For many of us, negotiations are limited to buying cars. But these people are pros: They mediate conflicts, finagle compromises and broker deals for a living. Featuring international diplomacy consultant Samar Ali, music attorney John Strohm and church conflict management expert Steve Joiner.
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Samar Ali
‘s career has taken her across the globe — currently, as a third-party mediator to help
create a “steady state” for Syria that results in a cessation of fighting and extremism.
In this role, she coordinates her efforts closely with both the United States and United Nations. Samar
worked as a White House Fellow, and she joined President Jimmy Carter to monitor the 2012 presidential elections in Egypt. Then she returned to her home state to serve as Tennessee’s assistant commissioner for international affairs. Samar
co-founded a multi-national consulting firm and also works at Bone McAllester
Norton PLLC
in Nashville. She serves on the boards of many organizations, including Nashville Public Radio.
John Strohm
is an attorney at Loeb
& Loeb
in Nashville, where he represents musicians in transactional matters. His clients include Alabama Shakes, Sturgill
Simpson and Bon Iver
. Prior to becoming an attorney, John spent nearly a decade as a full-time professional musician. He toured and recorded with several alternative rock groups, including The Lemonheads
and The Blake Babies. John negotiates a wide range of deals for his clients — from recording and publishing agreements to dispute resolutions outside the courtroom.
Steve Joiner
has helped more than 200 churches navigate conflict and controversy.
This ranges from shifting power dynamics to changes in culture, like gay marriage
. He serves as the managing director for the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University in Nashville, and he is the former dean of the College of Biblical Studies and Behavioral Sciences at Lubbock Christian University in Texas. Steve also trains public and private organizations in conflict management and leadership, which has taken him to Guatemala, Germany, Brazil, Uganda and throughout the U.S.