Biography
Mary-Anne Popescu is the Executive Director of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM). As an OAFM Accredited Family and Elder Mediator in private practice, she works to bring peaceful resolutions that help families adapt to challenges and changes across the life cycle. Mary-Anne is also a roster mediator for the Office of Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), and the Ministry of Government and Consumer Affairs. In recognition of her volunteer contributions to St. Joseph’s Maternal Health Support Program, Mary-Anne received the Ontario Award for Good Citizens, from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Mary-Anne supports diversity and acceptance as an ally and volunteer for Toronto PFLAG. She served for eight years as a Panel Member on the City of Toronto’s Committee of Adjustment. Mary-Anne is also the past Chair of the ADR Institute of Ontario’s Family Section and past Board Member of the OAFM.
Popescu, M.
Workshop
Elder Mediation: A Vision for Handling Disputes and Preventing Abuse involving Older Persons through Consensual Dispute Resolution
Biography
Jennifer Suzor has practiced family law in Ontario since graduating from the University of Windsor in 1986 and being called to the Bar in 1988. She was certified as a Specialist in Family Law by the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2004.
Jennifer is an Accredited Family Mediator of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM), having taken her initial training at the Harvard Institute of Negotiation and the Centre for Dispute Resolution in Washington, D.C. She has served as the President of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation since 2013. She is also an Accredited Child Protection Mediator and Accredited Elder Mediator.
In addition to her legal work, Jennifer is Past President of the Autism Society Ontario (Windsor Chapter), Past Chairperson of Restructuring: Making Services Work for Children and Families, and a current Director on the Board of Windsor Life Centre. Jennifer has sat on the Boards of various other local committees and organizations including being Co-Chair of the Walsh Family Moot Negotiation Competition.
Jennifer is a member of the Essex Law Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Academy of Professional Family Mediators and the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. She is also the President of Bridging Family Conflict, the local service provider for the Province of Ontario’s mediation program.
In October 2016 Jennifer was awarded the President’s Award from the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts, Ontario Chapter.
Suzor, J.
This presentation will focus on the emerging use of Elder Mediation as an effective proactive method of resolving conflict, identifying and preventing abuse, and strengthening the multi-generational relationships of Older Persons.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of Elder Mediation and how it can be used to resolve conflict and prevent abuse of Older Persons. The types of Elder Abuse will be indentified and practical solutions to common dilemmas will be explored.
Through the use of Case Studies and group discussions; the characteristics of family systems and intergenerational family dynamics will be explored. We will examine how the balance of power in Elder Mediation affects family systems and Participants will comprehend how the characteristics of aging influence families in conflict. Together we will explore best practices in Elder Mediation and increase understanding of the impact of elder abuse in families.
