2023 Speakers
The speakers for the 2024 ADRBC Symposium are currently being finalized. Please check back regularly for new additions!
Keynote Speakers
The Honourable Robert Bauman
Having devoted his career to ensuring that justice is delivered in a fair and accessible manner, Chief Justice Bauman also currently chairs Access to Justice B.C., a collaboration of individuals and organizations committed to improving access to justice in British Columbia.
The Honourable Wally Oppal
Wally is an experienced counsel and strategic advisor. His practice focuses on alternative and traditional dispute resolution as well as Aboriginal law.
Panel Speakers
Ashif Somani
CAB BC is just one of many regional and national country specific Boards that fall under the global umbrella of ICAB or The Aga Khan International Conciliation and Arbitration Board.
Brian Barth
I am a conflict resolution generalist and trainer, working in large institutions for 19 years. ADRBC has been a big part of my professional development.
Cathy Knapp
Cathy has a background stemming from almost 30 years in the aviation industry with over 15 of these years spent in Human Resources where she was the sole Canadian HR professional working for the world’s largest airline.
Colm Brannigan
Colm Brannigan has been a full-time ADR practitioner for over 20 years. He holds an LL.M. in ADR, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a Chartered Mediator and Chartered Arbitrator through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC).
Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow
Deputy Chief Chow is invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada in 2018, and was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2021.
Dr. Sarah Morales — Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria
Dr. Sarah Morales is an Associate Professor at the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law, where she teaches torts, transsystemic torts, Coast Salish law and languages, legal research and writing and field schools.
Elaine McCormack C. Arb, Q.Med, J.D., B.A.
Elaine McCormack practices strata law, mediation and arbitration with Wilson McCormack Law Group, located in New Westminster.
Fisnik Kumnova, Q.Med, Q. Arb
An ADRBC member in good standing since 2018, Fisnik brings a combined body of experience and education in multiple ADR Disciplines, alongside over five years’ direct experience as ADRBC’s Manager of Stakeholder Relations.
Gabriel Somjen
A listed arbitrator for both the Collective Agreement Arbitration Bureau for British Columbia and The British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre, as well as a mediator with Mediate BC, Gabriel often presides as chair in labour arbitrations and mediations.
Gary Hagel
Gary Hagel is a lawyer and mediator. Gary’s practice now focuses on mediation, Wills & Estates, and Employment Law, but his legal experience is broad and varied.
Geordie Walker
I am a professional Educator with 18 years of leadership experience as a school administrator changing school cultures. I have been recognized for my work in transformational change in school culture, locally, regionally, and nationally, receiving the award for Canada’s Most Outstanding Principal in 2017.
Gurtej Sandhu, B.E., LLB
Gurtej Sandhu is an internationally trained lawyer from Chandigarh, India, with experience in various practice areas, including consumer protection, real estate, banking, and corporate insolvency.
Heather Hettiarachchi
Heather is a lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of labour and employment law. She has a unique combination of legal expertise and extensive hands-on human resources management and labour relations experience.
Jake Lowther
Jake Lowther is a dual-qualified lawyer (Australia & Sweden) working as Legal Counsel at the SCC Arbitration Institute. He is an experienced international arbitration practitioner, having worked in various roles in Australia, Germany, Korea, and Sweden.
Jane Morley
Jane, as the former Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia, grappled with the challenge of creating an organization within government that was a catalyst for transformative change for children and youth in BC.
Jessie August, MA
Jessie has a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Road University and over 20 years of experience working in Indigenous communities and organizations in a variety of roles including senior management and C-suite roles.
Joan Cotie
Joan Cotie has worked with families, youth and children in many capacities since 1976.
John de Haas
John has a particular interest in social conflict resolution. He holds a BA (Psychology major) from UBC and an MA in Conflict Analysis & Management from Royal Roads. As well he completed a Business Management Certificate at BCIT and an Associate Certificate in Mediation.
John Radford
John Radford is a conflict consultant, a conflict coach and co-owner of Vancouver-based Transpectives Consulting. He has been an associate faculty member in Royal Roads’ Conflict Analysis and Management program since 1998.
Kathleen Soltis
Kathleen has thirty-four years of municipal government senior leadership experience, including Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources.
Laraine Ashpole
I have a diverse background that includes 20 years working in public service and non-profit organizations on Vancouver Island.
Lee Turnbull
Lee is a member of the Civil Roster of Mediate BC. She maintains a diverse dispute resolution consulting practice throughout the Sunshine Coast, Squamish, Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland with a variety of clients.
Mark Clark
Mark Clark is Deputy Registrar of LRB, employed with the Board since early 1970s. Director of Collective Agreement Arbitration Bureau (CAAB) and Chair of CAAB Joint Advisory Committee since 2002/3. Mark holds a BA and MA in Political Science from UBC.
Martina Boyd
As Regional Director for CUPE in British Columbia, Martina Boyd manages the day-to-day operations of the national union in BC, including oversight for all negotiations, litigation, labour relations, and human resources.
Michael F. Welsh
Michael Welsh was called to the British Columbia bar in 1981 and practises as a mediator and arbitrator in family, estate, employment and workplace, commercial and civil law matters, as well as community-based mediation.
Michael Lomax
Michael is a lawyer by profession and a highly experienced mediator/conflict resolution trainer who has assists many individuals, corporations and government agencies in understanding how to manage high conflict personalities.
Paul Strangway
Paul has a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC and has been working in Labour Relations and Human Resources since completing his degree.
Peter Masson
Peter Masson is a 4th year Human Geography Co-op student at the University of British Columbia and a member of the 2024 ADRBC Symposium Organizational Team.
Prof. Praveen Sandhu, C. Arb, Q. Med
An ADRBC member in good standing since December of 2020, Praveen is a successful and well-respectedlawyer, mediator, arbitrator and educator who has always been very generous with her time, insupport of many ADRBC initiatives.
Roy Johnson
Roy is co-author of the top-selling “Turning Conflict into Profit” and a founder and Principal of The Neutral Zone Coaching and Consulting Services Inc.
Sharon Kelly
Sharon has been active as a mediator since 1996. Her qualifications include a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Justice Institute, Bachelors degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts Degree (MA) in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University.
Shelina Ramji Sayani
I have been practicing exclusively in the area of family law for over 25 years. My focus is on helping families find the best way forward in a manner that is respectful, child focused and forward looking. I find the necessary supports and customize solutions for every family’s unique needs.
Shelley Larson
Shelley Larson is a communication professor, mediator, trainer, and conflict coach. She is part of a mediation team that was recognized by the Michigan Supreme Court for swiftly and successfully transitioning to mediation in the online format.
Sheriden Barnett B.A. (Indig. Stud.), LLM (ADR)
An ADRIO/ADRBC member since 2015, Sheriden is the Founder and Principal of The Boreal Centre for Dispute Resolution.
Siara Sabazaai
Dr. Saira Sabzaali has a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and is the Clinical Director of Dragonfly Wellness Centre, an online and in-person community that supports people to bring their cultural values and spiritual beliefs into therapy.
Stacey R. Rose – Executive Director
Stacey is a seasoned dispute resolution professional, having spent her entire career working with parties in the realms of commercial insurance, Strata property, and general civil litigation.
Teresa Harlow
Teresa Harlow is an author, professional speaker, co-parenting coach, and mediator. She has spent over thirty years working in top American companies helping teams and individuals transform conflict into collaboration and collaboration into results.
Tyann Blewett
With 30 years in the BC Public Service, Tyann Blewett has worked in a variety of roles in the social and justice sectors with a focus on research, policy development, legislation and stakeholder relations.