In The News
Dane County
Ombuds Report 2024
March 4th, 2025
“More than two dozen Dane County employees reported retaliation, poor workplace culture and other complaints to a newly created Ombuds office in 2024, according to a report released in February.”
Burnout to Balance
February 1st, 2025
“Burnout can come from any number of factors. Being overworked, lacking support, and being under-resourced are just a couple that I see. For me, burnout comes when I work hard but don’t make any progress.”
How to Manage Workplace Conflict
August 1st, 2024
“It’s about opening up those lines of communication to have a candid conversation with that person to share your lens, but also making space so they can express where they were coming from.”
Conflict Connoisseur
September 30th, 2023
“Since last October, she’s been working on DEFYNE full time, offering public speaking, mediation and ombuds services, all with a focus on workplace culture and conflict. The goal, she said, isn’t to eliminate all conflict, which she believes would hamper innovation and progress. Instead, she aims to help her clients acknowledge conflicts and try to make them more productive.“
Workplace Conflict Resolution
August 15th, 2023
“Face Your Fear. Inaction is the biggest antithesis to conflict management and resolution. As the leader, you can create an environment where addressing the issue, even when making mistakes, is better than ignoring it is better than not attempting at all. If you are truly uncomfortable, you can even acknowledge this by stating discomfort and embracing your vulnerability in the situation. Doing this creates phycological safety in the workplace and shows your team that progress is the goal, not perfection.”
Fem-prenuers
August 25th, 2023
“Hosted at the High Noon Saloon, the panel featured Roe, manager of entrepreneurial opportunities at the Progress Center for Black Women Jazmynn Appleton, Bizzy Bizzy founder Candy Phelps, president of Summerland Education MJ Reiners and Novii CPA founder Victoria Thayer. Diana Pastrana, founder of conflict and culture consulting firm DEFYNE, moderated.“
