About Us

Melissa Meyer has been working with families and family systems in the for-profit and not-for profit world and as a participating board member for the past 3 decades. Her assignements included Special Education Teacher, Strategy Analyst, Healthcare CEO, Interim CEO and Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider and Educator. Melissa has extensive experience running a variety of business as their senior leader. She is recognized for her ability to facilitate significant organizational changes, lead succesful turnouround scenarios and prepare organizations for sale. Her ability to speak genuine, compassionate truth to galvanize a leadership team and workforce to help them move forward in the face of seeemingly insurmountable challenges has been equally appreciated by those she led and by those governing her. When working with individuals, executives or parents, Melissa has the ability to put herself into their shoes in ways that inspires and initiates positive change. Different assignments have required Melissa’s involvement in a variety of legislative efforts. When necessary, she successfully lobbied for legislative changes in a number of settings across multiple states that brought about positive changes benefitting not only the organizations and industries represented, but the communities at large. Melissa has a BA in Psychology, Sociology and English from Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri, a MA in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has completed post graduate MBA classes at the University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is on track to complete her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) in Spring of 2027. Melissa has been trained by and is an active member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). Melissa is Kansas Supreme Court certified in Core Mediation, Domestic Mediation, Parent-Adolescent Mediation, Domestic Conciliation and Parenting Coordination, mentors new mediators and trains Kansas professionals in Parenting Coordination and other ADR topics. She currently serves on the Kansas Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board.

With nearly forty-three years of national and international experience working with diverse individuals and organizations, Markus is guided by a philosophy that shapes his life, leadership, and relationships. He believes that our thinking, decision-making and actions greatly influence our life experiences. By embracing core values, a clear and inspiring vision, realistic goals, and sound strategies, family, business, and community endeavors can achieve sustainable and worthwhile results. Integrity, honesty and a genuine interest in the success of the people and entities surrounding us will lead to healthy, mutually beneficial relationships and shared trust. Appreciation and mutual respect are the foundation for successful partnerships and teamwork. While knowledge is important, the above qualities are even more crucial. As part of his work with organizations, Markus advised hi-tech CEOs in the Denver, Colorado Front Range area on a three-way corporate merger, helped engineers and senior-level management develop a common language, and collaborated with them to rebuild a severely damaged Shell oil refinery in Baytown, Texas, in record time. He collaborated with dozens of Exxon leaders and team members to boost team productivity and also supported a Wichita-based medical clinic's lead physician in enhancing his team's performance. In his work with struggling businesses, Markus conducted a thorough analysis to identify areas where momentum was being lost, performance was suffering, financial losses were occurring, and marketing or product image issues were hindering efficiency. In his work with organizational boards, he examined and analyzed the individual needs equation of the Board-Executive Leadership relationship. In some cases, focusing on governance and board development led to clear boundaries, which not only increased board and senior leader satisfaction but also greatly improved overall efficiency and performance. In other cases, senior leaders benefitted from certain aspects of leadership development, which in turn benefited their participation in board meetings. Healthy relationships and excellent performance have consistently led to outstanding results over time, as seen in each of these opportunities and countless others. Markus held various senior executive positions, including director of operations, chief operating officer, senior vice-president, administrator, senior administrator, president, and CEO, as part of his own leadership development. Today, Markus specializes in working with families, serving as a mediator, conciliator, and advisor to family businesses of all sizes as they navigate generational transitions and create opportunities for family members to contribute based on their skills, talents, and experience. As families progress on their entrepreneurial journey, they may establish multiple service lines, businesses, and possibly one or more foundations, which benefit their communities and provide a sustainable mission and purpose for the growing family and its employees. Markus leads with a harmony of heart and mind and has experienced countless moments when things suddenly click for families, family systems, and family businesses. He notes that once this hurdle is overcome, there is a noticeable change in the immediate environment, as people interact more effectively and with joy. Sometimes, extensive work is needed to get to that point; sometimes, there are just a few building blocks or understandings that need to shift in order to get there. Markus was born and raised in Switzerland and has worked and travelled internationally. He earned a BBA in business administration, accounting, and international relations, as well as an MS in marketing management, both from the Kaufmaenische Handelsschule in Basel, Switzerland. He also holds an MBA in international business management, organizational development & training from the Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas. Markus completed a year of clinical pastoral education (CPE) with Rocky Mountain Pastoral Care and Training Associates, where he served as a chaplain at the Banner Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. Additionally, he received extensive training in The Way of Council at the Ojai Foundation in Ojai, California, and in Open Space Technology from its founder, Harrison Owen. Markus is also a Kansas Supreme Court approved general mediator, domestic mediator, conciliator and mentor mediator. Markus is passionate about helping individuals, families and family businesses develop and nurture healthy relationships capable of achieving extraordinary results. Markus, his wife Melissa, and their two children have resided in the Wichita, Kansas area since 2013, and they have come to love and appreciate the Midwest's family values.

Marya McCrae has been working with families, family systems, for- and not-for profit businesses in the private and public sectors across the Midwest for the past 50 years in the capacities of educator, sales director, administrator, development executive, coach, advisor and alternative dispute resolution provider. Marya has extensive experience in estate planning, planned giving, annual fundraising and the overall administration of not-for-profit funding. Marya has led, developed, trained and mentored for-profit sales teams in various organizations and achieved national awards for her and her team’s accomplishments. Marya is also a trained Steven Minister, serving members of the congregation who temporarily need extra pastoral care. Marya is an expert at communications and harmonious conflict resolution and is appreciated for her candid and tactful feedback. Marya is an advisor to for -profit and not-for profit family businesses and other organizations and a seasoned leadership coach as well as co-parenting educator. She has served on many committees and boards that have appreciated her expertise, resolve and ability to inspire positive sustainable change. Marya is an advocate for the family, family businesses and for family systems to not only provide healthy opportunities for new generations to grow up and develop, but to also take on leadership roles and responsibilities that will leave a mark for generations to come. Marya received her BS in education, music, speech and drama from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska and has obtained various certifications and endorsements. Marya has been a Love & Logic trainer for over 4 decades teaching proven techniques in various settings. She is a Kansas Supreme Court certified general mediator, domestic mediator, domestic conciliator and parenting coordinator. Marya lives in central Kansas where she enjoys a very active culturally rich life and is embedded in her family, community and church congregation.

Rod Lenz has been serving and working with people from all walks of life for the past 45 years in various assignments in school, hospital, business and domestic environments in the capacities of Teacher, Principal, Director of Education, Superintendent, General and Domestic Mediator, Domestic Conciliator and Parenting Coordinator as well as Consultant to Administrators. Rod’s expertise as a board member has and continues to bring significant value and insight to the organizations he helps to govern and to those serving with him. Rod has been a family business owner and operator, and his family continues that tradition. Rod has an extensive background in the special education field working with families affected by emotional and behavior challenges and trauma. His many assignments provided him with extensive opportunities to work closely with social workers, nursing staff, educators, administrators, psychologists and psychiatrists and helped him form a deep appreciation of and understanding for a diverse workforce and the different cultures and beliefs represented. Rod is a master at working with interdisciplinary teams, effective respectful communication, problem solving, strategic planning and non-litigative (alternative) conflict resolution. Rod is an exceptional leadership coach. Rod has extensive experience working in the private sector, the public sector and the not-for-profit world. Rod has a passion for facilitating solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges while remaining calm and centered. The combination of Rod’s experience, expertise, system’s approach and personal balance is not only extremely successful with challenging dispute scenarios and co-parenting challenges, it lends itself masterfully to family business and leadership development assignments. Rod holds a BA in Elementary Education from Concordia University, St. Paul Minnesota, a MEd in K-12 Special Education from Augustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and a MEd in Leadership from the University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rod holds multiple endorsements from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls IA and Drake University of Des Moines, Iowa. Rod is a Kansas Supreme Court certified general mediator, domestic mediator, domestic conciliator and parenting coordinator.

While holding a successful professional career of over 29 years, Bridget believes that it is the 30-year relationship with her husband and the almost 23 years of parenting, that have been the most valuable in advancing her own learning and in training others in the virtues of temperance and justice. Bridget feels that the precious relationships within our families are fragile and need to be continually watered and maintained. Hands-on experience of establishing boundaries, promoting positive outcomes and solving real world problems have equipped Bridget with skills that are extremely valuable for general and domestic mediation and other related services. Earlier in her career as a teacher, Bridget taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts in underprivileged rural schools and then moved into the insurance industry where she was tasked with repairing her damaged company’s reputation by creating positive relationships with network doctors and hospital administration. While working as a teacher, Bridget enjoyed helping students that had fallen significantly behind in their grade levels and enjoyed mentoring students in after school programs as well as coaching volleyball, basketball and track. When working in the insurance industry, Bridget was highly successful in small group mediation and negotiation between brokers, insureds and company representatives. Later, when representing her company in the medical insurance field, Bridget addressed large benefits meetings and business conferences and in her spare time served on boards such as Junior League of Wichita and Dress for Success. Bridget earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Friends University in Wichita, was trained by the Omaha School for Boys to use their FAME program. Bridget is a Kansas Supreme Court Certified General Mediator and Domestic Mediator and works with businesses and families on finding solutions that are equitable, livable and have the buy-in of those affected. Bridget enjoys helping families navigate the adventures of family and extended family life with a positive spirit of gratitude, learning from their past, yet focusing their energy on building a better future. In addition to her other credentials, Bridget holds a State of Kansas commercial insurance license with lines of authority in property, casualty, personal and crop insurance. For over 30 years Bridget has honed and implemented skills of conflict resolution, reframing, active listening and discernment to help clients successfully navigate the world in which there are ever-changing, dynamic challenges and successfully launch into the next phase of growth.

Born and raised in California, Megan grew up appreciating all of the beauty of the ocean and mountains. In 2007, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing at Concordia University, Irvine, California. Megan has extensive experience in event planning, beginning her work in high school as an assistant and then returning after college as head of Event Coordinators at a highly recognized California event venue. While weddings were the main focus, she also enjoyed planning corporate events, fundraising events and many other special community events. She also found a love for organizing and coordinating photo shoots for various product launches with a brand wear business. Among many other marketing and sales initiatives, Megan has led, developed, and trained her team in business-to-business sales, along with developing highly successful marketing plans, specifically through social media launches. Megan and her family moved to the Midwest in 2021 and love the genuine spirit of the people in her community and church where they live very active and involved lives. Megan and her husband appreciate the Midwestern family values and are engaged in many philanthropic areas of community life. Their children are bright young people growing up surrounded by a loving support system of grandparents as well as aunts and uncles, and cousins. Megan loves helping families and family systems succeed in the different areas of faith- and family-life serving our neighbor. Megan is a master at planning the day-to-day operations at CSI and loves organizing special events for family businesses.