About CCMA
Communication and Conflict Management Associates (CCMA) was founded by the former Director and Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, Dr. Charlene Berquist and Heather Blades.
CCMA offers outstanding virtual mediation training, as well as on-request training in Family Group Conferencing, Restorative Justice, and more. CCMA also specializes in organizational conflict assessment and intervention.
Our Associates make the difference and set CCMA apart from the providers of other trainings and services. CCMA's Associates support our training offerings, offer coaching at mediation trainings, and provide intervention support. Many also offer customized workshops and presentations. Learn more about them below, or contact CCMA for more information.
CCMA offers outstanding virtual mediation training, as well as on-request training in Family Group Conferencing, Restorative Justice, and more. CCMA also specializes in organizational conflict assessment and intervention.
Our Associates make the difference and set CCMA apart from the providers of other trainings and services. CCMA's Associates support our training offerings, offer coaching at mediation trainings, and provide intervention support. Many also offer customized workshops and presentations. Learn more about them below, or contact CCMA for more information.
Location and Virtual Events
CCMA is centered in Springfield, MO, and our associates are located throughout the United States. Together we offer outstanding virtual trainings and conflict management services. However, if you are interested in a face-to-face event or service, please email us. We have an extensive referral network that includes our associates as well as other conflict professionals, and we'd love to connect you with someone who can meet your needs.
CCMA's Founders
Charlene "Char" Berquist, PhD
Emeritus Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution and Emeritus Professor, Department of Communication, Missouri State University
Char has over 30 years of experience as a mediator, trainer, facilitator, and conflict coach. For nearly 25 years she served as the Director of of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, where she regularly led trainings and supported community programs in mediation, victim-offender dialogue, family group conferencing, and more. Char leads the trainings offered by CCMA.
Emeritus Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution and Emeritus Professor, Department of Communication, Missouri State University
Char has over 30 years of experience as a mediator, trainer, facilitator, and conflict coach. For nearly 25 years she served as the Director of of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, where she regularly led trainings and supported community programs in mediation, victim-offender dialogue, family group conferencing, and more. Char leads the trainings offered by CCMA.
Heather Blades, MA
An experienced facilitator, trainer, mediator, and conflict coach, Heather served as the Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution for 15 years. She now works full-time as a Senior Technical Writer and supports organizational offerings that encourage communication and connection in hybrid work environments. Together with Char she has extensive experience offering highly interactive virtual trainings in mediation and conflict management. Heather provides technical support for the CCMA's trainings. Learn more here.
An experienced facilitator, trainer, mediator, and conflict coach, Heather served as the Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution for 15 years. She now works full-time as a Senior Technical Writer and supports organizational offerings that encourage communication and connection in hybrid work environments. Together with Char she has extensive experience offering highly interactive virtual trainings in mediation and conflict management. Heather provides technical support for the CCMA's trainings. Learn more here.
CCMA's Associates, Coaches, Trainers, & Presenters
Read on to learn about the varied backgrounds of a few of our coaches, trainers, and presenters!
Lisa Ghan Blumenstock
Lisa has practiced family law in southwest Missouri. In 2000 she received her initial training as a mediator, and since 2009 has concentrated her practice on the mediation of family law cases, in which she assists clients in resolving their case without the necessity of courtroom litigation. Learn more here.
Lisa has practiced family law in southwest Missouri. In 2000 she received her initial training as a mediator, and since 2009 has concentrated her practice on the mediation of family law cases, in which she assists clients in resolving their case without the necessity of courtroom litigation. Learn more here.
Teri Hargrave, EdD
Teri is the Director of the Clay County (MO) Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs. An experienced family mediator, Teri holds and EdD in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management. She regularly presents on trauma-informed mediation and other approaches. Learn more here.
Teri is the Director of the Clay County (MO) Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs. An experienced family mediator, Teri holds and EdD in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management. She regularly presents on trauma-informed mediation and other approaches. Learn more here.
Charlotte "Charlie" Jennings
Charlie is an experienced mediator and parent coordinator, and she has taught courses in mediation and conflict management for the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University for many years. She specializes in working with high-conflict co-parents and in cases where domestic/interpersonal violence is a concern.
Charlie is an experienced mediator and parent coordinator, and she has taught courses in mediation and conflict management for the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University for many years. She specializes in working with high-conflict co-parents and in cases where domestic/interpersonal violence is a concern.
Melissa Maier, PhD
Melissa is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Professional Communication at Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Minneapolis. She is an experienced mediator who also does training and consulting in conflict management and teaches conflict management courses at MSU. Learn more here.
Melissa is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Professional Communication at Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Minneapolis. She is an experienced mediator who also does training and consulting in conflict management and teaches conflict management courses at MSU. Learn more here.
Julia Mendelow
With a successful career in nonprofit management and human services, Julia followed her passion for problem-solving and conflict resolution to become a mediator. She regularly mediates for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and her other mediation services include landlord/tenant, workplace, neighbors, consumer/merchant, school, elder and congregational disputes. Learn more here.
With a successful career in nonprofit management and human services, Julia followed her passion for problem-solving and conflict resolution to become a mediator. She regularly mediates for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and her other mediation services include landlord/tenant, workplace, neighbors, consumer/merchant, school, elder and congregational disputes. Learn more here.
Jim Meyer, PhD
Jim is an Emeritus Professor of Childhood Education and Family Studies at Missouri State University. An experienced mediator and trainer, Jim has worked extensively with high-conflict parents and their children. Learn more here.
Jim is an Emeritus Professor of Childhood Education and Family Studies at Missouri State University. An experienced mediator and trainer, Jim has worked extensively with high-conflict parents and their children. Learn more here.
Brad Palmore
Brad is the Director of the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the DC Superior Court. A former Domestic Relations Office and an experienced family and community mediator, he is working towards a PhD in Conflict Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Learn more here.
Brad is the Director of the Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the DC Superior Court. A former Domestic Relations Office and an experienced family and community mediator, he is working towards a PhD in Conflict Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Learn more here.
Shelly Reece
Shelly is a family law attorney in SE Missouri with over 25 years of experience in family law and mediation. Her focus areas include divorce, custody, visitation, adoption, and more. She is also a guardian ad litem and a MARCH mediator. Learn more here.
Shelly is a family law attorney in SE Missouri with over 25 years of experience in family law and mediation. Her focus areas include divorce, custody, visitation, adoption, and more. She is also a guardian ad litem and a MARCH mediator. Learn more here.
Robert "Drew" Rogers
Drew is a Senior Mediator at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he has been mediating cases for over a decade. A U.S. Navy veteran with a master's degree in Social Work, Drew assists parties to resolve their disputes quickly and effectively, even in highly complex and high-conflict cases. Learn more here.
Drew is a Senior Mediator at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he has been mediating cases for over a decade. A U.S. Navy veteran with a master's degree in Social Work, Drew assists parties to resolve their disputes quickly and effectively, even in highly complex and high-conflict cases. Learn more here.
Cynthia Speckman
Cynthia is an experienced mediator and peacemaker who has taught for years in the the undergraduate and graduate Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University.
Cynthia is an experienced mediator and peacemaker who has taught for years in the the undergraduate and graduate Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University.
Dr. Cassandra Suggs
Cassandra is a distinguished professional with a doctorate in Heritage Leadership, Social Justice, Sustainability, and Participatory Culture from the University of Missouri St. Louis, complemented by a legal degree from Purdue University Global Law School. With over decades of experience in advocacy, Dr. Suggs is a passionate advocate for children and families in civil and family mediation and disputes. Learn more here.
Cassandra is a distinguished professional with a doctorate in Heritage Leadership, Social Justice, Sustainability, and Participatory Culture from the University of Missouri St. Louis, complemented by a legal degree from Purdue University Global Law School. With over decades of experience in advocacy, Dr. Suggs is a passionate advocate for children and families in civil and family mediation and disputes. Learn more here.
Mary Turner, MSW, LCSW, CCDP-D
Mary is the Executive Director of Family Therapy of the Ozarks. An experienced family mediator, social worker, and counselor, Mary has over 30 years of experience serving at-risk populations. Learn more here.
Mary is the Executive Director of Family Therapy of the Ozarks. An experienced family mediator, social worker, and counselor, Mary has over 30 years of experience serving at-risk populations. Learn more here.
