MWI Since 1994, MWI has equipped people and organizations to turn conflict into collaboration and challenges into opportunities. Learn more at www.mwi.org

MWI is an internationally recognized dispute resolution firm specializing in organizational ombuds services, mediation services, mediation and negotiation training, and consulting. We provide organizational ombuds services, mediation services, mediation and negotiation training, and consulting for corporations, universities, healthcare systems, and government agencies to build trust, strengthen co

mmunication, and create healthier workplaces. We strive to support courageous communication, honor different experiences and perspectives, be professional and responsive, and exceed expectations.

05/29/2026

Happy Friday from MWI.

Community events have a way of bringing people together across generations, professions, and perspectives.

Last weekend, MWI Director of Communications & Development Elizabeth Hill participated in the BolderBoulder, an annual Boulder, Colorado tradition that supports local nonprofits, sports teams, and booster clubs while also creating space for community connection and remembrance over Memorial Day weekend.

Another example comes from MWI’s Director of Ombuds and Mediation Services, Josh Hoch, who serves as Development Committee Chair for the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Josh has been involved with the organization since 2020 and has served on its board for the past four years. As part of their upcoming South Shore Striper Tournament, he’ll be managing the live leaderboard, collecting photos and catch submissions from anglers, and helping share the event experience online in real time. The tournament supports NSRWA’s work to restore fisheries and protect local watersheds while bringing together people who care deeply about conservation and the outdoors.

At MWI, we spend a lot of time helping people navigate difficult situations, improve communication, and strengthen professional relationships. Experiences that bring people together outside of work matter too. They remind us how connection, shared experiences, and community involvement help build trust and understanding.

Whether it’s a road race, a fishing tournament, a youth sports league, or another local tradition, these experiences strengthen communities in ways that extend far beyond the event itself.

We’d love to hear about the events, volunteer efforts, or traditions that help you stay connected to your community.

05/27/2026

Real influence rarely starts with persuasion.

It starts with curiosity, listening, and understanding how the other person experiences the situation.

When people feel heard, they are more likely to listen.

For many people, pets are family. Which means disputes involving companion animals can carry deep emotion, identity, gri...
05/26/2026

For many people, pets are family. Which means disputes involving companion animals can carry deep emotion, identity, grief, and attachment.

Join us for MWI’s next Mediator Roundtable: Mediation with Pets�📅 June 16, 2026�🕧 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET

Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton will explore how mediators can navigate emotionally charged pet-related disputes while helping parties stay productive, thoughtful, and future-focused.

Topics include:�• Managing emotionally complex pet-related disputes�• Understanding the human-animal bond in mediation�• Guiding parties toward practical agreements

Whether you mediate family, neighborhood, housing, or civil disputes, this session offers insights into one of the most emotionally nuanced areas of conflict resolution.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gb4ReEMG

As many folks in the U.S. head into a three-day weekend, here is a lighthearted question for the group: What is a sign t...
05/22/2026

As many folks in the U.S. head into a three-day weekend, here is a lighthearted question for the group: What is a sign that you have officially shifted into “weekend mode”?

Several possibilities:
✨Out of office goes on
✨Coffee gets replaced with something colder
✨You stop checking email
✨Playlist changes
✨Grill gets fired up
✨Airport mode activated

At MWI, we spend a lot of time helping people navigate difficult conversations and high-pressure situations, so we also appreciate the importance of rest, connection, and resetting.

Happy Friday from all of us at MWI!

05/20/2026

Good ideas rarely arrive fully formed.
Generating options is only the beginning.
Strong negotiators refine ideas together, shaping rough possibilities into workable agreements.
The best outcomes often emerge through small adjustments and shared problem-solving.

Is all ADR now ODR?Chuck Doran will be part of that conversation at the 2026 ODR Forum. He’ll join a panel exploring how...
05/19/2026

Is all ADR now ODR?

Chuck Doran will be part of that conversation at the 2026 ODR Forum. He’ll join a panel exploring how dispute resolution is evolving and what that means for practitioners and organizations alike. It’s a question we’re seeing more often in our work, as digital tools and changing expectations reshape how conflict shows up and how it’s addressed.

If this is on your radar, this is a great opportunity to learn and connect with others thinking about the future of the field.

About the event
ODR Forum 2026 brings folks together to connect, share ideas, and explore the future of online dispute resolution through talks, workshops, and networking.

About Chuck
Chuck Doran is an experienced organizational ombuds, mediator, and trainer who has worked across corporate, academic, and public sectors for decades. He has served as an outsourced ombuds since 1997 and received the International Ombuds Association President’s Award in 2024.

Where: David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University Boston, MA
When: Thursday, June 11, 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
🎟️ Get Tickets Here: https://ow.ly/269l50Z1NPp

At MWI, our mission is not just about resolving conflict. It is about helping people navigate difficult moments with mor...
05/18/2026

At MWI, our mission is not just about resolving conflict. It is about helping people navigate difficult moments with more clarity, dignity, and intention.

Often, by the time conflict becomes visible, people have already been carrying concerns for weeks or months. Sometimes, what changes the trajectory is not a formal process. It is having space to think, prepare for a conversation, or feel heard before things escalate.

That work matters.

05/13/2026

Tense moments happen. How you show up matters.

Try AIR:
Align on a shared goal
Inquire with curiosity
Regulate your response

It keeps conversations grounded and productive.

What helps you stay grounded during difficult conversations?
supports organizations through ombuds services, mediation, and conflict resolution training.



MWI Executive Director Chuck Doran will be joining the June NYC-DR Roundtable Breakfast hosted by John Jay College (CUNY...
05/12/2026

MWI Executive Director Chuck Doran will be joining the June NYC-DR Roundtable Breakfast hosted by John Jay College (CUNY) and co-sponsored by the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York and the CUNY Dispute Resolution Center.

Chuck will present: “The Organizational Ombuds – Guidance for the Ombuds Curious (and Mediators)”
The session will explore how organizational ombuds and mediators draw on many of the same skills while serving distinct and complementary roles within organizations. The conversation is designed for mediators, conflict resolution professionals, and others interested in the growing role of organizational ombuds.

Started by Maria Volpe in the aftermath of 9/11, the NYC-DR Roundtable Breakfast has created space for dialogue, learning, and connection within the dispute resolution community for more than two decades. The audience is consistently thoughtful, engaged, and deeply connected to the evolving practice of conflict resolution.

Save the date!
June 4, 2026
Virtual networking begins at 8:00 am ET
Program: 8:30–10:00 am ET

This is a free virtual event.

Address

40 Court Street 5th Floor
Boston, MA
02108

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(617) 973-9739

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