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 services and training 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 that hinder the work environment; in addition to providing diversity and inclusion training and coaching services to leaders at all levels of the organization. 

She loves helping clients in challenging situations and finds pleasure in facilitating conversations that produce successful outcomes. Keisha has worked with diverse groups and promotes anti-racism, workplace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. For the past twelve years, Keisha has mediated workplace disputes, business and contract disputes, consumer disputes, replevins, torts, custody and divorce 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: 

• Ethical and Inclusive Leadership Certificate (April 2022), USF Muma 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, University of South Florida Muma College of Business (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, healthcare, technology, logistics, staffing, government, law enforcement and large non-profit organizations.

Career Highlights Include: 

• Adjunct Graduate Professor for Conflict Management, 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, 2020

• Mediation Volunteer Appreciation Award, November 2019

• 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- Present)

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. These counseling skills provide a unique perspective and advantage in the conflict resolution and change process. 

Her employment history of 14 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.