About us

Workplace relationships are complex, and a breakdown in communication affects teamwork, performance and personal wellbeing.

Organisations call me when they experience interpersonal and team conflict, dysfunctional behaviour, or allegations of bullying, sexual harassment or discrimination. By using conflict resolution strategies, cultural reviews and professional development and coaching, I help create inclusive and harmonious workplace environments.

I can work with you and your staff to identify differences and find common ground. Through facilitation and consultation, I get to the heart of the issue quickly and provide practical support to guide people to empowered, practical solutions. My integrated services create the building blocks for happy, productive workplaces.

My goal is to help people better understand difference – to see the world through another person’s eyes. That understanding leads to a workplace culture of open communication, collaboration and respect for others.

That’s the kind of workplace we all want.

Debbie Sonin

Our team

Our values

Our core professional values are an integral part of how we interact with everyone we come into contact with.

Professional integrity: Honesty, transparency, reliability, empathy, reflective self-awareness, discernment, competence and commitment. This includes lawful confidentiality and acting in the best interests of our clients.

Respect: Every human being has a unique and inherent equal worth and each person has a right to well being, self-fulfilment and self-determination, consistent with the rights and culture of others and a sustainable environment.

Collaboration: Successful partnering with our clients to build relationships founded on trust, respect and commitment.

Diversity and inclusion: Each and every person we work with is treated with sensitivity, non-judgement and positive unconditional regard.

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DK Sonin & Associates acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we stand, and we pay our respects to the elders, past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions and the culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

I will be forever indebted to the person who recommended DK Sonin & Associates to me… Debbie just did not write a report and leave. She worked with the organisation at all levels to bring the recommendations alive.

Andrea O'Neill, General Manager, Berrigan & District Aged Care Association

Debbie displays a wonderful balance between achieving positive and timely solutions and encouraging a supportive and inviting process built on mutual responsibility, accountability, and open transference for change.

Nick Koletsis, Principal Consultant - Workplace Relations, Fire Rescue Victoria

Deb’s insightful coaching increased my confidence, enhanced my performance and provided a fresh perspective to support my growth.

Michael Schoen, Parks Victoria

Debbie is approachable, professional and practical. She provides consistent quality support and is a great sounding board. Dealing with Debbie is like an extension of our own organisation. She understands the business and moulds her style around us.

Brant Doyle, Manager Organisational Development, Moira Shire Council

Deb Sonin is an acknowledged expert in workplace conflict resolution and has extensive experience advising on discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying. Deb’s professional background makes her an obvious choice to assist with difficult cultural and interpersonal issues in the workplace.

Michael Gorton AM, Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers

With her clinical and human resources background, Debbie offers a unique value proposition for businesses that want to implement change… Debbie always goes above and beyond for her clients and thinks deeply about providing solutions that will work for all parties.

Catherine Brooks, Practice Leader, Moores

Debbie is an astute observer, facilitator and communicator. She is a highly skilled mediator and excels in coaching team leaders to effectively manage and improve team dynamics, behaviours and interactions.

Leigh Rhode, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Health

I highly recommend Debbie as an expert in conducting strength-based workplace cultural reviews.

Jenny Salkeld, Executive Director of Nursing, Colac Area Health

Debbie is warm, friendly and helpful and always makes challenges manageable.

Kurt Porflit, Managing Director, Busch Australia

Debbie is sensitive, engaging, warm… She is able to see the challenges and opportunities and find solutions in quick and practical way.

Greg Embleton, CEO, Byte

Deb's professional, warm and sincere approach is evident in her engagement with individuals and management alike through difficult and sensitive matters, with her ability to gain respect from all parties that facilitates successful outcomes.

Linda South, General Manager, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

I recommend Debbie Sonin to any employer who wants to provide their staff with opportunities to turn workplace behaviours around, improve their teamwork or learn new ways of interacting with others.

Robyn Shilton, Executive Officer, Community West Inc

Debbie has always demonstrated an appreciation of the industrial and personal impacts of her work, and has achieved results beyond what might have been expected given the complexity of the matter.

Estelle Fyffe, CEO, annecto

Deb Sonin's breadth of experience across change management, industrial relations and conflict resolution is evident in her unique ability to address complex and intractable issues to synthesise the complexity into workable, tangible, successful results.

Linda South, General Manager, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Debbie is highly skilled and engaging, making interactions professional and fun. Personally, Debbie is great to work with and is always able to have a chat about a situation that might arise outside of the regular engagements.

Sue Rolland, General Manager, Deakin University Student Association

Debbie provides a sense of calmness and direction during difficult situations to help me remain in control. The experience and knowledge that Debbie brings is incredibly useful and helps me to get the most out of the team I work with.

Liz Moore CPA, Practice Manager, Bluebird Accounting

Debbie is an extremely talented and resourceful practitioner, demonstrating a deep and extensive understanding, knowledge and expertise in mediation, coaching and facilitation. Whenever I need support from an external provider in facilitating a conversation, I engage Debbie.

Brant Doyle, Manager Organisational Development, Moira Shire Council

Debbie operated with integrity, sensitivity and empathy for all within our team and encouraged staff to find their voice in sharing their experiences of the dynamics of the workplace.

Peter Nancarrow, Chairperson of the Board, Jacaranda Village

I have a high level of trust in Debbie’s ability to read the dynamics of a work environment and to co-design and implement respectful and thoughtful approaches to solving problems and improving team functioning.

Leigh Rhode, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Health

About us

Our values

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