Hidden Gems: Meet Dawn Kuhlman of M.A.R.C.H. Inc. Mediation Achieving Results for Children

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Kuhlman

Hi Dawn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A Journey of Growth and Healing: My Story

In 2002, I graduated with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, filled with a sense of accomplishment but unsure of my next steps. The path forward seemed unclear as I worked at K-Mart, flipping through the classifieds in the local newspaper and searching for an opportunity to use my education. After a year of persistence, I landed a job at the Clay County Court—a role that would unknowingly set the stage for the rest of my career.

From 2003 to 2012, I dedicated myself to teaching court-ordered co-parenting classes and mediating cases. It was challenging but rewarding work, as I helped families navigate the complexities of separation and conflict. Yet, I felt there was more I could offer, and in 2012, I took a leap of faith by starting my own LLC.

Through my business, I provided court-connected services for families, including mediation, parent conflict coaching, and supervised visitation. I also began offering mediation training to professionals. Around this time, my personal life took a transformative turn. After being diagnosed with Complex Trauma, I embarked on an intensive therapeutic journey to rewire my brain and heal. Reading The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk was a pivotal moment, helping me understand the deep connections between trauma and behavior.

As I worked through my own healing, I noticed striking parallels between my journey and the struggles faced by the families I served. Many of them grappled with emotion regulation and unresolved trauma, which inspired me to develop a Trauma Informed Mediation model. This model not only changed the way I approached my work but also became a powerful tool for other professionals. Sharing this model through a TEDx Talk and with audiences around the world has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.

In 2019, a new chapter began when I became the Executive Director of MARCH Inc. (Mediation Achieving Results for Children), a Missouri-wide nonprofit. At MARCH, we provide free supervised visitation, mediation, and legal services to families involved in child support services cases. Over the past five years, we have experienced extraordinary growth, quadrupling our budget, staff, contract providers, and the number of families we serve. What started as a vision has grown into a reality, impacting countless lives across the state.

Looking back, my journey has been nothing short of a miracle. From uncertain beginnings to a life filled with purpose, I’ve learned the value of resilience, empathy, and the power of healing. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, but I’m even more excited for what lies ahead as I continue to advocate for families and professionals navigating conflict and trauma.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Struggles of Change
Change is never easy and leading a transformation at MARCH Inc. was no exception. While I’ve always believed in the power of innovation and new ideas, I quickly learned that changing systems and getting staff invested in a new vision is a complex and often difficult process.

Change brings challenges—internal conflicts, blurred roles, endless process discussions, and, inevitably, staff turnover. These struggles were not only time-consuming, but also emotionally draining. There were moments when it felt like progress came at a high cost.

Yet, these struggles taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance. They reminded me that meaningful change requires patience, trust, and a willingness to work through discomfort. Despite the challenges, each step forward brought us closer to building an organization that could truly serve families in need and operate in the 21st century.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
MARCH Inc is a Missouri-wide nonprofit organization that provides free supervised visitation, mediation and limited legal services to families in Missouri with a child support services case. It’s the only organization of its kind in the nation, and its mission is vital: helping families resolve conflicts and maintain meaningful relationships in the face of difficult circumstances. We contract with nearly 100 providers across the state of MO. What makes MARCH Inc. so impactful is its proven results. Research shows that nearly 70% of families using our mediation services reach an agreement—a testament to the effectiveness of our approach.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-Taking: The Heart of My Journey
My life has been defined by risks. Each step forward required courage and faith in the unknown. I have a handwritten note on my vision board that says “Pray for a miracle.” I took a pretty big risk in 2019 when I assumed the role of Executive Director at MARCH Inc. for a nonprofit on the brink of collapse. For a salary of just $10,000 in my first year, I poured everything I had—my ideas, energy, and resources—into breathing new life into the organization.

The first three to four years were a whirlwind of infrastructure building and reinvention. The office needed renovations and the organization was drowning in outdated systems. We acquired a cloud-based data management system and transitioned the entire operation to a paperless model. We secured new funding, rebranded to reflect a fresh vision, and focused on assembling a team of people who not only believed in the mission but also shared my determination to make it thrive.

Trusting myself was perhaps the biggest risk. There were moments of doubt, but I knew that with every improvement, we were laying the foundation for something greater. Today, the transformation of MARCH Inc. is a testament to the power of risk-taking, resilience, and unwavering belief in a vision.

Pricing:

• free supervised visitation
• free mediation
• free limited legal services

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marchmediation.org
• Instagram: @mediatewithmarch
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marchmediation
• LinkedIn: helping humankind podcast at helpinghumankind.org
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@m.a.r.c.h.mediation1862
• Other: tik tok @mediatewithmarch