Dr. Elaine Shpungin is a writer, workshop facilitator, presenter, and leadership coach.

Dialogue with Dignity
Dr. Elaine has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of conflict and communication, and more than 15 years working with restorative practices and restorative justice (check out her writing about it here).
Her workshops are interactive, hands on, and practical.
Participants engage in “real plays” rather than role plays, and leave with tools they can start using the same day.
POPULAR WORKSHOP MODULES INCLUDE:
BEYOND THE FEEDBACK SANDWICH: Giving difficult feedback in a collaborative and effective way using the F.I.T. framework (Facts, Impact, Teamwork).
CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACHES TO CONFLICT: Approaching sticky issues and unresolved patterns in a constructive rather than destructive manner.
WHEN MOTIVATION MATTERS: Helping inspire and motivate others when they are ambivalent or reluctant to change, using tools from the field of Motivational Interviewing.
RESILIENCE SERIES
INCREASE YOUR GROUP’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND STRESS AND BOUNCE BACK FROM SETBACKS IN THIS MULTI-WEEK SERIES
-
PURPOSE
Connect to your WHY for being in the world and become more purpose-ful and less reactive in how you live your life.
-
PEOPLE
Unlock strategies for expanding your network of supportive and uplifting people, while decreasing contact with those who drain you.
-
PRACTICES
Explore practices that increase wellbeing by bringing more movement, mindfulness, and meaning-making into your life.
-
POSSIBILITY
Increase your sense of optimism, hope, and curiosity to counter the despair and negativity being fed to us on a daily basis.
LEADERSHIP and EXECUTIVE COACHING
“As a leadership coach, Elaine both supports and challenges my thinking.
She helps me work through tough issues (often around conflict), helping me align with my core values.
She asks the right questions and gives feedback without judgment, allowing me to understand a situation more clearly.
Elaine has also partnered with me to create stronger systems within my organization.
Whether it is through executive coaching, offering trainings to my team, or facilitating dialogue, I can rely on Elaine to get our organization to the next step.”
- Donna Kaufman, Assistant Superintendent to Regional Office of Education 9
“Elaine’s consultation and coaching played a critical role in cultivating and deepening my leadership skills.
Elaine was intentional in developing tailored and strategic consultation, and in doing so, provided meaningful and goal oriented outcomes.
She incorporates research and best practices into her consultation, and at the same time, coached me to use my personal strengths in practicing new skills.
Because of this, I was able to stay true to myself, yet grow in my leadership role.”
- Lyndsey Trout, MSW Field Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Field Education at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
(former Director of Champaign Unit 4 ACTIONS Alternative Education program)
MEDIA APPEARANCES
-
Raising Parents: The Parenting Science Podcast
-
Restorative Justice on the Rise with Molly Leach
-
WEFT 90.1 Public Radio "In the Know" Program
-
WCIA Channel 3 News (Central Illinois)
-
Access Live Radio with Imani Bazzelll
-
Unitive Justice with Sylvia Clute