THE FOUNDER
MEET ALYSSA
Alyssa Bernhardt was inspired to create Harmonious Resolutions LLC as a result of her previous career experiences and studies in Conflict Management combined with her steadfast belief that life is too short not to be honest and true to yourself. A life embroiled in conflict is no life at all. As an enneagram 8, it is no surprise that Alyssa has always been a straight shooter with a strong inner drive. Anyone who knows her will likely say that she’s not one to avoid confrontation or be ‘more agreeable’ just because it’s the easier option.
Alyssa graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2009 with a B.A. in American Studies. She found great depth and value in a liberal arts education. Upon graduation, she turned her focus to a career in retail management. She has 8 years of retail leadership experience covering all areas of daily store operations.
A ‘conflict’ with a coworker ended her retail career and made Alyssa realize that people are very fearful of confrontation and conflict. This led her to dig deeper into the inner workings of conflict to better understand herself and others.
In 2016, Alyssa graduated from Lipscomb University’s Institute for Conflict Management with a M.A. in Conflict Management. In March 2019, she completed a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Alyssa is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and has a certificate in eLearning from the Association for Talent Development.
Alyssa is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 civil trained mediator with 40 hours of training and dozens of civil mediations under her belt. Furthermore, the civil mediations Alyssa conducted in conjunction with the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center and the Metro Nashville – Davidson County General Sessions Court helped her get an inside look at what drives conflict and what people desire to reach mutually beneficial resolutions.
After mediation training and real world mediation experience, Alyssa was trained to be a facilitator in group and business settings. She quickly realized that her past experience managing others in retail stores and her newfound knowledge of conflict resolution models and practices created the perfect business. As Alyssa says – this is her small effort to create world peace by managing one organizational conflict at a time.
In addition to business and group conflict resolution, Alyssa has a deep desire to understand the enneagram and its role in our lives. She teaches an introductory course to the enneagram which is perfect for those who have yet to type themselves (or are unsure of their type). She also desires to learn more about nonviolent communication and frequently works what she knows into her professional practice with conflict.
Beyond researching and executing alternative dispute resolution practices (and seeking world peace), Alyssa’s life’s work is to be politically active for social justice. She really loves writing (and decorating!) postcards for voters. Alyssa completed the Emerge TN candidate training bootcamp and has plans to run for office sometime in the future.
After 11 years in Nashville, Alyssa recently relocated to the last best place – Missoula, Montana. Alyssa is deeply invested in serving others thanks to her national service sorority. She has served on the Board of Directors of Omega Phi Alpha as well as other community organizations. She volunteers regularly at the Missoula Food Bank. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, close friends, and two dogs. She enjoys cooking, reading nonfiction and memoirs, traveling, camping, indoor rock climbing, and drinking chai lattes.