Dr. Michael Saini, Ontario
Ph.D., M.S.W., R.S.W. Professor and Factor-Inwentash Chair in Law and Social Work University of Toronto
Dr. Michael Saini is a Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where he holds the endowed Chair in Law and Social Work and is cross-appointed to the Faculty of Law. He also serves as the Co-Director of the combined J.D./M.S.W. program. With over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of family law and social work, Dr. Saini brings a deep understanding of how social work values align with mediation practices. His research and teaching focus on trauma-informed approaches, child-inclusive dispute resolution, and evidence-informed policy development. He has authored more than 200 publications on parenting evaluations, family violence, and dispute resolution processes and regularly presents to international audiences on the evolving role of social workers in legal contexts. Dr. Saini is a board member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Family Mediation Canada (FMC), and the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC), and is committed to strengthening the profession's role in peaceful, collaborative family law solutions.
Margaret Stewart Sweet, Prince Edward Island
Margaret Stewart Sweet is a seasoned mediator based in Prince Edward Island, with over 25 years of experience in rural private practice. She specializes in child development, child protection and Indigenous community mediation. Margaret is a Lifetime Member of Family Mediation Canada (FMC), where she serves as a director and chairs the Child Protection Mediation Certification Committee. Her practice emphasizes preserving relationships and making mediation services affordable and accessible within communities. Her background is in special education, social work, financial assistance, and community development. Beyond her mediation work, Margaret has been actively involved in community development and social work within First Nations communities. She and her husband have four grown children, six grandchildren, and co-own and manage Sweet Farms Inc. in O'Leary, Prince Edward Island.