Gender Awareness 101 for Dispute Resolution Professionals

Recorded October 13, 2021 (2 hours). Click here to view the recording

This highly interactive session will provide information and insights into what the spectrum of gender diversity is all about. Within a story-telling context of Suzanne’s personal journey as a parent of a trans child, participants will learn about key points of information to help guide their understanding of this subject.

There will be an emphasis on key points for dispute resolution professionals addressing central questions: What do you need to know to ensure you are being respectful and creating an emotionally safe space when working with gender diverse parties? What should you say? What should you not say? The session will include a learning component of key ideas, small group work to discuss case scenarios, and a toolkit of helpful takeaways.

Participants may wish to read Suzanne’s book ahead of the session to familiarize themselves with key terms and ideas, but all will be discussed during the session.

The book is available from Indigo or Suzanne can sign a copy if you purchase directly by clicking here:

Suzanne Sherkin is a Mediator, Conflict Coach, Facilitator, former journalist, and now author. She is also the mother of a transgender child. With this experience, she has worked with staff and leaders in organizations across the country to increase their understanding about gender diversity and help them create workplaces that are safe, supportive, and free of discrimination.

Supporting her son through the process of gender transitioning has given her a deeply personal understanding of what it means to challenge one’s birth assigned sex and move deliberately into one’s authentic gender identity. With this knowledge, insight and deep connection, Suzanne has integrated her decades of experience in workplace communications, mental health, and conflict management to help public and private sector workplaces become more supportive of gender diversity.

She has recently published her first book, When Gender is in Question: A Guide to Understanding. She was inspired to write it when her youngest child began his gender questioning and she couldn’t find the resources she needed for her own support. She wrote the book she wished she’d had 10 years ago!

A leader with Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), Suzanne frequently gives presentations on gender awareness to the international community of peacebuilders. Suzanne is also co-Chair of the Workplace Section at ADRIO.

Professional Development Accreditation:

• ADRIC Continuing Education & Engagement (CEE) points: 2 points/hour
• Law Society of British Columbia: 2 hours
• Law Society of Saskatchewan: 2 hours (including Ethics hours)
• Law Society of New Brunswick: 2 hours
• Accreditation pending from all Law Societies across Canada