Hi! I'm Mary Shamaly, and I'm on a mission to change your brain about communication and conflict

You're not avoiding hard conversations because you don’t know what to say. You're avoiding them because your nervous system is shutting down when you need it online.

So you brace, overthink, rehearse it 100 times, then soften it too much, come out too sharp, or say nothing at all. And afterwards, you replay it for days: should’ve said this, why did I say that, I’m so annoyed, I feel sick.

This shows up everywhere:

• in leadership + workplace dynamics

• in intimate relationships + family systems

• in high-stakes conflict where trust is low + emotion is high

• in organisations where stress, burnout, and values collisions are the norm

The real issue is dysregulation + unclear language + no structure for what to do when someone reacts badly.

So, how do we solve it? We build capacity for calm, clear communication under pressure, and we choose the right container for the situation.

Work with me

Communication + conflict coaching (1:1)

For professional women who want to communicate with confidence at home, at work, and everywhere in between.

We work on:

• nervous system regulation

• saying the thing clearly, without over-explaining, or erupting

• handling difficult behaviours

• getting to an outcome

• stopping the post-conversation spiral

This is practical and tailored to you. You leave with actionable tools for immediate results.

Bespoke conflict transformation training for organisations

For teams working in high-stress environments who deal with difficult conversations daily.

Training focuses on field-ready tools, not theory:

• de-escalation and emotional regulation in real time

• communication frameworks that reduce harm and increase clarity

• boundaries, limits, and escalation pathways

• handling values collisions with safety and respect

• drills and practice, so it sticks

Private mediation (in or outside court)

When the stakes are high and the relationship is strained, mediation gives you a structured path through conflict without constant back-and-forth, threats, or stalemates.

Private mediation is for disputes where you need:

• a neutral, calm process

• clear agenda and tight facilitation

• progress toward resolution, not emotional ping-pong

Family mediation (young people + families, including when homelessness is a risk)

When a family is stuck in conflict loops and everyone is activated, coaching one person isn’t enough. You need a safe, structured process where each person can speak and be heard, without it turning into another fight.

Mediation helps:

• slow the escalation

• clarify what’s really going on underneath the positions

• rebuild enough trust to make agreements

• create workable next steps that reduce harm and increase stability

Lawyer, nationally accredited mediator, communication + conflict coach, facilitator, Coptic Orthodox, bilingual, and lover of all things baked goods.

After spending 13+ years at the intersection of conflict transformation and system reform, I took the leap into founding Grace + Justice in 2025, and it was the best decision I've made (other than saying yes to my husband).

I started as a Legal Aid lawyer, then moved to the Children’s Court where I mediated more than 1500 child protection matters, guiding difficult conversations where trust was low and emotions were high. Along the way, I supported a youth justice reform pilot, helped embed new family violence laws into court operations, and mentored emerging lawyers through their Practical Legal Training.

My work is for people who care about their relationships, but feel stuck in the same patterns:

• silent resentment

• blow-ups

• the “I wish I’d said it differently” moments

• conversations you rehearse in your head, then avoid in real life

I bring a calm, structured approach into real-world conflict, inside workplaces and within families. My style is trauma-aware, strengths-based, and deeply practical.

I’m not here to make things “nice”. I’m here to help you communicate with clarity and dignity, even when it’s uncomfortable.

On a personal level, I’m Egyptian-Lebanese, grew up in Dubai, and moved to Australia when I was 13. I’ve lived across cultures, values, and ways of speaking, which means I understand how easily people can misinterpret each other, even when they’re trying to understand one another.

At Grace + Justice, you can work with me through:

• communication + conflict coaching especially for professional women lacking in confidence

• bespoke conflict transformation training for organisations

• family mediation for young people in conflict with their families (including when homelessness is a risk)

• private mediation for disputes in or outside court

If you’re ready to stop bracing for conflict and start leading conversations with confidence, you’re in the right place.

Get to know me

What clients are saying...