Keisha Stoute Founder & CEO in Chicago

Keisha Stoute, Founder and CEO in Chicago of Stoute Communications, LLC, serves as the principal mediator and consultant, offering exceptional conflict resolution and training services to corporate clients across the United States. Ms. Stoute consults for large corporations and mid-size companies who are experiencing conflict, communication, and culture issues; in addition to guiding organizations through strategy to effectively promote equity, inclusion and belonging across all levels of the organization. Ms. Stoute also provides leadership coaching and training and enjoys helping professionals reach their full potential.
 

Keisha loves helping clients in challenging situations and finds pleasure in facilitating conversations that produce successful outcomes. For the past thirteen years, Keisha has mediated workplace disputes,business and contract disputes, replevins, torts, and other cases. As a result of her hard work and dedication, she has gained a respectable reputation, as a non-attorney mediator throughout Chicago and surrounding areas.
 

Ms. Stoute has mediated 300+ cases with a success rate of 90 percent and has received judicial and attorney recommendations for her outstanding work. Keisha is also a certified mediator for the Cook County Domestic Relations Division.
 

Her background includes the following certifications: 

• The Workplace and Personal Wellness Certificate, USF Muma (July 2024)
• Ethical and Inclusive Leadership Certificate USF Muma (December 2022)
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, USF Muma (May 2021)
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Training, FINRA (2015)
• Resolution Training, Resolving Disputes, Ed Sachs (2014) 
• Custody & Divorce Domestic Relations Mediation Training, CCR (2013)
• Mediation Skills Training, CCR (2012)
   

Ms. Stoute has also worked with corporate clients in California, Washington, including a tech start-ups in Silicon Valley and rendered a variety of services. Her client list includes corporations in the following industries; alcohol and beverage, travel and leisure, healthcare, technology, logistics, staffing, cities and government, law enforcement and large non-profit organizations.

Career Highlights Include: 

• Published in Authority Magazine, March 2023

• Teaches Leadership Ethics and Social Responsibility in Masters in Trauma Informed Leadership  Masters Program, Dominican University, 2023
   
• Teaches in Masters of Arts in Mediaton and Conflict Resolution Program, Dominican University, 2022

• Mediation Coach at Dominican University, 40 Hour Mediation Training, 2021

• Provided law enforcement training Cook County Sheriffs Office, 2020

• American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel Mediator,  2021 

• Soft Skills & Team Building Trainer for Entrepreneurship Launch X at Northwestern University, Center for Talent Development (CTD) Summer, 2019

• Mediation Volunteer Appreciation Award, November 2019

• Founded Stoute Communications in 2017

• Published Author on Soft Skills Topics Mind Flash Tech Blog (2017-2018)

• Featured in CBS Chicago Small Business Pulse, November 2015

• Published in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May, June and October 2013

• Volunteer Small Claims Mediator (2013- 2021)

Keisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC and a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from the Illinois School for Professional Psychology, Argosy University, Chicago. She completed her graduate practicum counseling professionals, couples, families, children and adolescents from various socioeconomic and racial groups, and previously held a license as a therapist. While in the mental health, Keisha focused on chronic mental health issues, diversity, and stress management. These counseling skills provide a unique perspective and advantage in the conflict resolution and change process. 

Her employment history of 15 years of business experience includes healthcare leadership and director level positions in large healthcare facilities and in the private sector. While in leadership, Keisha implemented effective policies and procedures for productive work environments, coached and mentored employees, successfully completed turn around initiatives, and resolved disputes with the union. Keisha is also an adjunct professor at St. Xavier and Dominican Universities.