Meet the Conflict Management Academy Team

The Conflict Management Academy - Working towards artistry

The Conflict Management Academy provides online professional development training for people who are, or want to be mediators and coaches, or anyone looking to deepen their understanding and skills to manage conflict in personal and professional contexts.

We have training ranging from 45-minute webinars to 50-hour Conflict Coaching Fundamentals training (ICF accredited) and Facilitative Mediation training (meeting the AMDRAS accreditation requirements). We also offer live online Masterclasses, Artistry Drop-In Sessions, The Mediator’s Dilemma Hypothetical Series, and practice experience and feedback through our REAL Practice Lab. We also run a year-long Conflict Leadership Program that includes monthly small group discussion and reflective practice sessions.

All our activities are based on our four fundamental values: Reflection, Artistry, Engagement, and Lifelong Learning. Our team consists of conflict specialists from around the world, all highly qualified with decades of practical experience, qualifications and certifications, and excellent trainers. Our courses are designed to be flexible and engaging, so you can fit them around your work, family and other commitments. You can learn entirely independently, or you can engage weekly with our vibrant community of students, practitioners, trainers and mentors.

Whether you are just starting out on your conflict resolution journey, or an experienced practitioner looking to upskill and engage in reflective practice and supervision, we have an option for you!

Samantha Hardy

Director and Lead Coach

Dr Samantha Hardy is the Director and Lead Trainer and Coach for The Conflict Management Academy. She is an experienced mediator and conflict coach and the founder of the REAL Conflict Coaching System™. She provides conflict support to managers and leaders across the world. She also provides professional development training, supervision and mentorship to mediators and coaches who work with clients in conflict.

Sam has been accredited as a mediator under the Australian National Mediation Accreditation System and is a Certified Transformative Mediator by the US Institute of Conflict Transformation. She is a Certified Narrative Coach.

In 2021 Sam was awarded the Australian Resolution Institute Award for Service to Dispute Resolution for her leadership and innovation in the field. She was also awarded 2022 Conflict Coach of the Year at the Australian Dispute Resolution Awards.

Sam holds a PhD in Law and Conflict Resolution, as well as other postgraduate qualifications in adult education.

Sam is a well known trainer and university educator, holding adjunct appointments at a number of universities in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA.

Sam has also published widely in conflict resolution, including her books Dispute Resolution in Australia, Mediation for Lawyers and Conflict Coaching Fundamentals: Working with Conflict Stories.

Claire Holland

Trainer and Coach Mentor

Claire is a highly skilled conflict specialist with global experience in mediation, group facilitation, coaching, and training.

As the Director of the Conflict Management and Resolution Program at James Cook University (2017 – 2023), with 10 years as a conflict management practitioner and academic; ‘pracademic’ (2013 – 2023) and two dedicated years as an international conflict specialist (2011 – 2013) Claire has significantly influenced and contributed to theory, practice, education, and scholarship in the dispute resolution and conflict management field. She has successfully developed and implemented processes and support tools in her multiple roles as a project-based consultant advising, supporting, training, and building capacity of individuals and groups to better manage conflict. Claire possesses extensive expertise in education, curriculum development, online and face-to-face learning, fostering leadership development, and capacity building in educational, workplace, and community settings globally.

She has worked in complex and protracted settings on the Thailand-Myanmar border and in the Philippines, as well as project-based work in the Solomon Islands.

Claire is a PhD candidate, holds a Master of Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Graduate Certificate of Education, and a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws.

Judith Rafferty

Trainer and Coach Mentor

Judith is a distinguished ‘pracademic’, integrating 12 years of experience in conflict resolution practice, research, and education spanning Australia and abroad.

Since 2011, she has been practicing as a conflict management specialist through her own business and as a mediator at the Cairns Dispute Resolution Centre.

In her past role as Senior Lecturer (2012 – 2023) and Director of the postgraduate Conflict Management and Resolution program at James Cook University (2014 – 2017), Judith has significantly enhanced curriculum development in conflict studies and provided conflict management training across various sectors, including face-to-face, online and in blended mode. She has also created multiple training resources and practical tools to assist individuals in analysing and engaging constructively in complex conflict situations.

Judith has conducted research in Rwanda, project-based work in the Central African Republic, and is an internationally respected researcher with notable expertise in qualitative studies with vulnerable populations in international conflict and post-conflict settings.

She holds a PhD in Conflict Resolution, a Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution, a Graduate Business Administrator Diploma, and a Graduate Certificate in Psychology.

Carol Bowen

Trainer and Coach Mentor

Carol (FRIAdvMed, CMC, NMAS) brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to her conflict resolution practice, with a passion for people and a clear focus on helping client’s deliver required business outcomes when conflicts get in the way of success. Her sense and understanding of human conflict and relationships is very highly regarded by clients and this is reflected in the high degree of success achieved in her mediation, coaching and training engagements.

She has 20 + years of experience as a Conflict Resolution Practitioner. Results-driven, she takes a pragmatic approach, ideally through early intervention as a key conflict resolution strategy with a tailored blend of best practice techniques. Her practice has taken her into the private and public sector within Australia and overseas. This is under-pinned by 25 years of service within the Australian Regular Army which exposed her to plenty of adventures and opportunity, in Australia and overseas, that shaped her as a person and as a professional.

Carol is a Nationally Accredited (Advanced) Mediator, a CINERGY ™ Conflict Management Coach; Mentor and Assessor (Resolution Institute), a Group Facilitator, a Restorative Engagement Facilitator and Coach; an Interactive Problem-Solving Coach and a Conflict Resolution Trainer.

Davina Storer

Accreditation and Professional Development Manager

Davina has a genuine passion for helping others and has built a successful career working as a counsellor across a range of school, university and private settings in Australia. She considers herself to be a strong advocate for disability and mental health awareness and is passionate about inclusivity and accessibility in her work with clients.

Davina has significant experience supporting students with disabilities in a university context. Having earned her Master of Counselling at Monash University, she now runs her own private practice and is excited to also be a part of the CMA Team as the accreditation and professional development manager.

Outside of her professional life Davina enjoys spending quality time with her family, painting and reading, as well as engaging in gardening activities at the local community garden.

Megan Lewis

Trainer and Coach Mentor

Megan has been providing professional conflict resolution services on the mid north coast of NSW since 2011 and established The Resolution Network in 2013.

Prior to embarking on a formal career in mediation, Megan spent 18 years working as a communicator across a range of industries and held managerial positions in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors with responsibilities across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Megan is passionate about helping people find solutions and make well-informed choices for their future when they find themselves in conflict. In addition to mediation services, Megan provides communication coaching and small group training.

She has a Bachelor of Arts (Sydney University), a Post-graduate Certificate in Asian Sustainable Development (Murdoch University), a Vocational Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (Bond University) and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

In recognition of her commitment to her profession, Megan has won several awards including:

2014 LEADR Practitioner Award for “Significant Contribution to Dispute Resolution”
2014 Winner of Business Leader, Manning Gloucester Great Lakes Business Awards
2014 Winner of Best Start Up, Manning Gloucester Great Lakes Business Awards
2012 “Outstanding Achievement – Start Up Business”, Manning Valley Business Awards (for MidCoast Mediation)

Jess Harris

Coach Mentor

Jess is a human services practitioner having worked in both the government and non-government sectors for the past 18 years. She has experience working across a diverse range of fields including youth justice and recidivism prevention, early-intervention and crisis homelessness support, disability advocacy, elder abuse, family violence, and mental health with a particular focus on supporting deinstitutionalisation and community integration.

Jess holds several undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications including in journalism, human services, social impact assessment, and emergency and disaster management. Most recently she completed a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management and Resolution at James Cook University, through which she obtained my CCI Academy: REAL Conflict Coaching accreditation.

Luci Fittler

Coach Mentor

Luci is a passionate, qualified HR practitioner with over 20 years’ experience across all areas of HR and the employee lifecycle, including change management, performance and conduct, employee & industrial relations and workforce planning.

Over 6 years ago Luci landed her dream HR role. As a Senior People Business Partner, Luci has become a trusted advisor to Senior Leaders, including C-Suite Executives, and works with individuals and Teams to deliver people centred services that contribute to achieving strategic goals & business priorities; build leadership capability; enhance workforce alignment, and strengthen employee engagement.

Luci holds a Bachelor of Business with majors in Management and Human Resource Management (Charles Sturt University) and a Certificate IV Public Relations (TAFE NSW). She is a qualified REAL Conflict Coach through our very own Conflict Management Academy and is an accredited Trainer in Crucial Conversations with Crucial Learning (nee. Vital Smarts). She’s an experienced coach, trainer and really enjoys the opportunity to facilitate team building sessions.

Hoshime Sambayon

Executive Manager

Hoshime is a virtual assistant and executive manager, with four years of experience in the backend of The Conflict Management Academy’s Practice. She ensures smooth operations, optimizes our online platform, and provides exceptional support to the CMA Team. Her leadership skills also extend to managing my other virtual assistant, ensuring efficient workflows and top-notch service delivery.

John Ver Mori

Executive Assistant

With a wide range of experience and talent, Ver offers invaluable support across multiple sectors. With his expertise and insights, he ensures seamless technology processes essential for The Conflict Management Academy team’s success. Taking charge of administrative assistance and technology support, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring our team operates with efficiency and effectiveness; and providing assistance to our executive manager.