A clear way forward

Mediation
Facilitation
Leadership
Governance

How I help

My work spans four areas: mediation, facilitation, leadership and governance. 

As an accredited mediator, with a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution, I help people resolve conflict – whether the goal is settlement, rebuilding a working relationship, or deciding what happens next. 

As a facilitator, I support organisations to build alignment, work through competing priorities, navigate public scrutiny, reset relationships or forge new ones. 

I also work alongside leaders – those driving significant change who want to achieve ambitious results and bring people with them, or those navigating the day-to day complexities of leadership.  

And I continue to serve on Boards – bringing independent judgement, strategic perspective and a willingness to hold firm in the conversations that need to be had. 

All these areas draw on my decades of experience as a lawyer, mediator, chief executive and director across very diverse sectors – central and local government, infrastructure, regulation, professional bodies, law, media, NZX listed companies and not-for-profit organisations.

Time and time again, I’ve seen that when people face reality, have the hard conversations and lead with courage, even the most difficult situations can become opportunities for finding a clear way forward.

I'm based in Wellington and work throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Find out more
Get in touch

  • I help people resolve disputes, navigate difficult situations and relationships, and make important decisions about what happens next. Through a structured mediation process, I support them to better understand each other's perspectives, explore options and find a way forward.

    Learn more

  • I design and facilitate structured conversations that help groups establish priorities, strengthen alignment and make clearer decisions in complex environments.

    Learn more

  • I work alongside senior leaders navigating high-pressure, high-stakes or transitional situations requiring balanced judgement, strategic clarity and careful navigation.

    Learn more

  • I support boards and executive teams facing organisational complexity, heightened scrutiny, competing pressures and sensitive decision-making environments.

    Learn more

Testimonials

  • "I can say without any doubt whatsoever, that Susan is amongst the very best mediators in all of those I have worked with. She brings not only what you would expect to the role (a very high level of intelligence and EQ; extensive subject matter skills and knowledge; and excellent mediation processes and tradecraft), but also that extra, and harder to define, 1-2% that only the very best have. The authentic empathy; the genuine kindness to all parties; and a clear and overwhelming desire to provide an excellent and safe (for all) mediation experience. She is, simply, first class. Susan comes with my highest recommendation."

    — Specialist Employment Lawyer (participated in over 3000 mediations over 34 years)

  • "Our new triennium brought new faces to our Council table. This created some much needed fresh thinking and ideas but also some personality clashes and we asked Susan to help us find a way through these challenges. Susan has a gift for creating a safe environment for difficult conversations. Susan helped participants reach common understanding and agree acceptable behaviour. This helped us cut through personality issues and agree ways of resolving conflict before they become a distraction to the work of wider council. This process laid the groundwork for a well-functioning governance table; the change has been noted by fellow councillors and the wider community. I would highly recommend Susan."

    — CEO, Local Government

  • "Facilitating a planning day for a new board dealing with old issues, Susan quickly grasped complicated tensions, undertook excellent preparation that helped us focus on the most important matters, and devised a clever structure for the day so we could resolve issues collegially then think ahead. She challenged us in the best possible way and left us with an excellent pathway. Highly recommended."

    — Chair, Statutory Board

  • "Stepping into a complex situation, Susan created a facilitation environment where everyone felt heard and respected. The workshop was expertly structured to address the difficult issues constructively, without dwelling unnecessarily on the past. This work established a positive platform and clear structure for the relationship moving forward. Susan was a genuine pleasure to work with."

    — Director, Public Sector

  • "Susan created a bespoke and targeted session for our senior leadership team focused on collective leadership through change. An expert facilitator who also brings her own experience as a CEO and leader to ground her concepts, the group felt immediately at ease in her hands. We were able to be honest, brave, thoughtful — and leave with a practical framework to put immediately into practice."

    — CEO, Private Sector

If you are looking for a clear way forward, get in touch.

027 461 4443
susanfreemangreene@gmail.com
LinkedIn