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2027 Presenter

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2027 Annual Conference

David R. Brubaker
Professor Emeritus
Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professions

David earned a BS in Business Administration from Messiah College, an MBA from Eastern University, and a PhD from the University of Arizona, where he specialized in the study of change and conflict in religious organizations. David has trained or consulted with over 100 organizations, including those in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, North America and Europe.

Since graduation from college in 1980, David served with several community development and conflict transformation organizations. These roles included Associate Director of Mennonite Conciliation Service and Assistant Director of Mennonite Central Committee’s Brazil program, where he became fluent in Portuguese. David is the author of numerous articles on conflict transformation and organizational development. He is the author of “Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations,” published by The Alban Institute; co-author (with Ruth Hoover Zimmerman) of “The Little Book of Healthy Organizations,” published by Good Books; and author of "When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization," published by Fortress Press.

Mission Statement

Since heeding the call to become a university instructor in 1997, I have attempted to integrate my passion for justice and peace rooted in Jesus' life and teachings into my academic and practice work. I believe that my mission in life is to partner with organizational leaders to create healthier organizations that will over time transform both organizational members and the communities that they serve, leading to a more peaceful and just world community.

Publications
Scholarly Presentations and Abstracts

Citation Pub. Date
Author, When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization, Fortress Press, 2019 2019
Author, Why We Fight: Conflict in Congregations. The Church Network Insight, Winter 2017 2017
Author, When the Walls Come Tumbling Down: Declining Trust in Institutions. The Church Network Insight, Winter, 2016 2016
Author, Shared Identity and Shared Purpose: Two Essentials for a Healthy Organization. The Mennonite, March, 2015 2015
Compiler, Conflict Resolution in the Workplace: What Will the Future Bring? Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Vol. 31, Number 4 (Summer 2014) 2014
Author, Welcoming “Voice” in Organizations. Shalom! Journal, Fall, 2013 2013
Author, Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations. Alban Institute, 2009 2009
Co-Author, The Little Book of Healthy Organizations. Good Books, 2009 2009
Author, Leading Healthy Organizations in a Turbulent Environment. Monday Developments, Nov/Dec 2008; Interaction 2008
Author, Organizational Conflict Intervention: An Arena for Justice Making. AC Resolution Magazine, Summer, 2008; Association for Conflict Resolution 2008

  • "Peace Through Business: The Role of Economic Development in Peacebuilding." Presentation to the Mennonite Economic Development Association Annual Conference, October 28, 2016, San Antonio, TX.
  • “Coaching Change in Organizations: From Conflict Resolution to Organizational Development.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference, October 8, 2015, Reno, NV.
  • “Rebuilding Harmony in Houses of Worship: Resolving Conflicts in Faith-Based Congregations.” Full-day Workshop for the Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference, October 11, 2014, Cincinnati, OH.
  • “Coaching Organizations in Developing Integrated Conflict Management Systems: A Restorative Perspective” (with Sigal Shoham). Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference, October 10, 2013, Minneapolis, MN.
  • “Learning from Peace Processes in Deeply Divided Societies: The Role of Faith-Based Peacebuilders.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference, September 14, 2012, New Orleans, LA.
  • “Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations.” Presentation to the 2010 Massanetta Springs Bible Conference; August 3, 2010; Harrisonburg, VA.
  • “From the Inside Out: Transforming Organizational Conflict by Coaching an Internal Reference Team.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution; October 9, 2009; Atlanta, Georgia.
  • “Conflict as Opportunity: Transforming Organizational Conflict into Opportunity for Systemic Change.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution; September 27, 2008; Austin, Texas.
  • “All About Assessment: The Ombuds Role and Organizational Transformation.” Presentation to the International Ombudsman Association; April 14, 2007; St. Louis, MO.
  • “All About Assessment: Organizational Conflict Intervention as Opportunity for Systemic Change.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution; October 27, 2006; Philadelphia, PA.
  • "Change and Conflict in Congregations: Research Results from 100 Religious Congregations in Dynamic Environments.” Presentation to the Association for Conflict Resolution; October 1, 2005; Minneapolis, MN.

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR).
  • Member, The Organization Development Network.

EMU Service

  • Co-President, Faculty Senate, 2018 to 2019.
  • Program Director, Organizational and Leadership Studies, 2016 to Present.
  • Co-Chair, Faculty Sustainability Task Force. 2014/2015.
  • Vice President, Faculty Senate. 2013 to 2015.
  • Practicum Director, Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. 2009 to 2014.
  • Member, Leadership Team of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, 2006 to 2011.
  • Academic Director, Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. 2006 to 2009.
  • Co-Facilitator, Academic Structure Review Task Force. 2006/2007.
  • Co-Director, University Accord. 2004 to 2006.
  • Member, Prioritization Steering Committee. 2004/2005.