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Our Team

We help our clients make distinctive, lasting, and substantial improvements in their lives.

Chris Voss speaking to a small group.

We Teach People How to Listen to Accomplish

Most negotiators will tell you that you have to settle for less to get what you want. Here at The Black Swan Group, we believe in something different.

Our CEO and founder says it best: Never Split the Difference. Through deep listening focused on genuine curiosity and active reciprocity, you can gather the information needed to achieve your desired outcomes and build success.

Chris Voss teaching a class.

How We Got Our Start

For years, Chris Voss, our founder and CEO, went head to head with some of the world’s most notorious criminals as the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator. He worked as a representative of the National Security Council’s Hostage Working Group and represented the United States as an expert in kidnapping negotiations at international conferences sponsored by the G8.

Since 2008, Chris and The Black Swan team have traveled the globe to share their knowledge and experience with others.

Meet the Team

Get to know the brains behind our operations. Our team consists of some of the most accomplished professionals in the field of tactical negotiations.

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Chris Voss

CEO and Founder

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Derek Gaunt

Expert Trainer, Coach, and Author

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Sandy Hein

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Troy Smith

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Dennis Flynn

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Don Fieselman

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

Marcella Oakley

Marcella Oakley

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Jorge Gayle

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Jonathan B. Smith

Negotiation Instructor and Coach

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Nick Peluso

Director of Business Development

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Chelsey Wyant

Director of Operations

Harness the Power of Tactical Empathy®

Better listening. Better questions. Better outcomes.

Questions? We're here to help.