Roster Membership

• Alberta Justice Civil Claims Mediation Program (since October 2003)

• Municipal Dispute Resolution Services Mediator Roster (since 2019)

• Alberta Justice Resolution Services Family Mediator Roster (Oct 2019-Sept 2024; Jan-Dec 2010)

Peace building

• More than twenty-three years of experience in: mediation, conflict analysis, process design, convening multi-party processes, facilitation, restorative justice, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, change management, conducting skill-based training

• Worked in Canada, Ireland and South Africa with: separated parents, politicians, municipal administrators, youth, victims/survivors of sectarian violence, ex-combatants, environmental activists, lawyers, and university students 

• Completed 150+ solo mediations to date in the area of family law, and 100+ solo and co mediations in the areas of civil law and community disputes

• See Appendix I for details on courses and training

Research

• More than twenty-seven years research and evaluation experience in fields of: sociology, conflict resolution, social sciences, law, psychology, public policy, health sciences

• Wrote research reports for governmental working groups; evidence/medical summaries for lawyers; policy recommendations/best practices for United Nations; and managed evaluation projects for provincial government programs

• See Appendix II for selected research papers

Megan McKay Peace Building - Sole Proprietor

September 2019-Current  |  Edmonton, Alta.

• Maintain high level of political awareness, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, compassion, empathy, and privacy to support critical peace building principles of inclusivity, respect and confidentiality

• Screen and assess cases to determine if mediation or other peace building process is appropriate both initially and on an ongoing basis to ensure integrity of the process

• Coordinate emergency response in the event that initial or ongoing assessment demonstrates necessity of intervention

• Conduct pre-process sessions with each party to evaluate capacity, including screening for family violence, mental health challenges and challenges with substance use

• Develop an effective approach to the conflict, whether one-on-one conflict coaching, mediation or another bespoke peace building process

• Inform clients of mediation or other peace building process, options, and appropriate resources 

• Write contracts and enter into service agreements with clients

• Help families in crisis address needs and interests, focusing on best interests of the children for family law mediations

• Collaborate with other professionals, including judges and lawyers

• Support parties in adjusting to new family structure and circumstances

• Delivered hundreds of hours of service via Zoom video conference 

• Write Mediated Agreements and Summaries to reflect clients’ specific understanding of their decisions, which also contemplates the legal process and aligns with court expectations 

• Work with marketing team for branding and business development, including launch of Internet presence

• Manage billing, accounting, invoicing and forecasting

• In 2021/22, designed and co-facilitated a large multi-party consensus-building process with Bill Diepeveen for a local neighbourhood on behalf of the Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre

• In partnership with retired Justice Andrea Moen, design and deliver unique binding Mediated Agreement process where appropriate

University of Alberta Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge – Research Assistant‍ ‍

May 2026–Current | Edmonton, Alta.

• Provide Dispute Resolution research to a dedicated research unit based out of the Law School, whose objectives are to uphold Indigenous laws and governance

University of Alberta Sociology Department—Teaching Assistant

September 2025 - April 2026 | Edmonton, Alta.

• Delivered lecture on separation/divorce and mediation and social trends in Alberta 

• Marked one hundred fifty 200-level papers for undergraduate Sociology class on Family both Fall and Winter semesters for Professor Amy Kaler

University of Alberta Sociology Department—Teaching Assistant

January 2018 - April 2018 | Edmonton, Alta.

• Marked sixty 300-level research papers for undergraduate Sociology class on Gender for Professor Robyn Lee

Alberta Municipal Affairs Dispute Resolution Services – Advisor
March 2014 – September 2016 |  Edmonton, Alta.

• Worked with team convening mediations and collaborative projects in politically-sensitive environments

• Supported municipalities dealing with disputes or improving communication

• Co-coordinated delivery of Education Program, including scheduling, logistics, requests for proposals and contracts

• Taught and coached adults in courses offered through the Education Program 

• Facilitated dialogues for group-building, issue focus and strategic planning

Alberta Justice Civil Claims Mediation– Manager/Coordinator
February 2011 – March 2014 | Edmonton, Alta.

• Responsible for supervision of three staff and roster of 90 volunteer mediators

• Managed, coordinated and administrated court-annexed program for Edmonton and area, running 90 mediations per month with a 60% resolution rate and a 92% satisfaction rate

• Expenditure officer for operating budget of ~$400,000.00

• Provided support and input for program policy development, such as distance mediation and online dispute resolution initiatives

• Attended ADR judicial study visit in Ireland and wrote summary report

Davidson & Williams LLP – Legal Researcher (Casual)
November 2004 – February 2010 | Lethbridge, Alta.

• Wrote evidence/medical summaries, history of legal system in Southern Alta

Alberta Justice Family Justice Services – Policy & Research Analyst
January 2009 – September 2009 | Lethbridge & Edmonton, Alta.

• Responsible for research design, data collection/analysis, report writing for provincial streamlining project for Family Justice Services

Centre for Global Studies – Research Associate
July 2006 – December 2006 | Victoria, B.C.

• Managed Canadian office of International Women's Rights Project

• Wrote policy recommendations and best practices for the United Nations' "African Gender Development Index: South Africa Report"

YWCA Childcare Centre – Level One Childcare Provider November 2003 – May 2005  | Lethbridge, Alberta

• Delivered childcare services for drop-in childcare centre ages 0-12 years, including for the emergency shelter for domestic abuse survivors

• Supervised part-time childcare staff 

Glencree Centre for Reconciliation – Volunteer

May 2003 – October 2003 | Republic of Ireland

• Lived/worked with international volunteers responsible for centre’s operation

• Facilitated muliti-party conflict resolution for youth, ex-combatants, victims/survivors

Selected public engagements.

• 2026 Federal and Provincial Government Grants for Doctoral Studies ($8,460)

• 2025 Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship ($7,500)

• 2025 University of Alberta Bursaries - Various ($13,600)

• 2016/17 University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship ($15,000)

• 2016/17 Gov’t of Alberta Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship ($7,500)

• 2012 Gov’t of Alberta Assist. Deputy Minister Merit Award – Team Excellence

• 2007/08 Department of National Defence Master of Arts Scholarship ($10,000)  

• 2007 University of Victoria Graduate Fellowship

• 1999 University of Lethbridge Entrance Scholarship 

• 1999 Coalhurst High School Class Valedictorian