damaging Relationships,” was featured by the Colorado Chapter of SHRM at their annual 2024 conference, while “Harmony in Dispute: Unleashing the Power of Female Mediators” earned recognition in the Louisiana ABA Journal in their Fall 2023 publication. She recently released ‘The Unshakeable Leader: Using Neuroscience to Make Sense out of Nonsense,” now available on Amazon. Dr. Debra regularly addresses audiences at local, regional, and national conferences, equipping business leaders, HR professionals, legal advocates, and mediators with tools to resolve complex conflicts. Her practical publications, including “How Smart People Act Dumb in the Face of Conflict” and “Past Pains – Present Problems,” offer accessible strategies for everyday challenges.
Beyond her speaking and writing, Dr. Debra serves as an AAA Employment Mediation Panelist in Southern California, a Facilitator of the Interactive Process for employees with medical conditions, and actively engages in training the next generation of mediators, shaping how to approach complex disputes from different perspectives with a focus on reaching ‘both-gain’ outcomes. As the former Director of Training for the Mediation Training Institute (MTI), she was a leading co-trainer with Dr. Dan Dana Founder) in promoting his conflict resolution programs and philosophies internationally that continue to serve as the foundation of Eckerd College’s Leadership Development Institute and MTI certifications in St. Petersburg, FL.