2022 OUTSTANDING Alumnus

LINDA KOCHANSKI (1980)

Linda Kochanski (1980) is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Alumnus award for her exceptional achievements. After graduating from Loreto College Coorparoo in 1980, Linda pursued a Law degree at the University of Queensland. Her career took off when she discovered mediation, a novel dispute resolution method at the time. Linda became a mediator in 1993, specialising in resolving high-conflict parenting arrangements for families. She furthered her education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and gained recognition as an Accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Attorney General’s Department.

Linda has extensive experience in the tertiary sector, serving as Co-director of the Dispute Resolution Centre at Bond University and was Assistant Professor there from 2009 to 2015.

She has also had tertiary experience in the Law faculty with QUT and their Graduate Business School. Her expertise as a tertiary lecturer saw a Commendation in 2007 and an Early Career Teacher Award in 2008, both through Griffith University.

She has developed accredited courses for the Australian Mediation Association and from 2012 has worked as a private consultant in mediation and dispute resolution. She is now Co-director of Global Professional Training and Development Pty Ltd. Linda has presented at national and international conferences, sharing her expertise on mediation and teaching mediation.

She has conducted masterclasses in Australia and overseas in a new area called Relationship Mediation. Linda is also a director on the Mediator Standards Board and leads a training and assessment subcommittee. This work helps set standards for coming generations of mediators. She was the chair of the National Mediation Conference Board. In 2017, Linda was awarded the Alternative Dispute Resolution Project Award and, in 2018, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Academic Award and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner of the year. As a practice leader with the Mediations Program College of Law, Linda fills any remaining time as Director of Studies with the Australian Mediation Association. Linda’s referees pay credit to her generosity with her time and the care and support she shows to those she mentors. She is well respected across the industry and is constructive, enthusiastic and contributes broadly to the Dispute Resolution professional community. A lifelong learner, she continues to reflect on the practice of mediation and to assist those who practice it, to evolve and grow.