Nerissa Knapp, EMBA, is an Educator, Mediator, and Leadership, Conflict, and Communication Coach with over 15 years of experience working with leaders, organizations, and individuals. She is guided by a simple belief: dignity matters. She believes the way we communicate shapes the experiences we create—listening to understand, leading with curiosity, responding with intention, and preserving dignity through difficult conversations. At the heart of her work is holding space where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Nerissa is the Founder of Dignity Dialogue, a professional practice bringing together leadership development, conflict management, mediation, emotional intelligence, communication, and psychological safety. She focuses on strengthening leadership effectiveness, navigating difficult conversations and conflict, fostering healthier relationships, and cultivating workplace cultures grounded in meaningful dialogue, accountability, and respect.

Her practice also includes Cultural Competency Training (CCT) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), supporting culturally responsive and psychologically safe workplaces through customized training, assessments, action planning, curriculum development, and applied workplace tools.

Nerissa has mediated matters within the Ontario and Superior Courts, restorative justice programs, and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD). Her approach balances power dynamics and supports dialogue that moves beyond entrenched positions toward greater understanding and mutually beneficial resolutions. Her work is grounded in the belief that understanding another person’s perspective does not require agreement—it requires curiosity.

At McMaster University Continuing Education, Nerissa teaches leadership and supervision, business communication, and marketing. She also teaches leadership, conflict management, mediation, and emotional intelligence at Western University Continuing Studies, with a focus on customized learning for corporate clients.

Across her teaching, facilitation, and professional development work, Nerissa integrates adult learning principles and experiential learning, bridging theory with real-world practice.

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) in curriculum and course development, Nerissa received the MAPS Instructor Award at McMaster (MCE).

Nerissa holds an EMBA and a BA in Psychology and Marketing, with advanced education and certifications in Conflict Management and Mediation, Adult Instruction, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness.