Marilyn McKnight is president of ACR

(October 2007) Marilyn McKnight, co-founder and director of Erickson Mediation Institute, was elected president of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) and began her term in October 2007.

This follows her election as a board member in April, when she was elected to a three-year director-at-large position. ACR has a 16-member board.

The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is a professional organization dedicated to enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. ACR represents and serves a diverse national and international audience that includes more than 6,000 mediators, arbitrators, facilitators, educators, and others involved in the field of conflict resolution and collaborative decision-making.

ACR was launched in January 2001, when the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM), the Conflict Resolution Education Network (CREnet), and the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR) merged into one organization.

The Hewlett Foundation and other supporters encouraged the three groups to join forces in order to build a unified voice for the field of conflict resolution and avoid duplication of efforts. By bringing together the members, staff, and financial resources of the three organizations, merger advocates felt that one unified professional association could better serve all its members and offer greater leadership in the public policy, legislative, and public awareness arenas.