NATICK, MA – April 7, 2026 – Doug Stone and Sheila Heen, the critically acclaimed authors of the bestselling book Difficult Conversations, will headline MetroWest Mediation Services’ Annual Celebration of Mediation on May 7, the Natick-based nonprofit announced Tuesday.
Offering mediation services and professional mediator training programs since 1979, MetroWest Mediation Services supports people working together to resolve conflicts peacefully, fairly, and without litigation.
“Mediation isn’t about deciding who’s right. It’s about making sure both sides feel heard—and then finding a way forward together,” said Executive Director Seth Izen. “The blueprint Doug and Sheila laid out in Difficult Conversations plays such an important role in helping people truly listen and find common ground, and we cannot wait for our community to join us at our annual celebration for their keynote address.”
Tickets are available now at metrowestmediation.org/celebration for the 2026 Annual Celebration of Mediation, which will be held on May 7 at 5:30 p.m. at La Cantina Italiana in Framingham. Mediators, staff, board members, and their guests, as well as MetroWest Mediation’s partners in the community, courts, and elected office, are welcome to register for complimentary tickets for themselves and a guest. General admission tickets in support of the nonprofit’s work are also available for $50 per person.
Throughout its mediator training and mediation services, MetroWest Mediation pursues a commitment to raising awareness, accessibility, and utilization of mediation in divorce, family, housing, organizational, and consumer disputes. MetroWest Mediation’s services are offered on a sliding fee scale, with 90% of mediations provided free of charge.
The nonprofit’s impactful housing mediation program has played a key role in preventing hundreds of evictions over the past six years and maintains a success rate of more than 80% in Framingham District Court. The Annual Celebration of Mediation will also honor the influential service of Li Morrison, Director of Housing and Court Services, ahead of her retirement in the fall.
“Li is a big reason why hundreds of MetroWest families were able to stay in their homes, avoiding eviction and possible homelessness,” Izen said. “Not only did she help establish our housing mediation program, Li’s innovation during and following the pandemic has evolved how we practice housing mediation altogether.”
To learn more about upcoming mediator training courses, to inquire about mediation services, or to reserve tickets for the Annual Celebration of Mediation, visit metrowestmediation.org/celebration.
About MetroWest Mediation Services:
MetroWest Mediation Services helps people talk, listen, and find common ground. Offering mediation services and professional mediator training programs since 1979, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports people working together to resolve conflicts peacefully, fairly, and without litigation. MetroWest Mediation Services pursues a commitment to raising awareness, accessibility, and utilization of mediation in divorce, family, housing, organizational, and consumer disputes. MetroWest Mediation Services, EIN 04-2710084, meets the Massachusetts Trial Court guidelines for training mediators and has trained more than 1200 mediators in Greater Boston since the organization’s founding. Visit metrowestmediation.org for more information.
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