About MD Resolution
I’m Marilyn, and my commitment to mediation began long before I received formal training. A life-changing legal experience showed me how a single decision can alter the course of a person's future.
After completing all the requirements to enlist in the US Air Force, I was unable to pursue military service because my son's father, who was serving in the US Navy, declined to grant temporary guardianship to my mother while I attended basic training. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate difficult decisions with clarity, and understanding.
Years later, I experienced divorce and successfully navigated child custody through cooperation and effective communication. That chapter of my life reinforced my belief that even difficult conflicts can be resolved through thoughtful decision-making.
Over the years, both my personal life and professional career have continued to shape the way I approach conflict and communication. Professionally, my career in higher education and nonprofit leadership has been built on bringing people together, navigating complex challenges, and finding practical solutions. Combined with formal mediation and arbitration training, I guide conversations with impartiality, professionalism, and respect.
The same principles that guide my work also guided me through one of the most challenging chapters of my own life. As a cancer survivor, resilience, thoughtful decision-making, and the value of compassionate listening became more than professional values—they became personal convictions.
That’s why I created MD Resolution: to help individuals, families, and organizations work through conflict and make informed decisions about what comes next.
Because every resolution begins with being heard.
— Marilyn D. Willis
Founder | Mediator | Arbitrator
The Meaning Behind Our Logo
At MD Resolution, every conflict begins with people.
The green "U" represents you—the person at the center of every matter. Whether through mediation or arbitration, every person deserves to be heard, treated with respect, and guided through a fair and impartial process.
We believe lasting resolutions begin by understanding people—not simply the positions they hold.
The leaf symbolizes growth, renewal, and the opportunity to move forward. It reminds us that resolving conflict is not simply about ending a dispute—it's about creating the space for a new beginning.