Meet Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury Q.Med

Afsana is the founder of Gibson Chowdhury, Clear Collaborative Mediation. She is a designated Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) and an Adjudicator for the Property Standards Committee in the City of Toronto. Originally from Britain, Afsana was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2007 and entered the Roll of Solicitors in 2010. Following her move to Canada in 2012, Afsana established her mediation practice in 2019 and now mediates in Canada, Human Rights Discrimination, Civil, Commercial, Employment, Contract and Construction/Renovation disputes.

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Biographical

Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury is a trailblazing figure in the field of alternative dispute resolution, recognized as the founder of ‘Gibson Chowdhury,’ a prominent mediation boutique based in Toronto. Afsana addresses workplace discrimination with specialized knowledge and expertise concerning human rights violations. She facilitates multiparty dialogues and mediated processes on anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. She also mediates civil and commercial disputes, including employment, property and contract disputes.

Afsana is an Adjudicator for the Property Standards Committee in the City of Toronto, where she plays a vital role in upholding standards and resolving property-related matters. She is also an Interim Professor at Humber College teaching Ethics, Diversity and Power on the ADR Certificate Course.

Afsana has facilitated many dialogues and mediated processes for clients, including Universities, education Boards, local communities, religious organizations, law firms, charities, music and theatre companies and countless corporate organizations.

Prior to launching her mediation practice, Afsana enjoyed several years working as a successful lawyer in England and Wales, where she was called to the Bar and the Roll of Solicitor in 2007 and 2010 respectively. As a civil trial litigator, Afsana represented clients in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Public Liability lawsuits.

Afsana served as the Chair (2022/2023 term) of the Ontario Bar Association’s ADR Section Executive Board, where she led initiatives to promote diversity in the mediation profession. Her dedication to fostering inclusivity is evident in the OBA Working Group’s groundbreaking report, ‘Neutral Diversity in Ontario.’ where she served as co-chair. This effort aims to enhance diversity within the mediation field. Afsana has further contributed to the field through her role as a committee member of the Winkler Institute, organizing cutting-edge material for the annual Winkler/Osgoode PD/IAM conference.

A respected figure in the international mediation community, Afsana is a member of the International Academy of Mediators’ DEI committee. In this capacity, she actively contributes to developing tools aimed at dismantling gender and racial barriers for lawyers and mediators. Afsana’s commitment to education is reflected in her creation of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs on Equity Diversity and Inclusion and intercultural communications.

Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Afsana is the proud recipient of the ADR Institute of Ontario Star Awards. Her global impact extends to speaking engagements where she addresses audiences on issues related to dispute resolution and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in ADR.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Afsana’s personal journey is characterized by her identity as a British-born national and the daughter of British Muslim Immigrant parents from Bangladesh. As a Canadian immigrant, she finds joy in the company of her husband and three children, residing in the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, also known as Toronto.

Education and Experience

Afsana pursued her legal education at the University of The West of England in Bristol, specializing in Barrister training. Following this, she obtained her undergraduate degree in Law and Business from Sheffield, her hometown. Throughout her Bar Vocational Course (BVC), Afsana actively practiced essential skills such as Advocacy, Negotiation, and Conferencing. She thrived in the practical nature of the course, conducting daily mock trials and honing her barrister skills from the very beginning.
In 2007, Afsana was called to the Bar of England and Wales at the esteemed Lincoln’s Inn, where she holds lifelong membership. She later qualified as a Solicitor in 2010 and gained valuable experience while working at a prominent city law firm.
Afsana showcased her excellence in Advocacy and Negotiation by participating in national competitions organized by the Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Her exceptional ability to comprehend each party’s needs and facilitate fair settlements allowed her to foster strong relationships with U.K. insurers. As a Solicitor, Afsana focused her practice on personal injury claims stemming from medical malpractice, road traffic accidents, employment liability, product liability, and various commercial matters.
During her time in Canada, Afsana completed the National Committee on Accreditation examinations as part of her journey toward obtaining her Canadian legal practice license.
Afsana also completed the Alternative Dispute Resolution course at the University of Windsor offered by Stitt Feld and Handy. This comprehensive program allowed her to refresh her substantive knowledge and enhance her skills in negotiation and ADR. As a result, she earned her designation as a Qualified Mediator from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC).

Afsana is a dedicated full-time mediator who actively contributes to her community through volunteering.

  • Winkler Institute: In June 2023, Afsana joined the Winkler Institute as a committee member of the Winkler Institute/IAM/Osgoodepd Conference on Mediation.
  • Ontario Bar Association (OBA): Afsana is a Past Chair of the ADR Section at the OBA. She also plays a crucial role as a member of the Diversity Committee and co-chaired the groundbreaking Neutrals Diversity in Ontario Report published by the OBA in 2022.
  • Canadian Bar Association: Afsana is a member at large of the CBA’s ADR Executive.
  • Osgoode Hall Law School Mediation Clinic: Afsana brings her expertise as a coach to the Mediation Clinic, where she guides and supports students in developing their mediation skills
  • Adjudicator: Afsana has been appointed by the Property Standards Committee to adjudicate appeals concerning orders issued by the City Property Standards Officer.
  • International Academy of Mediators (IAM): In April 2021, Afsana was selected as a mentee at the prestigious IAM. Under the mentorship of Alicia Kuin, she continues to expand her knowledge and experience. The IAM is an exclusive invitation-only organization hosting some of the world’s most accomplished commercial mediators. Afsana is actively involved in the IAM’s DEI committee, working towards fostering diversity and inclusion initiatives.

 

Volunteer Work

Afsana is a dedicated full-time mediator who actively contributes to her community through volunteering.

  • Winkler Institute: In June 2023, Afsana joined the Winkler Institute as a committee member of the Winkler Institute/IAM/Osgoodepd Conference on Mediation.
  • Ontario Bar Association (OBA): Afsana is a Past Chair of the ADR Section at the OBA. She also plays a crucial role as a member of the Diversity Committee and co-chaired the groundbreaking Neutrals Diversity in Ontario Report published by the OBA in 2022.
  • Canadian Bar Association: Afsana is a member at large of the CBA’s ADR Executive.
  • Osgoode Hall Law School Mediation Clinic: Afsana brings her expertise as a coach to the Mediation Clinic, where she guides and supports students in developing their mediation skills
  • Adjudicator: Afsana has been appointed by the Property Standards Committee to adjudicate appeals concerning orders issued by the City Property Standards Officer.
  • International Academy of Mediators (IAM): In April 2021, Afsana was selected as a mentee at the prestigious IAM. Under the mentorship of Alicia Kuin, she continues to expand her knowledge and experience. The IAM is an exclusive invitation-only organization hosting some of the world’s most accomplished commercial mediators. Afsana is actively involved in the IAM’s DEI committee, working towards fostering diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Approach to Mediation

Mediation is a link between two or more disputing parties, wishing to settle their differences.

Afsana’s approach to a successful mediation is to ensure that the needs and interests of each party are adequately met. She is methodical during her mediation, which helps her to understand and acknowledge the reason for the conflict. She is committed to ensuring each party has an opportunity to convey their issues without criticism or intimidation, which leads to more open and productive conversations. She brings collaborative thinking and over a decade of negotiation experience to every mediation. When parties are not able to find a resolution that meets their expectations, Afsana will demonstrate her creativity and thorough understanding of the situation to suggest a fair resolution.

Afsana encourages parties to actively listen to each other to gain better engagement, understanding, and perspective. She ensures cultural issues and sensitivities are acknowledged with respect and humility. Read the steps Afsana follows during her mediation.

Afsana can provide facilitative and evaluative mediation. She assesses and adapts her mediation as they progress.  Afsana’s style, approach and creativity have already proven to be successful as she has helped settle many mediations to date.

Afsana practices in distinctive areas of mediation and facilitation, each requiring specific sets of tools, skills and knowledge.  See her Practice Areas page to gain a better understanding of her expertise.

 

Afsana strongly believes in access to conflict resolution. She understands the needs of the various communities in the Toronto area and is often volunteering her services where there is a need.  Offering mediation services in both English and Bangla Afsana has a deep understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds and the challenges this can bring. She ensures her clients feel comfortable and have a full understanding of the mediation process.

Book a mediation with Afsana by contacting her on 647 518 3166 or email afsana@gcmediation.com, or please use the online calendar booking system.