(she/her)
Joan Feringa, M.A., Dipl.N.Sc., (she/her) has been an educator, leader, coach and conflict navigator/practitioner with a long-standing connection to water through time with Sea Cadets and the Canadian Coast Guard: competencies continue to inform her work today.
She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University (2002) and numerous certifications in facilitation, mediation, risk management, and coaching. Her thesis “A Hammer or the Whole Toolbox? Conflict Management in Organizations” focused on systems for conflict prevention and resolution.
After two decades of research solving caustic, costly issues, Joan identified a clear and critical gap in conflict prevention: Conflict First Aid™. After proving volunteers could help with the most basic evidence-based de-escalation and prevention skills (equivalent to medical and mental health first aid), Conflict First Aid™ certificates were awarded for the first time in January, 2020.
Joan’s love of family and addictions to laughter, sea air, and coffee sustain her and after 25 years spent in Ottawa and Kingston, she is beyond grateful to have returned to Vancouver.
Mediate BC serves communities across the lands of many Indigenous peoples, unceded, unsurrendered, and treaty. We are committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, inherent rights and self-determination. In order to do this, we commit to deepening our understanding of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing effects of colonization. Further, we commit to developing meaningful dialogue and relationships founded on respect.
