Esther van Gennip, C.Med
Chartered Mediator
Esther van Gennip is a Chartered Mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada since 2008, a Senior Trainer and
Honoured Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution CICR-ICRC, since 1997. Esther is a capable and
talented professional mediator with extensive knowledge of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes
including conflict management, coaching, workplace mediation, multiparty negotiations and labour relations,
training and hosting community conversations. She has 17 years of experience facilitating skills based, experiential
training to build capacity for conflict prevention skills and processes in the workplace and community. Esther
provides high quality facilitation services and technical support for the development and delivery of conflict
prevention and resolution in the workplace. She is an experienced ADR practitioner facilitating skills based training
programs, curriculum development and mediation services for government agencies, non-profit organizations,
crown corporations, private sector industry and in First Nation communities.
Duties and Responsibilities - Summary of key functions:
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Provides high-quality, skills based, experiential training to address underlying issues, interpersonal and
deep-rooted conflicts in workplace teams and communities
Assists with the development of knowledge products, process design and delivery of customized
community based training
Supports strategic planning and implementation of program initiatives
Facilitates capacity building for conflict prevention skills and ADR processes
Engaging speaker, facilitator and trainer able to create a supportive learning environment for adult and
young learners by delivering practical, cost effective and useful ADR tools and processes
Provides high-quality, skills based training to build conflict prevention capacity in the workplace and community,
focusing on the use of adult learning model, appreciative inquiry, community dialogue and ADR processes.
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Seventeen (17) years of experience facilitating Third Party Neutral Training and applying the
principles, procedural steps and practices of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to address complex
multiparty conflicts in diverse workplaces
Skilled and engaging speaker, facilitator and trainer able to create a supportive learning environment
by delivering practical and effective ADR tools and processes
Developed skills-based, principle driven training for Community Justice facilitators focusing on
conflict prevention initiatives and restorative justice programs consistent with Anishnawbek
traditional teachings. Applied a collaborative, advisory approach to design, develop and implement
a community-based diversion program for First Nations communities
Expertise facilitating experiential, skills-based training programs in diverse workplaces
Comprehensive experience delivering training programs for First Nations organizations and
communities, as well as direct experience providing training and intervention services for Rwandan,
Somali and Taiwanese communities
Esther van Gennip, C.Med
Assists with the development of knowledge products, process design and delivery of customized community based
training.
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Senior trainer, Honoured Fellow and TPN program developer for CICR-ICRC since 1997.
Co-designed, developed and delivered Third Party Neutral Training at the Canadian Institute for
Conflict Resolution, CICR since 1997. Collaborated program development and delivery of Seminar One
– addressing deep-rooted conflict and Intentional Mediation training for CICR-ICRC.
 Bimaadiziwin curriculum development and delivery for Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Center,
Northwestern Ontario (2006-2013) Co-facilitated training with Elders from Treaty 3. The workshop is
designed to increase awareness and understanding of aboriginal history, culture and traditions. The
goal was to give employees opportunities to build conflict resolving skills and learn new ways to work
together in a diverse workplace and enhance cultural competence in Health Center.
 Senior trainer for TPN4 Principles, Practice and Reflection in Partnership with Chang Jung University,
Tainan Taiwan
 Co-developed a community-based conflict resolution program for ReSolve project initiated by Sioux
Lookout Anti-Racism Committee SLARC
 Understanding Lateral Violence and Deep Rooted Conflict in First Nations communities. An exploration
of human identity needs to open pathways of reconciliation and healing
 Workshop topics include: community-based conflict resolution, Aboriginal community development
principles, federal relations and legislation, interest based negotiation, difficult conversations,
community engagement, capacity building and cultural competency in the workplace
Supports strategic planning and implementation of program initiatives:
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Active Committee Member with Aboriginal Opportunities Committee at the Chamber of Commerce in
Thunder Bay with a goal to foster dialogue that creates business activity between Aboriginal parties
and the business sector. This is achieved by building strategic partnerships and collaborative
engagement of First Nations community members and emerging leaders
Recent experience working collaboratively with First Nations organizations to facilitate the
implementation of strategic priorities and Resolutions passed at Chiefs Assembly
Engaging Communities – Economic development and capacity building in the resource sector of mining
and forestry industry
Facilitated training for: Community Integration Network of the Catholic Immigration Centre, nonprofit, charitable organizations and diverse, multicultural groups
Facilitates capacity building for conflict prevention skills and ADR processes
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Dynamic senior trainer, mediator and facilitator with demonstrated success in resolving complex, high
stakes, multi-stakeholder disputes
Facilitates capacity building and community based training initiatives by encouraging and engaging
First Nations community members to strengthen and build their own capacities to address workplace
conflict and interpersonal disputes
Host community conversations and collaborative action to address systemic conflict by understanding
diverse interests and utilizing problem solving processes to explore viable alternatives for mutually
beneficial solutions
Esther van Gennip, C.Med
Mediation and ADR services
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Contractor on the Federal Government Standing Offers list hired to mediate conflicts in the workplace,
conduct multiparty, intercultural negotiations that explore common interests and assist parties to
towards mutually beneficial solutions.
Enhanced Security Clearance with Provincial Government
Secret Clearance with Federal Government
Summary Functional Competencies:
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Dynamic mediation and facilitation skills and abilities with demonstrated success in resolving
complex, high stakes, multi-stakeholder disputes
Demonstrated ability and success to instill and maintain a positive, constructive relationship with
clients by modeling and encouraging courtesy and respect, effective listening and reframing issues.
Accomplished intuitive interviewer with empathic listening skills and the ability to use genuine
curiosity to ask succinct and sometimes difficult questions to surface underlying interests and identify
problem solving solutions
Ability to recognize the nature of the dispute and establish clear understanding of the mediation
process to support mutually agreed solutions
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage power imbalance and complex emotions during
mediations and multiparty interventions
Promotes organizational learning and knowledge sharing by developing tools and approaches for
managers, supervisors and employees to use to prevent conflict in the workplace
Ability to build strategic partnerships to facilitate conflict resolution training in diverse workplaces by
providing tools and resources to address deep-rooted, identity based conflicts and raise awareness
of human rights and cultural competence in the workplace
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of spectrum of ADR processes from
conflict coaching, mediation, multiparty negotiations, facilitated dialogue processes and community
engagement
Understands the importance of working collaboratively by using community development principles
and best practices to co-design resource materials to build capacity within organizations and
communities
Conference Presentations and Media Guest
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Engaging Diversity, National Security Public Safety Canada Halifax 2013
Community Based Conflict Resolution, Community Integration Network, Catholic Immigration
Services, Toronto 2012
‘Cultural competency in the workplace.’ North West Local Health Integration Network, Sioux
Lookout 2009
‘Exploring identity needs and cultural diversity in the workplace.’ ADR Institute of Canada,
Gatineau 2009
‘Building Cross-cultural competency through training.’ Health Human Resources, Ottawa 2007
Esther van Gennip, C.Med
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‘Cultural sensitivity training for caregivers – Bimaadiziwin.; Aboriginal Health Care Conference,
Thunder Bay – September 2007
“Responding to Conflict: the road to reconciliation and understanding. Community Living
Ontario, September 2006
“FIT – Families in Transition. Mediating co-parenting agreements.” Family Mediation Ottawa,
February 2006
“Breaking Down the Barriers”. Aboriginal Women’s Conference, Creating Sacred Space, New
Brunswick, March 2003
“The Disabled as Crime Victims: are they doubly victimized?”. National Organization for Victims’
Assistance, Journey to New Frontiers. Edmonton, August 2001
“Community-Based Conflict Resolution and the Wheel”. National Conference on Peacemaking
and Conflict Resolution, Weaving a New Beginning: Liberation, Healing, Community. Phoenix
Arizona, May – June 1999
“Strengthening Local Capacities for Peace”. Hague Appeal for Peace, Netherlands, May 1999
“Community-Based Conflict Resolution in the International Context”. Interaction 98. Dispute
Resolution: Building the Road to Peace.May 1998
Media Guest ~ CHIN 97.9 FM Recordings available on request
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Planting Seeds of Hope to Harvest Fields of Peace, October 12-13, 2009
Addressing deep-rooted conflict with Shirley Pare, August 30, 2007
Intergenerational dialogue: Cross cultural understanding and conflict resolution for all
generations with Anna Chiappa and Dave Farthing, August 16, 2007
ADR behind (prison) bars with Moe Royer and Gary Nelson, July 19, 2007
REsolve (part 2) with participants from the REsolve training program, March 22, 2007
REsolve in Sioux Lookout with Don DeGenova, August 10, 2006
Family Law Day with Mike Cobourne, Richard Patten, Pam Forward, Colin Currie, February 6,
2006
Publications and Articles
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Contributed article in “Is Everyone at the Table? 18 Life Lessons in Problem Solving’. By Ernest
Tannis, 2010
Creative Partnerships, Collaborative Action, Correctional Service Canada 2008
Community Members Put their Heads Together for a Better Tomorrow for Everyone. Sioux
Bulletin, November 2006
The Community Really Cares about Cultural Diversity. Sioux Bulletin, November 2006
National institute Backs Sioux conflict resolution project. Wawatay News 2005
A big part is having the community behind you. Resolving to make a difference in Sioux Lookout.
Sioux Bulletin, 2005
Workshop Focuses on Building Mediation Skills. Sioux Bulletin 2006.
Esther van Gennip, C.Med
Professional Associations
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ADR Institute of Canada www.adrcanada.ca
ADR Institute of Ontario, Inc. www.adrontario.ca
Ontario Association for Family Mediation www.oafm.on.ca
Honoured Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution www.cicr-icrc.ca
Canadian Human Rights Commission, National Aboriginal Initiative
Chamber of Commerce Thunder Bay, Aboriginal Opportunities Initiatives
ACCREDITATION /TRAINING/ EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
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Canadian Human Rights Commission. Mediators in an Aboriginal Context.
2012
Moving to Action through Life Affirming Leadership, Berkana Institute
2010
The Art of Hosting and Convening Conversations that Matter. From Strategic Conversation to
Wise Action to Sustainable Change. Berkana Institute
2009
The Power of an Apology to Resolve Disputes: Ontario’s New Apology Act, Center for Conflict
Education and Research (CCER)
2009
ADR Institute of Canada, Chartered Mediator Designation
2008
Art of Convening and Capturing Agreement, (CCER)
2008
Advanced Negotiation, Center for Conflict Resolution International (CCR Int.)
2000
Interest-Based Negotiation, CCR Int.
2000
Conflict Management, Working with Personality Differences, Effective Problem Solving 2000
ADR Overview, Center for Conflict Resolution International
2000
Best Kept Management Secrets, Migration to Optimal Business Ltd.
1999
Mastering Change, Kells & Associates
1998
Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution Residency Program
1997
Seminar Series Certificate in Addressing Deep-Rooted Conflict, CICR
1996
Honoured Fellow, Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution
1997
Bachelor of Arts Honours (Canadian Studies: Telecommunications and First Nations)
1996
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology) Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
1993
Esther van Gennip, C.Med