Joan is committed to working with clients to create dynamic, healthy relationships for families and organizations. Joan’s work is multi-disciplinary. She is trained as a social worker, mediator and arbitrator with more than 35 years of experience. Joan is able to apply her skills and knowledge from these professions to build agreements that are unique and meet the needs of all clients. She believes that the parties self-determination and the creativity of people working together is the basis of conflict resolution. Her approach is respectful, facilitative and flexible to the parties needs while working collaboratively toward mutually beneficial solutions.

Joan’s experience with the not-for-profit sector, union and labour sector, and with children, youth and families gives her a multi-faceted perspective and knowledge.

Formally educated in Child Care Work (diploma), Social Work, (Bachelor and Masters degrees) Law, Women’s Studies (Bachelor’s level) and Conflict Resolution (certificate) (mediation, negotiation, parent coordination and arbitration).

• Mediator 20 years; Arbitrator 12 years; Parent Coordinator 8 years
• Conflict Resolution Certificate ICAM (308 hours)
• JIBC Mediated Agreements/Court Orders; Substance Use Issues; Multi-Cultural Issues
• CLEBC Parent Coord; Interviewing Children
• Mediate BC Mediating Insurance/Personal Injury; Ethics/Standards for DR professionals
• ADRIC Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
• ADRBC Cyber Security Risk; Workplace Bullying; Arbitration Civil, Family, Strata

• Family Mediation Canada Elder Mediation Committee member
• Appointed Member of the B.C. Property Assessment Review Panel (6 yrs.)
• Appointed Member of the Employment & Assistance Appeal Tribunal (6 yrs.- 2008 – 2014 – maximum appointment & reappointed 2018)
• Ministry of Attorney General – Mediate B.C. Member – Civil & Family Mediation Rosters
• BC Hear the Child Society Member
• BC Parent Coordination Roster Society Member
• Ministry of Education Student Appeals Board Mediator and Adjudicator Rosters
• Association of Family & Conciliation Courts Member
• South Island Dispute Resolution Centre Member & Contractor
• ADRBC Roster, Member, Board & Committee Member, Chartered Mediator, Chartered Arbitrator & ICBC Arbitration Roster Member
• Chair – ADR Canada Designations Marketing Sub-Committee
• B.C. Association of Social Workers
• B.C. Non Profit Housing Association – Certified Instructor
• Family Mediation Canada

Professional Qualifications

• Chartered Arbitrator (ADR Institute of Canada)
• Chartered Mediator (ADR Institute of Canada)
• Registered Social Worker (BC College of Social Workers)

• University of Victoria, Certificate in Adult & Continuing Education Program
• Justice Institute of BC, Section 211 Report Writing Course
• BC Arbitration & Mediation Institute, Arbitration Training Certificates, Strata; Arbitration & Family
• University of Victoria, Multi-Disciplinary Masters-Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree
• Nanaimo Small Claims Court, Small Claims Court Mediation Practicum
• Institute of Conflict Analysis, Conflict Resolution Certificate and Management
• University of Victoria, Bachelor of Social Work Degree (With Distinction)
• American Correctional, Legal Issues for Probation & Parole Officers
• Carleton University, Combined Majors – Law and Women’s Studies
• Mohawk College A.A.T., Child Care Worker Diploma (Honours)