Conflict Management Services team
Last updated on July 10, 2025The Conflict Management Office (CMO) is a centre of excellence in conflict resolution. Our team of dedicated conflict management practitioners considers trauma-informed and inclusive approaches for individuals and teams. We also access a diversity of experiences and backgrounds through external contractors.
The CMO provides BC Public Service employees, managers and supervisors a confidential place to assess and resolve interpersonal workplace conflict.
Participation is voluntary and based on an informal, interest-based approach.
Contact the Conflict Management Office
To request support from the Conflict Management Office, or to learn more about our services:
- Submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request
- Select Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Workplace Disputes & Conflicts > Conflict Management Services
- Call 1-877-277-0772 (toll-free)
Meet the team
- Michael Lomax, conflict management lead
- Alison Paine, mediator and conflict management specialist
- Carolyn Stenberg, mediator and conflict management specialist
- Laraine Ashpole, conflict management consultant
- Rachel De Jager, conflict management consultant
- Shelley John, conflict management consultant
- Carlos Salinas, conflict management consultant
- Brighten Chiou, intake coordinator
Michael Lomax
conflict management lead
Michael joined the BC Public Service Agency in 2015 to establish and lead the Conflict Management Office, which provides services and training to support the constructive management of workplace conflict and the early resolution of disputes across the BC Public Service.
Prior to joining the BC Public Service, Michael practised law for 22 years, with a focus on mediation and collaborative dispute resolution. Michael has conducted hundreds of mediations in workplace, family, community and court-related contexts. In 2021, Michael received the Susanna Jani Award for Supporting Excellence in Mediation.
Michael has served in committee and board roles with various mediation and legal organizations. Michael is a highly experienced conflict resolution trainer and has significant expertise in training professionals to manage high-conflict behaviour. Michael has designed and delivered numerous training workshops and courses for government, corporations, military and law enforcement agencies, as well as human resources and union organizations. Michael is currently a non-practising member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Alison Paine
mediator and conflict management specialist
Alison has a Mediation Certificate from the Justice Institute of BC, is listed with Mediate BC’s Civil Mediator Roster, and has been practising conflict resolution and mediation officially since 2013.
As the former ADM of Talent Management, Alison had the opportunity to bring her vision for a new way to handle workplace conflict to fruition in the BC Public Service. Her strong interest in Conflict Resolution led her to introduce, with the help of a skilled team, an alternative conflict management system, and to create the Conflict Management Office.
Alison also has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario, has an undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria, and is a certified Fierce Conversations facilitator and Lumina Leader practitioner for the BC government.
Alison began her career as a broadcast journalist with CBC Radio and TV. Prior to joining the BC Public Service as a communications executive, Alison worked as the chief executive responsible for communications and public engagement with the Interior Health Authority.
Carolyn Stenberg
mediator and conflict management specialist
Carolyn Stenberg, Cert. ConRes., is a mediator and conflict management specialist in the Conflict Management Office of the PSA. Prior to that she was a certified performance coach with the PSA.
Carolyn’s keen interest in working with individuals and groups is supported by her extensive human resources experience, including over 10 years as a human resources consultant working with a variety of government organizations ranging from Parks to Probation Offices.
Carolyn has been involved in numerous training programs and is a certified trainer in Fierce Conversations and Coaching Approach to Conversations. She has completed a number of professional courses relating to mediation, coaching, facilitation, communication, leadership development and human resource management.
Laraine Ashpole
conflict management consultant
Laraine Ashpole is a conflict management consultant with the Conflict Management Office.
Laraine has over 25 years’ experience in public service. For 17 years she was an Employers’ Adviser with the Ministry of Labour. Previously she was with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. She has a career of leadership experience, with a passion for workplace dispute resolution.
During her career she pursued a Masters in Leadership & Training with Royal Roads University and certifications in Negotiation and Mediation with the Justice Institute of BC.
Laraine is a Chartered Mediator and program coach with ADR Institute of Canada. She is also a registered roster member and program coach with MediateBC. She has completed the CINERGY Model Conflict Coaching training.
Rachel De Jager
conflict management consultant
Rachel de Jager is a mediator and conflict management consultant with the Conflict Management Office. She came to this role in 2020 after 11 years as a business and leadership coach working with individuals and teams, specializing in leadership and conflict.
Prior to that, she was an HR consultant providing expertise to leaders in a variety of government organizations. Rachel brings experience supervising in the Public Service and extensive facilitation experience, and she uses her experience to support individuals and teams work through conflict successfully.
Rachel (Cert. ConRes) completed her mediation certification with the Justice Institute of BC. She is also a Certified Human Resources Professional with the CCHRA and has multiple coaching certifications. Her education and professional development includes training in communication, leadership, conflict resolution, team coaching, specialized coaching and human resources.
Shelley John
conflict management consultant
Shelley John is a conflict management consultant with the Conflict Management Office. Shelley provides expert advice and specialized coaching to leaders as well as facilitates customized team or group processes. She works with leaders and teams to more effectively navigate conflict with approaches that improve relationships, workplace environments and team effectiveness.
Shelley is a Certified CINERGY Conflict Management Coach and a Newfield Certified Coach. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Honours Psychology from the University of Waterloo, supplemented with various human resources and conflict resolution courses. In addition, Shelley brings several years of experience as a business and leadership coach, human resources consultant, and an organizational development specialist.
Carlos Salinas
conflict management consultant
As a conflict management consultant, Carlos Salinas’ focus is on increasing the self-awareness of team leaders and individual contributors while expanding their conflict management capacity. He does this by providing coaching in preparation for facilitated conversations, leadership coaching and conflict coaching. He also supports the CMO by working with external conflict resolution professionals that bring to the team a variety of skills, approaches and cultural perspectives.
He studied law at the Iberoamericana University in Mexico City and has two Master’s Degrees, in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands and in Journalism from the University of British Columbia. He has a diploma on National Security from Mexico’s ITAM.
In 2017, Carlos became a Certified Executive Coach by Royal Roads University, where he now contributes as an Associate Faculty member in the Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching program. He currently holds a Professional Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation.
Carlos began his career working for the Mexican Government advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees. He also advised a successful presidential campaign on foreign affairs and security policy. As a private consultant, Carlos has worked for several North American organizations helping them advance their government affairs, business development and media relations agendas. Carlos brings to his coaching a diversity of life experiences that help aspiring, emerging and established leaders align their values, goals and actions.
Brighten Chiou
intake coordinator
Brighten Chiou is the Intake Coordinator with the Conflict Management Office and is the first point of contact for leaders and employees seeking individual or team support. He graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Diploma in Accounting and Human Resources, and quickly learned that his interests include the support and effectiveness of people.
Brighten started working for the BC Public Service in 2019 where he started as a recruitment support clerk. In 2021, he started his role as intake coordinator for the Conflict Management Office and immediately saw how it aligned with his values of empowerment, diversity, and lasting resolution. This kind of meaningful work continues to shape his career.
Brighten has completed training in coaching, communication, and trauma informed practice. He is currently pursuing the Collaborative Conflict Resolution Certificate with the Justice Institute of BC.