Bio/Resume

 

Following is a summary of my experience, education, training, professional memberships and comments from clients.

neil donnelly qmed mediator kingston eastern ontarioExperience
My Mediation career began in 2000 following 25 years of labour relations experience. As Manager Construction Labour Relations for Ontario Hydro (as it was then) and General Manager of the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association (EPSCA) I acted on behalf of those organizations in collective bargaining and collective agreement administration.

Key to my success was establishing effective working relationships with the multitude of construction unions and with my counterparts in other Labour Relations Associations.

In 2000, I acquired my mediation qualifications and I have been on the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program roster for Toronto and Ottawa since 2003 handling the typical range of civil suits including automobile accident claims, negligence, breach of contract, wrongful dismissal etc.
While with the Mediation Centre of Southeastern Ontario (MCSO ceased operations 2018 ) I coached and evaluated workshop participants in effective mediation methods and instructed on such topics as comparative mediation methods and developing a mediation practice. I was a roster mediator with the MCSO.

From 2010  2014 I was an Independent Complaint Facilitator on the ADR Institute roster for OACCAC complaints.

As principal of Neil Donnelly & Associates I maintain a private practice specializing in Workplace issues involving mediation and third party neutral services such a fact finding, assessment, investigations, coaching, team building as well as labour relations consulting. I have been  involved in a wide range of organizations of various sizes and complexities, profit and not- for- profit, in various capacities, as a member, volunteer, Board Member and Board Chair.

Community Service –ADR
I am a member of the Youth Justice Committee for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, Addington and for 11 years, ending with a relocation to Kingston in 2012, I served as a volunteer with the Simcoe County Youth Justice Committee.
Between 2000 and 2008 I provided volunteer mediation services in Small Claims Settlement Conferences in Barrie and Orillia where I would handle multiple mediations on a morning’s docket.
From 2002 to 2012 I served as President elect of the Simcoe County Dispute Resolution Association

Education

Honours Bachelor of Commerce – University of Windsor
MBA – York University

Training in Conflict Resolution 
  Level 1 and 2 Mediation – Western University
Civil Law and Mediation – University of Toronto
Civil Procedure for Tort and Insurance Claims – ADR Institute of Ontario
Restorative Justice Forums – RCMP and the Office of the Attorney General of Ontario
Healing Circles – Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe County

Ongoing training and workshops with the ADR Institute of Ontario.

I maintain and reference a small home library of texts dealing with the range of mediation methods and conflict resolution approaches, as well as subscribing to various e-mail newsletters dealing with conflict resolution.

Professional Memberships

ADR Institute of Ontario/Canada – Member

Community Service – other
I have had the privilege of volunteering as a Board Member with the following organizations .
Barrie Women’s Shelter(Past Chair) ;                                                                                                                   VON Ontario;                                                                                                                                                      Barrie out of the Cold Program;                                                                                                                        Sydenham District Association(Past Co-Chair)                                                                                                   From 2000 -2014 I was a home visitor with Hospice Simcoe and Hospice Kingston.                                        Currently I volunteer with Kingston’s Youth Diversion program as a member of the Youth Justice Committee and also as a Volunteer training youth in life skills. In the CAL Minor Hockey Organization I am  a Team Manager.

References
….  what people say about my work

“ Neil inspires confidence. He engages people in a positive way, deals effectively with conflict and has a considered approach to complex situations”  Pat Dixon, HR Manager, Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO)

“ I have participated as counsel in mediation with Neil and as Deputy Judge I have met with parties who have provided positive feedback about Neil’s abilities. Neil creates a professional and comfortable environment in which disputing parties are encouraged to resolve their differences. His listening skills and problem solving approach fosters improved relationships, which enables parties to focus on their issues.
I would strongly recommend Neil Donnelly as a mediator and more generally as someone who can enable disputing parties to reach a settlement of their differences”  Ed Mayhew LL.B.

“Neil’s knowledge and experience in labour relations is exceptional. He is honest straightforward and builds strong interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders”  Barb Keenan, Director Employee Relations, New Horizons Systems Solutions

I have recently had the opportunity to sit through a, work related, mediation in which Mr. Donnelly was our mediator.  This involved a difficult situation in my department and I was very pleased with how Neil handled the discovery of issues, mediated the discussions and assisted us with how to resolve our resentment and mistrust.  He showed that he was willing to listen and interject with suggestions regarding our differences in a timely manner.  He also brought forward how differences may have occurred or be seen in a “different light” by each party. I would highly recommend Mr. Donnelly. He brings a low key approach to addressing issues and sets a positive tone in working through difficult issues.”                                                                       Mediation Party S.D. Nov 2016

“I am writing to confirm the professional mediation abilities of Mr. Neil Donnelly, who was the appointed roster mediation under the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program to mediate a civil matter, for which I was Plaintiff Counsel on June 13,2016. Notably in the mediation Mr. Donnelly very capably encouraged and facilitated dialogue from and between the parties. Mr.Donnelly’s experience was evident as he set an informal business like tone for the discussions which facilitated communication between the parties with the goal of settlement.            I would be pleased to have Mr.Donnelly act again in a mediator capacity and highly recommend him”                                                                                                                                                                             J Johnson Counsel to Party in Mediation

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