Baldivis conflict strategist nabs international award

Baldivis conflict strategist Sarah Blake has been awarded the International Business Innovator of the Year award at the first annual Executive Networking Events international business awards on October 4.

Hosted by Earl and Countess of Crom Castle in Northern Ireland, the awards gala night was part of the wider ENE International Executive Networking Symposium event from September 30 to October 6.

An entrepreneur and conflict strategist, Ms Blake was presented with the 2019 International Innovator of the Year Award in recognition of her work in multi-party, cross-border disputes and her passion for empowering the community to be peace-leaders. She provides conflict advice to State and Federal government, has worked with the World Bank as well as delivered training across Australia and Internationally.

Ms Blake said the win was “an incredible surprise and honour”.

“My innovation is delivered through high-level conflict management services that help people nurture problem-solving, rather than fighting,” she said.

“What sets me apart from others in my industry is my capacity to understand the strategic positioning of your conflict. “We need to be brave enough to lean into the hard conversations. This is the space where innovation, change and resolution emerge from, my job is to help people engage effectively.”

Event co-founder Shelly Yorgesen said Ms Blake was “most deserving” of the award.

“We believe that Sarah deserved this honour because when everyone else takes the well-trod path, the International Business Innovator of the Year has taken the road less travelled and, ultimately, excelled in her endeavours,” she said.

At considerable risk to her professional status, reputation or even potentially the bottom line…she has changed something significantly in her field and likely has created a new wave that will be more easily ridden by those following in her wake.”

Executives attended the event from eight countries including America, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, China, France and Australia.

Coinciding with the award Ms Blake will be launching her 2020 products, which focus on effective decision-making in complex situations, including her Advanced Dispute Resolution Professional Development series, a Conflict Management Program and the release of her first book Grounding: The business of peace-making, culture and decision-making, which is a collection of poetry.