Nashville Conflict Resolution Center

05/19/2026

Conflict often brings unresolved trauma into the mediation room.

On Tuesday, June 30, join us for a Lunch and Learn, presented by Simone Cawl, MSW, that helps mediators recognize trauma’s influence on behavior, communication, and negotiation, while maintaining neutrality and professionalism.

You will be able to:
Describe how trauma affects the brain, body, and interpersonal dynamics
Recognize trauma-related behaviors
Evaluate mediation scenarios for potential trauma triggers and ethical concerns, and integrate trauma-informed principles into the mediation structure
Explain how trauma-informed practice strengthens Rule 31 ethical obligations

This course is approved for 1 hour of general, mediation issues, or ethics credits and 1 hour CLE credits.

Learn more and register today:

NCRC Lunch and Learns are noontime presentations on a variety of topics relevant to mediators, the legal field, and anyone interested in the challenges and strategies of conflict resolution.

05/12/2026

Save the date for Mediation Matters!
📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
📍Hillwood Country Club

This year’s Mediation Matters Luncheon theme, Cultivating Common Ground, celebrates the power of community mediation to create the conditions where resolution takes root and transforms conflict into collaboration. Join us to invest in the work of building peaceful homes, neighborhoods, and communities, and to honor those whose commitment to community mediation has helped plant seeds of understanding where it was needed most. Add Mediation Matters to your calendar today!

Save the date!The Mediation Matters Luncheon returns on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Hillwood Country Club. This year’s theme, Cultivating Common Ground, celebrates the power of community mediation to create the conditions where resolution takes root and transforms conflict into collaboration. J...

05/08/2026

This spring, NCRC and Belmont University College of Law piloted a partnership that offers law students an experiential learning opportunity to observe mediation.

Two third-year law students, Nick Hayden and Catharine Fennell, spent the semester observing real mediations across civil and family cases, witnessing people navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives and how mediation can heal conflicts and restore relationships. They also researched community mediation topics relevant to our work, wrapping up the semester with a presentation and executive summary.

"This partnership... creates a bridge between legal education and real-world community needs, ensuring that future attorneys understand both the human side of conflict and the power of early, constructive intervention." - Shannon Wagner, NCRC Executive Director

We're grateful to Belmont Law for recognizing the value of community-based learning, and excited to be building a culture of resolution in Nashville together. 💙

You can read the full article by Belmont here: https://www.belmont.edu/stories/articles/2026/conflict-resolution-clinic-pilot-semster.html

04/23/2026

✨It's Volunteer Appreciation Week!✨

We’re taking a moment to highlight Pro-Bono Volunteer Mediator, Amy Shepard. She received her Rule 31 General Civil Mediation training with us and diligently worked her way through our volunteer program, going from an observer to a solo/lead mediator. Amy is the kind of person you want next to you on a hard day. Volunteering in our Civil Mediation program, she shows up for neighbors navigating one of the most stressful experiences of their lives, offering a calm and welcoming presence at court that makes her loved by the individuals who find themselves in our mediation room. She even created artwork for the space itself, helping to make it feel more inviting for everyone who walks through the door. We are so grateful to have her on our team and for every volunteer mediator that helps us foster peaceful homes, neighborhoods, and communities through accessible conflict resolution. 🫶

04/16/2026

📣Our Board is growing! We're excited to introduce new leadership and new members who will help guide our work in the year ahead:

✨ Matt is a supervisor with Baker Tilly, formerly Kraft Analytics, LLC who specializes in fraud and forensic analysis, transaction advisory, litigation services, and business valuations. Before joining Kraft’s team, Matt worked as an attorney practicing in mergers and acquisitions, tax, and contract law.

✨ Chris is an Operations Analyst at Lotus Asset Management and brings over a decade of experience in conflict resolution through careers in Behavior Analysis and Human Resources. An active Nashville community member, and previous NCRC board intern from the Young Leaders Council, Chris joins the board in the role of Treasurer with a passion for inclusion and advocacy for underserved communities.

✨ Rachel is Senior Director of Professional Practice Programs at the American Institute of Architects, where she leads national initiatives focused on negotiation, business acumen, and organizational effectiveness. With a background in architecture and an MBA from Belmont University, she brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and speaks nationwide on organizational culture, change management, and conflict resolution.

✨ Melinda is a personal brand strategist at Brand Builders Group and a bestselling author of books that reflect her lifelong passion for health, wellness, and intentional living. She has twenty-five years of brand marketing experience, having worked with global companies like Starbucks, Microsoft, and HP, as well as fast-paced startups. A full-merit scholar with a Nutrition degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MBA from the College of William & Mary, she brings a strong background in strategy, communications, and community-focused board leadership.

Please join us in celebrating our new board members and leaders!

04/14/2026

We gathered to share the results of the Stout Independent Evaluation of Nashville's Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) program! The report highlights the impact of our partnership on Davidson County residents.

Together, the ERTC coalition helped 1,069 households stay housed and 93% of clients avoid disruptive displacements. For every $1 invested, the program generated an estimated return of $4.18, benefitting families and the broader community alike. We're proud to contribute through mediation, where we work with pro se tenants and landlords to build agreements that are collaborative and lasting. 73% of landlord-tenant cases reach full agreement, and of those cases that reach a full agreement, 62% avoid an eviction judgement entirely.

We're grateful to be working towards a more effective, equitable approach to housing stability alongside our partners!

04/01/2026

On Tuesday, April 21, join us for a Lunch and Learn with Belmont University's College of Law’s Dr. Tracey Carter, alongside 3L law students Catharine Fennell and Nicholas Hayden, to broaden your understanding of the psychology of negotiations.

🔵 Determine your own bargaining style and its importance
🔵 Recognize verbal and nonverbal tactics used during negotiation
🔵 Learn how to deal with difficult tactics during negotiations

Learn more and register today! https://give.nashvilleconflict.org/April2026L-andL

NCRC Lunch and Learns are noontime presentations on a variety of topics relevant to mediators, the legal field, and anyone interested in the challenges and strategies of conflict resolution.

03/30/2026

Two people who crossed paths regularly at a bus stop found themselves in the middle of a serious conflict that could have ended in criminal charges at court. Instead, the person who was harmed chose mediation, preferring dialogue and accountability over a traditional legal process. Both participants had unique support needs that shaped how they communicated and engaged with sensitive topics. It wasn't an easy session, but both people stayed engaged, worked through the hard moments, and were able to speak directly to one another in a space built for that kind of hard conversation. Coming to the table really does lead to meaningful outcomes and better understanding. 💙

03/10/2026

Have you seen our new mission statement? 👀 As part of our strategic planning process, we refined our mission to more clearly reflect what we do every day: To foster peaceful homes, neighborhoods, and communities through accessible conflict resolution.

As we continue strengthening partnerships, expanding our reach, and deepening supports for families and neighbors across Middle Tennessee, this updated language captures both the heart of our work and the lasting impact we strive to create. 💙

02/26/2026

Shannon had the honor of speaking at the 2026 Mid-winter Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference with Judge Ryan Moore and Judge Kee Bryant-McCormick about community mediation in Warren and Sumner Counties and how it has benefited their respective courts.

Since the beginning of our partnership, Warren County has had 60 mediated cases with over 130 people served and over $64K in debt settled. Sumner County has seen 110 mediated cases, over 230 people served, and over $185K in debt settled.

A huge thank you to Judge Moore and Judge Bryant-McCormick for their time and their continued commitment to mediation in their courts. It gives people a seat at the table and a chance to be heard, while saving time and money. We're proud to be doing this work with them!