MEDIATION TODAY

Welcome to today’s interview!

Joining us is Thiloshini Schmidt—an AMDRAS-accredited workplace mediator, legal professional, and the Founder and Principal of NorthStar Workplace Solutions.

With over a decade of experience in employment matters and conflict resolution, Thiloshini has earned a standout reputation for helping individuals and organizations navigate high stakes conversations with empathy, impartiality, and deep cultural intelligence.

Born in Sri Lanka, raised in Switzerland, and settling in Melbourne, her vibrant multicultural upbringing and passion for languages give her a unique, responsive lens on human behaviour.

Holding a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Monash University, she bridges legal expertise with a genuinely people-first philosophy. From her former leadership role at Emverio Workplace Mediations to facilitating complex disputes across government, mining, healthcare, and with First Nations communities, Thiloshini knows how to create safe spaces for genuine dialogue. She believes that conflict, when managed well, isn't just an obstacle to overcome—it is a catalyst for stronger leadership and healthier workplace cultures. Today, we’ll talk about her early life, cultural communication, and transforming tough workplace conversations.

Marta was born in Hungary and isnow living in The Netherlands. With a strong corporate background, Marta is nowdedicated to conflict resolution through her mediation business. In 2025, Martasaid about herself:

“A year ago, I started overin a new country. New language, new system, new everything.
At first, it felt like I’d left behind all the things that made me credible.

Last week, I sat on the judging panel at the International Business MediationCompetition in the gorgeous offices of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek inAmsterdam.

Surrounded by bright, grounded, generous professionals,
I realized something I’d forgotten:
You don’t rebuild by proving yourself. You rebuild by connecting.

It’s the same in mediation and in life:
you listen, stay curious, and meet people where they are.

That’s how trust starts.
That’s how belonging happens.”

Nikola Tomićis a Serbian mediator and negotiation advisor specializing in complex commercial,infrastructure, and cross-border dispute environments, with a focus onescalation management and negotiation breakdown in multi-party contexts.

He worksacross mediation, negotiation support, and dispute systems design, particularlyin infrastructure and energy-related environments across the Balkans and thewider Central and Eastern Europe region.

He is basedin Serbia and works regionally and internationally on complex commercialdispute and negotiation processes.

Welcome to the June 2026 episode of Mediation Today!

In this episode I interview Anna WYNNE, a lawyer and family mediator from Canberra, Australia. Anna is telling us what made her turn to mediation after her family law career, her experiences in mediating difficult family matters, with a particular focus on children and their wellbeing in family dispute situations.

Enjoy!

Next episode coming up soon!

Taniamediates conflict in workplaces all over Western Australia. A few years ago, thebulk of Tania’s professional background was managerial roles in largecommercial law firms in Singapore and Perth, including as a Senior HR Manager. Inearly 2021 she stepped away and started her own mediation business, Taite. Tania’sgrown that business over the last 5 years - by word of mouth - and has mediatedconflicts in more than 60 organisations - with many repeat organisationalclients.

Tania loveshelping people to speak directly with one another about whatever is importantto them. She believes it transforms the way people see themselves, and moreoften than not it transforms their relationships too. In Tania’s own words: fromstuck to unstuck. For organisations, it opens the door to productivity,teamwork, collaboration and peace!

Enjoy my latest interview with Tania. Give us feedback, suggestions or new ideas - all mediation related!

Judy Beranger

Judy M. Beranger is recognized as a worldleader in the field of Elder Mediation. She is an inspiring and knowledgeable elder mediation practitioner, experienced trainer and was the drafter of the Code of Ethics for  ElderMediators internationally. Judy has been involved with every subsequent update and helped write an additional supporting document titled Safeguarding Vulnerable  Adults.

Judy also developed the entire Elder Mediation Certification framework and process for becoming Elder Mediators and did so over a two-year period with input from hundreds of people from a variety of countries along with Family Mediation Canada, other organizations, networks, and Societies. Judy is a Past President of Family Mediation Canada (FMC) and past Chair of the Elder  Mediation International Network(EMIN).

Currently, Judy is the Chair of the EMINSummits.

In this episode, Judy is telling us aboutthe establishment of Elder Mediation as an internationally recognised mediation specialisation, as well as of the most recent activities in this growing and increasingly important field of mediation practice.

Judy Beranger

Judy M. Beranger is recognized as a world leader in the field of Elder Mediation. She is an inspiring and knowledgeable elder mediation practitioner, experienced trainer and was the drafter of the Code of Ethics for  Elder Mediators internationally. Judy has been involved with every subsequent update and helped write an additional supporting document titled Safeguarding Vulnerable  Adults.

Judy also developed the entire Elder Mediation Certification framework and process for becoming Elder Mediators and did so over a two-year period with input from hundreds of people from a variety of countries along with Family Mediation Canada, other organizations,  networks, and Societies. Judy is a Past President of Family Mediation Canada (FMC) and past Chair of the Elder  Mediation International Network (EMIN).

Currently, Judy is the Chair of the EMIN Summits.

In this episode, Judy is telling us about the establishment of Elder Mediation as an internationally recognised mediation specialisation, as well as of the most recent activities in this growing and increasingly important field of mediation practice.

Judy Beranger

Judy M. Beranger is recognized as a world leader in the field of Elder Mediation. She is an inspiring and knowledgeable elder mediation practitioner, experienced trainer and was the drafter of the Code of Ethics for  Elder Mediators internationally. Judy has been involved with every subsequent update and helped write an additional supporting document titled Safeguarding Vulnerable  Adults.

Judy also developed the entire Elder Mediation Certification framework and process for becoming Elder Mediators and did so over a two-year period with input from hundreds of people from a variety of countries along with Family Mediation Canada, other organizations,  networks, and Societies. Judy is a Past President of Family Mediation Canada (FMC) and past Chair of the Elder  Mediation International Network (EMIN).

Currently, Judy is the Chair of the EMIN Summits.

In this episode, Judy is telling us about the establishment of Elder Mediation as an internationally recognised mediation specialisation, as well as of the most recent activities in this growing and increasingly important field of mediation practice.

ROB GOLDSTEIN

Rob Goldstein is the principal of Rob Goldstein Mediation. Rob is both a Nationally Accredited Mediator through IAMA, and an Accredited Specialist Mediator through the Law Institute of Victoria. He has been conducting mediations since 2008.

He is briefed to conduct mediations in commercial matters, including franchising disputes, lease disputes, property disputes, testators family maintenance, consumer law and employment law disputes.

He sits on several panels of mediators including the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Victorian Small Business Commissioner and the Office of the Franchising Mediation Advisor.

Prior to turning his focus to a dedicated mediation practice, Rob was a Partner at Kliger Partners Lawyers in Melbourne.

He can be contacted on the following phone number: 0423 384 823

ROS LOCKLEY

As an experienced mediator and conflict coach, you could say Ros Lockley is comfortable with conflict.

She has dealt with conflicts ranging from families to big corporations and everything in between and has seen that once the communication improves, so does the relationship.

Many mediations that Ros has mediated have resulted in the parties involved in the dispute having not only a clear way forward but a feeling of increased acceptance and renewed relationship.

Sometimes this has led to parties hugging, going out for coffee together, sharing photos of grandchildren… but not always. Almost always, though, there is a heightened appreciation and respect between the parties.

With many people commenting that they wished they had sought help BEFORE needing mediation, Ros set up Communikeys to teach the keys for good communication so people can resolve their own conflict and save their relationship, huge amounts of money and emotional turmoil.

Ros provides coaching and training on effective communication and conflict resolution to keep families together (or be productive as co-parents after separation) using Experiential methods to make learning fun and memorable.

Ros says “I love working with people who are ready to find a way to the other side of conflict. Seeing the renewed sense of optimism and understanding between people who had lost all hope in their situation gives me enormous satisfaction. I am excited to continue creating more harmonious relationships through key communication skills.”