Mediation
Neutral, structured support for individuals, families, teams, and institutions working through conflict.
Mediation · Conflict Resolution · Leadership Advisory
Difficult conversations need more than good intentions.
Layne Brennick is a Washington-based mediator and conflict resolution consultant helping individuals, families, teams, and organizations navigate difficult conversations, high-stakes decisions, and complex interpersonal conflict.
- Washington-based Serving clients nationwide
- Mediation services Families, teams, and institutions
- Conflict advisory Leadership, crisis, and communication support
Services
Practical help for difficult conversations.
Conflict rarely improves through avoidance. Layne brings a steady process that helps people name what is happening, understand what matters, and move toward practical next steps.
Organizational Conflict Consulting
Guidance for leaders, nonprofits, institutions, and teams navigating communication breakdowns, trust issues, or recurring tension.
Crisis & Transition Support
Calm, practical support when organizations face sensitive decisions, urgent challenges, or public pressure.
Leadership Advisory
One-on-one and team-based advisory support for leaders responsible for people, culture, and difficult decisions.
When to Reach Out
Conflict is easier to address when the next step is clear.
When people feel unheard, stuck, or uncertain, the conversation often needs more than good intentions. Layne helps create the structure, language, and trust needed to move forward.
- A conversation needs a neutral facilitator.
- A team has lost trust or momentum.
- Communication patterns are affecting performance.
- A family or institution needs help making a difficult decision.
- Leaders need a clear process before acting.
- People need to be heard without the conversation becoming destructive.
Process
How the work starts.
A clear sequence for moving from uncertainty to a responsible next step.
Listen
We begin by understanding the people, context, concerns, and desired outcome.
Clarify
Layne helps identify the real issues, not just the visible symptoms.
Guide
Conversations are structured so people can speak honestly, listen carefully, and stay focused.
Resolve
The goal is practical movement: clearer decisions, restored trust where possible, and a responsible path forward.
Credentials
Training and credentials grounded in mediation, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Layne brings formal training and long leadership experience into mediation, advisory, and conflict resolution work.
University of Louisville
BA in Communication
Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
MA in Theology/Counseling
Northwest Mediation Center
Certificate in Mediation
Trinity Western University
Certificate in Curriculum Development
Core Principles
Steady, practical, and human.
Direct when clarity matters. Careful when trust, dignity, and long-term relationships are at stake.
People First
Every person deserves to be heard and understood.
Results Driven
The goal is not endless conversation. The goal is practical movement that can last.
Relevant Experience
Experience that maps to real conflict work.
Layne's work draws from decades of leadership across education, athletics, operations, community life, institutional governance, mediation, and crisis response.
Mark Warren Associates
Consultant and Mediator
Sep 2022 - Present
Consulting and mediation work focused on independent school crisis management, governance, strategic planning, and family or business mediation.
Crisis ManagementMediationConstruction Management
The Thirsty Badger
Owner
Sep 2018 - Jul 2022
Founded and built a community beer garden, bringing together hospitality, operations, construction management, and local gathering.
Construction Management
Brentwood School
Head of School
June 2014 - May 2016
Led schoolwide change, revived academic programs, supported community repair, and guided a successful building campaign.
- Initiated and led a successful building campaign in the first year.
- Advanced an important neglected component of the school mission.
- Revived the Science Department through after-school programming, modern equipment, and new resources.
- Helped mediate decades of division within the broader school community.
EntrepreneurshipCrisis ManagementMediationConstruction Management
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
Assistant Head of School for Strategic Planning and Operations
2005 - June 2014
Managed large-scale facilities, campus operations, contracts, security, transportation, and strategic planning for a complex school environment.
- Developed and implemented the school strategic plan.
- Managed facilities, maintenance, campus, farm, transportation, housekeeping, and security operations across a 1,400-acre campus.
- Negotiated and supervised outside contracts, contractors, vendors, and the purchase and renovation of an additional campus.
- Served on the Head's Council and supported the school through critical issues.
- Contributed to Board committees for strategic planning, land use, sustainability, and facilities.
- Taught Old Testament for 8th grade and Religion I for 10th grade.
Crisis ManagementMediation
The Bolles School
Director of Residential Life
1996 - 2001
Supported residential life, operations, coaching, parent communication, and student development in a complex school environment.
- Managed residential faculty supervising 70+ college-prep and college-potential athletes.
- Supported retention, recruitment, and admissions for the boarding program.
- Counseled, cared for, parented, and mentored student athletes through a wide range of issues.
- Maintained strong parent inclusion in student and school life.
- Coached basketball teams through multiple winning seasons with emphasis on athlete character.
Crisis ManagementMediationConstruction Management
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Dean of Students
1992 - 1996
Worked with students, faculty, and parents on conduct, discipline, student development, outdoor leadership, and school culture.
- Encouraged student handbook compliance with a style respected by students, faculty, and parents.
- Assisted faculty in realizing and implementing their discipline style.
- Taught Introduction to Religion and Ethics.
- Served as Head of the Honor Council and Discipline Council.
- Introduced an Outdoor Program that grew to include more than a third of the upper school.
Crisis Management
Coaching Leadership
Coach
1992 - 2020
Coached student athletes and teams across independent schools and youth programs.
- Boys C Team Head Coach, Lynden Christian High School
- Boys JV Basketball Head Coach and Boys Varsity Basketball Assistant, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
- Swimming Varsity Head Coach, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
- Boys JV Basketball Head Coach and Boys Varsity Basketball Assistant, The Bolles School
- Boys Middle School Basketball Head Coach, Episcopal School of Jacksonville and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
- AAU Head Basketball Coach, Lynden, WA
Contact
Start with a clear, practical conversation.
Share what you are navigating. Layne will follow up to determine whether mediation, consulting, or advisory support is the right fit.
Email brennickla@gmail.com Phone +1 (360) 318-5447Location Based in Washington State / Serving clients in Washington and nationwide
FAQ
Questions people ask before they reach out.
Clear, straightforward answers to help you take the next step with confidence.
Is mediation confidential?
Mediation is generally treated as a private process. Confidentiality terms are discussed at the start and may depend on the setting, participants, and written agreement.
Do you work with both families and organizations?
Yes. Layne works with individuals, families, teams, institutions, nonprofits, and organizations that need a structured process for difficult conversations.
Can you help if people are already deep in conflict?
Yes. Many engagements begin after conflict has escalated. The first step is to understand what is happening and what kind of process would help.
How long does the process take?
Some matters need one focused session. Others require a short series of conversations, preparation calls, or follow-up support.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. Layne does not provide legal advice. This work supports conversation and practical next steps.
Need a more specific answer?
Start a conversation