After working with two Arizona governors in a management development role with the Governor’s Office for Excellence Institute, Janet Bickley joined a nationally-recognized training organization (the American Management Association) where she served as Southwest Regional VP until her retirement. As it turned out, she was not cut out for retirement so began a new career as an alternate dispute resolution professional.

Janet has mediated many types of cases including civil rights (ADR Section, AZ Attorney General), vocational rehabilitation (AZ DES), civil suits (Maricopa County Justice Courts), community mediation (City of Scottsdale Neighborhood Services), and disputes relative to implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (AZ Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services).

Recognizing that mediation techniques and skills have applicability in not only in the workplace but in school settings, Janet has been an active participant in the annual Peer Mediation Conference for High School mediators. She has also trained with the MCCD Mesa Community College in large group facilitation techniques.

Janet believes strongly that mediation can empower individuals to settle their own disputes, can de-escalate what could become a lengthy and costly court procedure, and in many circumstances can heal relationships and communities. For this reason, she offers training in mediation and ADR techniques.

Janet holds a B.A. in psychology from Monmouth University (New Jersey) and a M. Ed. (Organization and Group Process) from Temple University (Pennsylvania). She is a charter member of the AZ Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution. 

Some of the courses taught by Janet M. Bickley include:

• Mediator's Academy