Here are just some of the professions represented among New York Peace Institute mediators:

Hostage negotiator, United Nations diplomat, Broadway producer, judge, NYPD detective, animal rights activist, stand-up comedian, closet space organizer, homemaker, lawyer, doctor, dog trainer, transit worker, mussel farmer, TV producer, journalist, actor, philanthropist, mystery novelist, social worker, marketing executive, stage manager, artist, IT guy, taxi driver, domestic violence advocate, court clerk, limousine company owner, cat breeder, bar owner, glass blower, religious leader, linguist, editor, musician, homeless shelter supervisor….

We haven’t done any empirical research on the correlation between professional background and mediator quality.  But we’ve trained hundreds and hundreds of folks from all walks of life, and honestly, I’m unable to make any connection between career choice and peacebuilding skills.   And this is something I really love about our profession — regardless of the letters behind your name, your career, your job, your background, you can build peace in your community.

Oh, I did read somewhere that middle children make good mediators.  We do seem to have a disproportionately high percentage of them in our pool.  So, Jan Brady-types in the metro area….call us….

 from http://thehecklist.wordpress.com/