A panel, not one person.

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  Founder, triage and mediation

  Shiv Martin

  Nationally accredited mediator and conciliator

  Shiv is a nationally accredited mediator, conciliator, independent decision maker and certified vocational trainer, and the founder of the Shiv Martin Group. She works with government organisations as an independent decision maker and conciliator, runs workplace mediations and facilitations for businesses, and has worked with more than 50 government and business organisations on conflict management. As an experienced community mediator, she has a particular interest in cross-cultural and intergenerational mediation. She currently runs every Conflict Services triage call.

  In short

  Founder of the Shiv Martin Group. A mediator, conciliator and independent decision maker, and the person you'll speak with on a triage call.

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  Lead investigator

  Kieran Plasto

  Workplace investigator, registered psychologist and accredited mediator

  Kieran is a registered psychologist, accredited mediator, certified conflict coach and executive coach, and leads our workplace investigations. A former criminal investigator, appointed detective and police negotiator, he has more than 30 years' experience with complex workplace dynamics, including as a senior HR and safety leader in global mining and heavy industry. He has worked with organisations including Anglo American, Aurizon, Glencore, MPC Kinetic and Vale. He is a Harvard-trained negotiator, a member of the Resolution Institute, AHRI, the Australian Psychological Society and the International Coaching Community, and is based in Brisbane.

  In short

  Registered psychologist, former criminal investigator and police negotiator, with more than 30 years' experience in complex workplace dynamics. Leads our workplace investigations.

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  Business partners

  Richard Gifford

  Mediator and conflict strategist

  Richard is a conflict resolution specialist, negotiator and mediator who helps groups and individuals have difficult conversations. He specialises in family business, workplace and startup conflicts, and has worked on some of the most emotionally complex conflicts in the community as a manager at the Queensland Human Rights Commission since 2019. He was first accredited as a mediator in 2021, completed Conflict Coaching Fundamentals with the Conflict Management Academy in 2024, and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland.

  In short

  Works with family businesses, workplaces and startups, and helps people prepare for a difficult conversation that's overdue. Accredited mediator since 2021.

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  Workplace mediation

  Justin Toohey

  Mediator and conciliator

  Justin is a highly experienced conciliator and mediator who has developed his dispute management skills in senior government roles over more than 20 years. He was first accredited as a mediator in 2002, led alternative dispute resolution at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a decade, and is now a Member of the Administrative Review Tribunal. He was elected to the board of the Resolution Institute in 2023. His qualifications include a Master of Laws and a Certificate IV in Community Mediation.

  In short

  Accredited since 2002. A decade as Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

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  Workplace mediation

  Dr Serge Loode

  Mediator, educator and conciliator

  Serge combines academic teaching and research with conflict resolution and peacebuilding practice. Originally from Germany, he worked in civil law before developing his conflict resolution practice. He teaches mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution theory at university, mediates for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, and is a nationally accredited mediator. He mediates workplace and community disputes and designs processes for large-scale community conflicts.

  In short

  Nationally accredited mediator who mediates workplace disputes and teaches mediation and negotiation at university.

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  Commercial disputes

  John Southalan

  Commercial mediator and academic

  John is a dispute resolution professional who has worked in Australia and internationally, particularly on business and community disputes. He has conciliated many cases for the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, and runs a private commercial mediation practice from Perth and online. He is an Advanced Mediator (AMDRAS), a certified Online Dispute Resolution practitioner and an adjunct academic with universities in Scotland and Australia.

  In short

  Advanced Mediator (AMDRAS) with a private commercial mediation practice, based in Perth and working online.

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  Leadership coaching

  Maree Gardner

  Executive and leadership coach

  Maree is an organisational development, change and HR consultant with more than 10 years' consulting experience and over 20 years as a senior executive in the public and private sectors. She helps leaders line up culture, behaviour and capability with what the organisation is trying to achieve, and is known for a consultative, creative and psychologically informed approach.

  In short

  Executive coach and organisational development consultant, after more than 20 years as a senior executive. Leads our conflict coaching for leaders.

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  Policy and process

  Adam Boyce

  Dispute resolution specialist

  Adam is a senior executive with extensive experience in higher education, dispute resolution, equal opportunity, employment law and other regulatory environments. He gets to the core issues quickly and works toward creative, realistic solutions that the people involved can support.

  In short

  Senior executive background in dispute resolution, equal opportunity and employment law.

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  Cross-cultural and governance

  Cobie Britt

  Governance, complaints and capacity-building specialist

  Cobie is a proud Yuwaalaraay woman from Goodooga in northwestern New South Wales, working on Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo. She is a governance, complaints and legislation specialist with more than 24 years' experience across regulatory, government and community settings, and supports Aboriginal organisations, boards and communities with culturally informed governance, complaints handling and dispute resolution. She helps organisations make sense of complex legislative and compliance requirements, and build systems that are practical, accountable and culturally safe.

  In short

  A proud Yuwaalaraay woman who brings a cross-cultural perspective and more than 24 years across regulatory, government and community settings.

Profiles are drawn from the Shiv Martin Group's published team biographies. Accreditation is confirmed before a panel member is matched to your matter.