Introducing the 2023/24 Dispute Resolution Team (DRT)

 

 

1. Resolve local disputes.

2. Promote open communication.

3. Neutralize disputes and prevent escalation where possible.

4. Foster a positive culture at local Rotary clubs.

 

Bruce Hillyer, Crista Renner, John Stairs, Prakash Venkataraman

 

Bruce is a retired trial lawyer who, during his 50 years at the bar, had expertise in the following areas:

Bruce has also served as a leader of:

Crista has been a Rotarian since 2019 within the classification of Mediator. She holds a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies from Royal Roads University, and a Diploma in Corporate Communications.

 

She is a Qualified Mediator with an Intercultural designation and a Restorative and Workplace Fairness Practitioner.

 

She has spent almost 20 years helping companies build stronger and more resilient teams by developing a more conflict-competent workforce to improve collaboration, increase trust and transparency, foster a more inclusive environment, reduce unhealthy tension, problem-solve more effectively, and enhance employee well-being.

 

 

Before retiring in 2019, John spent 50 years in the investment business, finishing his career as a portfolio manager and Vice President of RBC Dominion Securities.

 

While in this role, John served on The Rotary Foundation Investment Committee (Evanston) as the only Canadian representative becoming both Vice Chair and Chair in his last year of service. John served on the Board of the Rotary Foundation of Canada for a decade and was President for two years.

 

He joined Rotary in 1994 and was the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Burlington North. In the intervening years, he held a number of roles within District 7080, including that of District Governor during the 2004/05 Centennial year. In his various roles in Rotary, John has helped clubs with internal and external conflicts.

 

 

Prakash is an engineer with post graduation in multiple disciplines including Mastery Negotiation from Harvard. Prakash is highly accomplished and results-driven Global Senior Executive and Entrepreneur with a proven track record of success in the global energy, service, and manufacturing industries. Prakash, a well-known community leader has started his journey with Interact, Rotaract, and then to Rotary club in the last 35 years in multiple continents.

 

With over 25 years of worldwide hands-on experience in strategy, leadership, and resource management, he brings a wealth of knowledge to organizations with diverse set of skills, including expertise in general management, operations, negotiations, team management across various cultures, network building, mediation, government and public relations, conflict and crisis management.