Greater Good Magazine: Three Steps to Finding Agreement on America’s Toughest Problems

Rob Fersh founded Convergence in 2009 and served as its first CEO until 2020. He has spent over 45 years bridging policy differences and moving important public policy solutions forward in Washington, D.C., working for Congress, in the executive branch, and in leading nonprofit organizations.

Mariah serves as Convergence’s CEO and President after serving as Chief Program Officer. Mariah uses a deep understanding of human relations to build trust and relationships across differences which lead to consensus-based solutions to complex and contentious issues. Her work in consensus building includes assessment, design, facilitation, mediation, collaborative processes, dialogue, public engagement best practices, restorative justice, and program development. Additionally, Mariah has been teaching these skills for twenty years in settings ranging from community trainings to trainings for foreign governments to teaching the mediation clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Prior to joining Convergence, Mariah helped to create and ran the Minnesota State Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution. In that position Mariah used a collaborative problem-solving process very similar to the one used by Convergence to build consensus on state, tribal, and local issues; built the capacity of government to work well across difference; and facilitated the Minnesota Legislative Civility Caucus. Before joining the State of Minnesota, Mariah worked for nonprofit dispute resolution centers in Chicago, New York, and Minneapolis. Mariah captured her expertise, wisdom, and years of experience in a new book co-written with Convergence Founder and First CEO, Rob Fersh, entitled, From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.

Mariah has a Masters in International Affairs with a focus in conflict management from Washington University in St. Louis.

When she isn’t working, Mariah can be found biking, cross country skiing or reading books with her two young sons and husband in Minneapolis.