Bianca Keys

BA/LLB, NMAS Accredited Mediator, Conflict Management Coach

Bianca is a highly experienced mediator, facilitator, conflict management coach and educator.

She has been working exclusively in the conflict resolution/ADR space since 2004. Bianca is passionate about high-quality mediation and conflict resolution services, evidenced by her long-standing practice as a mediator, mediation trainer, and Director on the Mediator Standards Board between 2014-2022 (as Chair 2019-2021).

MEDIATION

Bianca is a NMAS Accredited Mediator with more than 20 years’ experience.

Bianca has been appointed to a number of State, Federal and Industry panels of mediators and conciliators and is available for private engagement.

Bianca has worked on the design and management of industry mediation schemes for the Australian franchising, horticulture, produce and grocery, film exhibition/distribution, wine grape growing and sales, and petroleum/service station industries.

She provides mediation services within Australia and internationally specialising in: 

  • Commercial

  • Workplaces

  • Universities

  • Small Business

  • Franchising

  • Retail Leasing

  • Healthcare

  • Personal Injury

FACILITATION

Bianca is a highly sought after facilitator for team, organisation, and Board discussions.

Bianca creates focused and respectful forums for general meetings, planning discussions, consultation processes, complex negotiations and difficult conversations. Bianca also designs and delivers tailored workshops to support a hybrid learning and planning environment.

COACHING

A professional development and support opportunity for individuals within organisations.

Coaching for conflict management and effective communications provides a 1:1 opportunity for people to reflect on and develop new strategies for difficult situations. Coaching has broad application and achieves satisfying and sustainable results. It can be particularly valuable within workplaces as:

  • Professional development for leaders, managers and team members

  • Support for engaging more effectively in difficult conversations

  • Moving beyond complaints handling or feedback processes

  • A pre-mediation or post-mediation service.

Coaching is also a helpful resource where:

  • Mediation is not appropriate (or not yet appropriate), but where people would benefit from individual support

  • One or both parties have not agreed to mediation but are open to coaching

  • People are feeling vulnerable in a difficult workplace dynamic.

Bianca also offers Group Conflict Management Coaching for Managers.

For groups of up to 6 managers across an organisation, this format combines reflection, new skills, and strategies with the opportunity to connect and share with other managers.

The sessions are all conducted online and involve an initial 3-hour educational workshop, followed by monthly sessions over 6 months (of 1.5-2 hours each).

This approach provides an accessible and cost-effective option for organisations.

WORKPLACE CONFLICT

Bianca provides tailored support for complex situations.

It can be difficult for HR professionals and managers to know where to begin.

There might be obvious conflict. There might be an undercurrent of upset. It can often feel complicated or difficult to pinpoint.

Bianca offers blended or multiple services that build on one another and provide scope for sustainable outcomes and improved relationships.

She provides holistic approaches to broader issues. These may include:

  • Consultation opportunities with individuals and small groups

  • Identification of key themes, concerns, and experiences

  • Suggested processes and strategies

  • Communications support for leaders

  • Conflict coaching for management teams or individuals

  • Mediation

  • Facilitation

  • Workshops

  • Forward-Planning Meetings

  • Follow-Up/Review.

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

Bianca is engaged by leading mediation organisations globally to train, assess and support the development of new mediators and conciliators.

Bianca delivers mediation training that meets the Australian National Mediator Accreditation System. She also designs and delivers professional development workshops that cover:

  • Conflict Management Strategies

  • Effective Communication Skills

  • Engaging Differently in Difficult Conversations

  • Preparing and Participating in Negotiations

  • Negotiation and Mediation Skills

  • Supporting the Mediation Process – A Workshop for HR Professionals

  • Self-Care and Reflective Practice for Mediators

  • Targeted professional development for practising mediators.

SUPPORTING MEDIATORS

Mediators support people through complex and vulnerable times.

Such support requires the confidence, comfort and experience to read the room and respond accordingly.

Mediators also need to assess when to accept the work they’re capable of and when to refer work that is beyond their scope and experience.

Over the past 20 years, Bianca has become very aware of the gap that exists between training and experience for new mediators. She is dedicated to addressing this gap by supporting the development of highly skilled and able professionals.

As well as delivering CPD workshops, Bianca provides group and individual supervision/mentoring.

Bianca can direct you to organisations for which she provides this service, or for a limited number of mediators per year, can provide 1:1 monthly mentoring/supervision for a fee.

Get in touch with Bianca