Mutual Choices

For Families

• Are you contemplating separation or divorce?
• Is your family in conflict about an estate, a loved one’s care, or another challenging situation?
• Would you like to learn how to work through conflict constructively and effectively?

For Businesses

• Are you struggling with a business partner, employee, co-worker, or employer relationship?
•  Is internal conflict impacting your business’s bottom line?
•  Would effective conflict resolution techniques enhance your team’s perfomance?

Negotiations sometimes precede a change, and nearly always follow a change. Small changes are negotiated almost without notice. When changes are significant, negotiations take on an increased seriousness as consequences become apparent, and more emotional responses surface.

During these times, a third party can be helpful.

Mutual choices emerge when perspectives are expanded to address multiple goals and interests.  A facilitated collaborative conflict resolution process can create understanding of others’ perceptions and values, resulting in more sustainable outcomes for all parties.

Collene M. Burns has been an advocate of mediation as a form of constructive conflict resolution for nearly three decades.  Trained as a Peer Mediator in junior high school, she has since brought the implementation of mediation practices to organizations where she is an employee or volunteer, including international tech and service companies, higher education, and not-for-profit organizations.

With a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a Master of Business Administration from Simon Business School (University of Rochester), Collene’s educational background in negotiation, change management, finance, and business principles brings a unique perspective to the conflict resolution services she provides for workplaces, families, and separating or divorcing couples.

Collene is a member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, Rochester Association of Family Mediators, and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to her work at Mutual Choices, Collene provides Leadership/Executive Coaching and Organizational Change Management services through usefully, Inc.

John R. Piper, BA, has been providing coaching and conflict resolution services for over 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Oswego, and previously held the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.

John works with and has facilitated conflict transformation within municipalities, associations, businesses and families. In addition, John has facilitated a variety of planning sessions for both large and small profit and not for profit organizations. John’s experience as a CEO, reporting to a board of directors for most of his career, gives him a unique perspective regarding board/staff/organizational relationships. He has spoken on the role of board members for a variety of associations including the NYS Association of School Athletic Administrators, and the National Association of Educational Negotiators.

He is a member of the Rochester Association of Family Mediators, the Rochester Area Group Psychotherapy Society, the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, and John is also an elected official, serving as Vice President of the Board of Education for the Penfield Central School District.