About the facilitator
Sarah M Blake is a multi-award-winning Conflict Strategist, Corporate Trainer, Negotiation Specialist and Mediator with more than 30 years of experience helping leaders and organisations navigate conflict, complexity, change and high-stakes decision-making.
A second-generation practitioner, Sarah is recognised for her calm, practical and strategic approach to some of the most challenging workplace, organisational and multi-stakeholder environments. Rather than simply resolving conflict, she helps leaders understand what sits beneath it - strengthening communication, negotiation capability, leadership confidence and organisational culture so people can make better decisions when pressure is at its highest.
Her work spans conflict assessment, executive coaching, leadership development, negotiation, workplace restoration and organisational culture. Sarah has developed a suite of practical frameworks that enable leaders and teams to engage in difficult conversations earlier, de-escalate conflict confidently and negotiate outcomes that balance relationships with results.
Sarah has worked extensively across government, mining, defence, higher education, infrastructure, First Nations organisations and the private sector. Her clients have included the World Bank, BHP, the Australian Federal Police, state and local governments, universities and numerous commercial organisations throughout Australia and internationally.
An internationally recognised practitioner, Sarah has delivered workshops and keynote presentations across nine countries, lectured in universities, served on national and international advisory committees, and continues to contribute to the advancement of conflict resolution, negotiation and leadership practice. She is an Advanced Accredited Mediator with the Resolution Institute, an IMI Certified Mediator, TEDx speaker, best-selling author and regular media commentator.
Sarah is passionate about helping organisations build conflict capability - not simply to resolve today's challenges, but to create the calm, clarity and confidence needed to lead through tomorrow's.
Key Expertise
- High Conflict
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Cross-Cultural Engagement
- Conflict Risk Management
- Workplace Communication & Engagement
Industry Focus
- Dispute Resolution Industry
- State & Local Government
- Boards & Executive Teams
- Corporate