Home

  • Bio:

    Growing up in a family in which genuine connection was an artifact and the other person was always to blame, and later seeing my parents going through a painful divorce, I was keenly aware that there must be another way. With the help of Nonviolent Communication, which I have been studying since 2002, I learned how to transform my own adversarial patterns of communication which dramatically improved my relationships with my husband, parents, friends, colleagues, and strangers.

    I have graduated from North American NVC Leadership Program in 2006. I am registered as a certification candidate with the Center for Nonviolent Communication and I am currently in the final stages of certification process, which I expect to be completed by September 2008.

    I have taught hundreds of people in public workshops from a wide variety of organizations, including The World Bank, US Government, nonprofits, spiritual communities, and social change activists. I also offer personal coaching to individuals, couples and professionals.

    To support my students and clients in learning new skills and transforming their own relationships, in June 2006 I founded a monthly newsletter tiled Connection Times.

    In early 2008 I created a 5-minute video, available on YouTube, titled: "How to Resolve Conflicts and Create Connection with Nonviolent Communication."

    I believe that by learning how to apply principles taught in my workshops, trainings and the newsletter people can radically improve the quality of their relationships with others and create harmony, collaboration and peace with those around them. I aspire to contribute to peace, love and understanding in the world and to help people get their needs met and resolve their conflicts peacefully. I believe in transforming the world, one conversation at a time.

    I live in Washington DC with my beloved husband John, my 4 year old son Sebastian, and my 70 year old mother Lidiya. My family graciously offer my numerous opportunities to practice what I teach and continue learning.

    I have received a Ph.D. in Financial Economics from Columbia Business School in 2001. As a senior economist at the World Bank, I have also published a dozen of papers and articles in academic journals, including top field journals such as Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics and Journal of Development Economics.