About Us - Olive Branch Solutions

Our Story

Olive Branch was born out of our collective determination to find a more effective way to talk about things that matter. We are two friends who met while working in a dialogue-based peacebuilding program serving Israeli, Palestinian and American teens. As the world has become more divided, we’ve had many conversations over tea about how to resolve conflicts using collaborative processes and inspire healthier conversations in workplaces, congregations, schools and living rooms.

Together, we are changing the conversation in our communities, one person, one group at a time.

Our team

Scott Silk, J.D.; M.Ed.

Principal

In law school, I was frustrated by the litigation process. Why was it so complicated, inefficient, and costly? There had to be a better way. I wanted to sit with the stakeholders and figure out a solution together. Such a simple concept! This is how my journey into Alternative Dispute Resolution began.

Over the last 25 years, I have worked as a mediator, dialogue facilitator, educator, trainer, curriculum designer, and coach. I have mediated workplace, neighborhood, family, landlord/tenant, and restorative justice cases. I have trained others to design and facilitate structured dialogues so people from diverse backgrounds and opinions can engage in civil discourse. I have worked extensively with Palestinian, Israeli, and American teenagers as they strive to understand each other’s perspectives on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I have facilitated countless discussions with high-schoolers about current events, government, immigration, and history. I also use my dispute resolution strategies with my teenage sons; these are definitely the most challenging assignments!

My passion for this work is boundless. In a polarized world where respectful communication seems like the exception and not the rule, I feel an urgent call to action. We can do better! In fact, if we are going to solve the world’s most pressing problems, build resilient communities, and promote well-being among all people, we must do better! Olive Branch Solutions is dedicated to being part of the solution.

When I am not teaching effective communication or mediating a dispute, you will likely find me doing something outside. I enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, golfing, and an occasional game of pickleball. I also love to spend time with my two sons and my wife cooking, laughing, playing games, watching sports, and just hanging out.

25+ years of experience in mediation, education, dialogue facilitation, and training
Associate at Essential Partners
California Founder, Dialogue Facilitator, Board Member for Hands of Peace
Founding Faculty Member, Pacific Ridge School
16 Certifications and Licenses including: Mediator Certification, Divorce and Custody Mediation Certification, Special Education Mediation Certification, REDRESS Workplace Mediation Certification, Dialogue Facilitation Certification
Trainer, mediator, facilitator at the National Conflict Resolution Center

Kim Lande

Associate & Strategist

Words matter. In my career as a marketing and communications professional for non-profit organizations, I have always been passionate about words and concepts that move people to take action.

As the country has become more polarized, I am deeply troubled by the divisive conversations among my friends and family and in my community and country. Involvement in a dialogue-based organization called Hands of Peace showed me the transformative power of dialogue. For 19 days, Israeli, Palestinian and American teens (including my own daughters) talked, listened, struggled, told stories, found their voices and went home changed.

This is where the wheels of Olive Branch started turning for Scott and me. Could we bring dialogue forward into everyday spaces and change the way we talk to each other about what matters?

Following our vision, I studied and became a dialogue facilitator, learned conflict resolution, peacebuilding and leadership coaching. Scott has been my mentor and activator. In 2023, I joined Olive Branch Solutions and together we formed Olive Branch Conversations.

My passion is to empower everyone to have courageous conversations. I bring mindfulness, compassionate coaching and creativity into the training and dialogue room with humor and curiosity. Using my skills as a creative strategist, writer and connector, I’m in the unique position to connect the dots between dialogue and communications concepts and bring them home, into everyday life, for the people we guide and train. This is a true gift.

When I’m not leading dialogue or writing, I’m in the garden, on a hiking trail, biking, on my yoga mat or plein air painting. I live with my scientist husband, cocker spaniel and chickens in Cardiff by the Sea, California. My two daughters, Sophie and Rebecca, have my heart.

Facilitator and communications trainer at Olive Branch Conversations
Trained dialogue facilitator through Essential Partners, designer of the Reflective Structured Dialogue method
Founder of LandeInk, an award-winning writing and strategic marketing studio that serves non profits and conscious businesses
Former board member, interim executive director and San Diego site director for Hands of Peace
Intentional Creativity teacher and founder of Wild Heartist Studio
2019 Encinitas Rotary Peacemaker of the Year

“Work is love made visible”
Khalil Gibran, author of On Work