Mediation Mends
sarah whitt founded mediation mends, a chicago peace practice to help people engage with conflict productively.
Before peacemaking, I spent my time studying art, systems and processes. When I took a basic mediation training course with the New York Peace Institute in 2022, I expected a stop on the scenic route. Instead I met a lightning bolt.
I’ve since trained nonstop with experts across the continent, learning a variety of philosophies, approaches, tools, and techniques. I’ve honed these skills with clients from around the world, facing disputes ranging from broken contracts to seemingly irreparable relationship damage. In addition to my private practice, I regularly offer pro bono mediation through the New York Peace Institute and the Families in Transition Program of the Children’s LAW Center.
I used to consider world peace an unanswered prayer. Now I know we each hold the key.
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Volunteer Work:
CASA of Cook County since 2019
Mediator with New York Peace Institute
Mediator with the Children’s LAW Center - Families in Transition Program
Peacemaking Training
High-Conflict Training with Bill Eddy of the High-Conflict Institute
Advanced Insight Mediation Training with The Curious Mediator
Divorce and Marital Mediation Training and Supervised Practicum with Center for Mediation & Training
Elder Care Mediation Training with Elder Decisions
Basic Mediation Training and Apprenticeship + Small Claims, Special Education, and Solo Mediation Training, as well as Restorative Justice/Circle Keeping with the New York Peace Institute.
OTHER EDUCATION
B.A. Bryn Mawr College, Magna Cum Laude
meghan zefran
I believe that the ability to navigate conflict can change the trajectory of life.
I entered education believing that a great teacher could change a life. Years of teaching in trauma-charged environments taught me that education alone cannot overcome every barrier to change. Meaningful change requires more than knowledge or good intentions. It requires people and systems to be prepared to navigate disagreement, difference, and difficult conversations with greater awareness, agency, and care. For me, meaningful change can happen when people feel heard, can better understand one another, and have agency in what happens next.
That realization led me to restorative justice and eventually to mediation, where I discovered the power of creating a safe space for dialogue and forward movement. I began mediation work with CCR where I continue to mediate court and community cases. As a mediator for the Civilian Office for Police Accountability, I
Our identities, cultures, histories, and experiences shape how we experience and respond to conflict. So do the systems and institutions around us. Mediation isn't about teaching people how to respond “better.” Mediation creates the conditions where people can engage conflict with greater awareness, while recognizing the power, history, and perspective each person brings into the room.
I see mediation as a form of peace-building: helping individuals, communities, and systems develop the capacity to navigate difficult moments with greater understanding, dignity, and possibility for progress.
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Volunteer work:
Mediator for Center for Conflict Resolution since 2024
Lead Volunteer and Community Admin for Refugee Community Connection since 2021
Co-Lead for Feed Hungry at the Downtown Islamic Center 2016-2018
Board Member of Chicago Waldorf School 2006-2007
CASA Of Cook County 2001-2008
Facilitative Mediation training:
Mediator Mentorship Program with the Center for Conflict Resolution
Center for Conflict Resolution Mediator training
Civilian Office for Police Accountability Community Mediation Training
National coaching and leadership training
Other education:
Master of Jurisprudence in Family and Child Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law
M. Ed in Educational Leadership from American College of Education
B.A. in Early Childhood Education
LILLIAN ZALTA
Lillian has had a very unique career trajectory that brought her to where she is today. For 38 years, she worked as an administrator at New York University where she regularly negotiated with contractors and mediated with staff members. Lillian retired from her administrative career in 2020, but leveraged those skills to become a certified mediator through training with New York Peace Institute in NYC and the Families in Transition Program of the Children’s LAW Center in Connecticut. She has been mediating community and co-parenting conversations ever since. She believes very much in “getting to yes” and giving space to her clients for self-determination. Her ability to help people make their own decisions without any judgement has led to many successful mediation outcomes and satisfied clients.
Why I mediate:
