Dispute Resolution
Conflict Consulting
EQ, Mediation
Divorce Coaching
For the High-Performing
Unresolved conflict is the tax you pay for delayed change
Master of Dispute Resolution
Pepperdine Law, Straus Institute
MSc Neurobiology
University of Bucharest
MFA Film
Columbia University
Former host & producer, The Mediator’s Talk
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Former national team figure skater
Romania
Divorce Coaching
Going through a high-stakes divorce?
There’s a smarter way to peace.
No law. No therapy. Strategy for a conscious exit using mediation tools.
Welcome
I run a boutique practice for leaders, creatives, and organizations operating where pressure, ego, and emotion intersect.
With a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) from Pepperdine Law and an MSc in Neurobiology (University of Bucharest), I come from a deeply analytical framework—but also from the practical world of film, where I’ve led 120-person crews across cultures and crises, and where miscommunication costs time, money, and trust.
My work is direct and rational, and equally rooted in a cultivated intuition—an approach most of my clients find deeply practical. Less theory, more situational awareness. From classical mediation to conscious uncoupling, I work closely, discreetly, and by design. The most meaningful breakthroughs happen when you stop performing and start telling the truth.
Philosophy
Festina Lente – Make haste slowly
According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, despised rashness in military commanders. His favorite phrase was festina lente—Latin for “make haste slowly.” It meant moving with urgency, but acting with deliberation.
Though Roman, the saying was Greek in origin, and my Greek grandmother instilled it in me. I always joke she was my original Zen master. Years later, my Tibetan meditation guide in the Dzogchen tradition echoed that same truth: “No matter how many advanced practices one does, if we cannot remember and practice the basic teachings, you are probably not where you think you are.”
Today, we live in an era of light-speed information exchange. While our species may be smarter than ever, we often mistake speed for effectiveness—yet multitasking in business is a myth.
This principle of simple, deliberate action rooted in awareness forms the bedrock of my work as a conflict coach and professional mediator. Whether guiding clients toward creative solutions or navigating complex challenges, ultimate success comes down to one thing: never losing sight of the fundamentals.
Mens Sana In Corpore Sano
The ancient concept mens sana in corpore sano—a sound mind in a sound body—isn’t an abstract ideal; it is a practical reality. My work as a conflict advisor and executive coach is informed by a lifetime of intentional movement. A former member of the Romanian national figure skating team, I later expanded my discipline into martial arts, Ashtanga Yoga, Argentine tango, contact improvisation, and facilitating somatic experiences like Unfold at Primal Moves Venice.
True transformation happens at the exact intersection of high intellectual performance and deep kinesthetic awareness. Neuroscience and dispute resolution provide the framework, but somatic clarity drives execution. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I guide each client to identify and integrate the body awareness techniques and movement modalities that enhance their personal clarity, presence, and decision-making under pressure.
Unfreeze Medusa’s stare
In Greek mythology, looking Medusa directly in the face turned warriors to stone—an accurate description of an amygdala hijack. When faced with acute friction, adrenaline surges instantly, and even though it clears in about 90 seconds, stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated. During this window, the prefrontal cortex—the seat of executive function, logic, and self-awareness—remains partially offline for 20 to 60 minutes. We literally freeze.
As a mediator and executive coach, I provide the reflective framework that neutralizes this threat response. Through targeted awareness training, we build the skill to down-regulate the nervous system, unfreeze the brain’s executive centers in real time, and transform what feels like an overwhelming impasse into clear, actionable strategy. Most recently, I served Los Angeles County as an Election Response Liaison (ERL) during the 2026 election, part of a trained de-escalation team working to prevent external and internal conflicts.
What clients say
Carina is a wonderful, compassionate human being whose conflict management skills have been invaluable to our organization. We are incredibly grateful for her help in repairing our relationship with another group we work closely with. We faced a challenging situation, including difficult questions regarding personal conduct and organizational protocols, with some participants feeling under threat while others were hesitant to express their perspectives or needs. The tension noticeably deflated after meeting with Carina. Her presence facilitated safe dialogue, allowing everyone to voice their concerns and identify areas where harm had been done with minimal judgment. With Carina’s mediation services, we all realized that we were ultimately on the same side of the issue and were eager to continue our collaboration. Since then, we have made significant strides toward rebuilding trust and enhancing communication between the groups. Carina is a talented mediator who embodies emotional intelligence and deeply cares about the well-being of everyone around her. She goes the extra mile to assist others in understanding themselves and finding healthy, responsible, community-based solutions to whatever problems may arise.
The LA Tenants Union (an autonomous community organization, not a registered non-profit) vis-à-vis the Robinson School for Public Awareness and Community Engagement (501c3)
Carina is one of the most transparent people I have ever met. She possesses sharp-witted perception, especially about what lies beneath the surface. You can trust that she will always speak the truth, even about those things most people fear to address.
Roxana Suarez – Argentine Tango Dance teacher/celebrity dancer
“We’ve attempted to run a large event with over 400 attendees for several years. Each year, as attendance increases, so does the demand for conflict management, backstage crew, and skilled team coordinators. It was always a struggle to find the right coordinators to manage our team of volunteers. When Carina stepped up, the impact was profound; the event ran smoother than ever. She knows how to lead a large team to accomplish complex tasks. You won’t regret having her on your team! TIP: just tell her what you need done and let her execute; she knows how to ensure a seamless operation.”
Brian Nguyen, SCTC organizer, double US Tango Champion, Bronze Medalist El Mundial del Tango Argentina, Southern California Tango Championship and Festival
“In just 45 minutes, Carina held space for me and guided me in identifying the best solution for my career. I had spent weeks agonizing over it, but during the session with her, I felt clarity regarding the right decision for me. I became more comfortable accepting my choice. I highly recommend her for leadership coaching.”
Ope Osoba, PhD, Rand Corporation
“As the organizer of a large tango event (festival & competition) in Los Angeles, I requested Carina’s assistance in managing the team of volunteers to run the event smoothly. What I appreciated about her was her ability to think outside the box and offer new ideas for planning the logistics. We worked with over 20 volunteers, and her contribution was a significant asset. Thanks to her, I didn’t have to stress about the team. In the end, I received numerous compliments about how much more organized the event was compared to previous years. I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Carina. She is smart, intelligent, and a hard-working person.”
Yuliana Basmajyan, SCTC organizer, Bronze Medalist El Mundial del Tango Argentina, Southern California Tango Championship and Festival