From Conflict to Calling: My Journey Into Mediation
Written by Leyla Balakhane on September 10, 2025.
My path to mediation is deeply personal. It began not in classrooms or professional trainings, but in moments of survival, injustice, and resilience that shaped how I see conflict and the human spirit. From growing up in the middle of war to watching my mother fight for our freedom, I learned early on that negotiation and fairness can mean the difference between despair and hope.
For me, mediation is more than a profession. It is a calling. I believe every voice matters, and even in the hardest conflicts, there is room for respect and resolution.
Learning to Live With Fear and Injustice
I grew up during the Iran–Iraq War. Bombs fell near my home, and fear was woven into daily life. On top of the war, my family’s religion was not accepted, and women had almost no rights. Women couldn’t travel abroad without their husband’s permission, had limited legal rights in divorce, and were constantly restricted.
My mother carried the weight of these injustices every day. With six children depending on her, she made it her mission to get us out of Iran so we could live in a place where our freedom and identity would not be punished.
“From a young age, I understood what it meant to live under pressure, to be targeted for who you are, and to survive when everything feels uncertain”
Escaping Oppression, Seeking Freedom
Leaving Iran was not quick or simple. It took five long years of paperwork, waiting, and hope. During that time, I couldn’t even tell my closest friends we were planning to leave. Eventually, we lived in two different countries for a year each before finally arriving in the United States.
But our journey was not without moments of deep fear. While in Switzerland, strangers burst into our hotel room, packed our bags, and forced us into a dark van. We were put on a plane headed back to Iran.
My mother, in her broken English, pleaded with the pilot, explaining that if we returned, our lives would be in danger because of our religion and the way we had left. By what I can only call a miracle, the plane stopped before takeoff.
That moment left an imprint I carry to this day. It taught me the fragility of safety, the priceless value of freedom, and the importance of having a voice when everything is at stake.
“Having lived as someone whose religion and identity were restricted, I came to see that diversity is about who is in the room, but equity is about whether people like us are allowed to walk through the door in the first place.”
Finding Belonging in a New World
When we finally arrived in the United States, I was grateful—but I also faced culture shock and language barriers. At times, I felt invisible. Those struggles taught me a powerful lesson: being present in a space is not the same as belonging there.
As the fifth of six children, I often stepped into the role of peacemaker at home. Over time, those lessons grew into bigger questions: Why do people fight over differences? Why do we allow them to divide us instead of using them to strengthen us?
These questions became my compass, guiding me to study negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. In turning personal struggle into professional purpose, I began to see that my story wasn’t just survival; it was preparation.
Mediation as the Work of My Life
When I discovered mediation, it felt like everything in my life had prepared me for it. Mediation is not just about solving problems. It is about helping people listen, respect differences, and find common ground even when they disagree.
Over the years, I have volunteered in courthouses across California, supported families in their hardest times, and connected with mediators around the world.
What I love most is that mediation doesn’t hand people the answers. It creates a safe space where they can discover solutions themselves.
My personal story shapes how I show up as a mediator, but it also keeps me humble. It reminds me to keep learning, to notice blind spots, and to always hold space for every voice in the room.
Contact Balakhane Mediation
If you are going through conflict and want a process that honors your story and respects your voice, mediation may be the right path for you.
At Balakhane Mediation, we walk with you through your challenges with fairness, compassion, and respect.
Call Leyla Balakhane today at (424) 235-4173 to learn how mediation can support you and your family.