Chris is a former Lead FBI Negotiator and dynamic speaker who debunks the biggest myths of negotiation. Chris engages all groups with captivating stories , insights and useful tips for business and everyday life.

Trained by the FBI, Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School, Chris has lectured on negotiation at business schools across the country and has been seen on ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News .Chris has also been featured in Forbes, Time, Fast Company, and Inc. Chris's Keynotes are based on his book Never Split The Difference©.

Derek Gaunt, with 29 years of law enforcement experience, spent 20 years leading hostage negotiation teams in the Washington, DC area. A subject-matter expert in hostage negotiation and incident command, he frequently speaks at national conferences.

He trains organizations worldwide to apply these principles in business. His engaging presentations focus on understanding human behavior and navigating difficult conversations, helping leaders improve communication and organizational performance. Derek's expertise has transformed how leaders approach negotiations and interpersonal interactions.

Troy Smith, a Police officer with 23 years of service, specialized in SWAT, Crisis Negotiation, and the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Task Force. He was involved in more than 300 hostage negotiations, including 270 as a lead negotiator. He never lost any of them.

Now a Negotiation Instructor at Black Swan Group, Troy is passionate about helping young people enhance their communication skills. His extensive experience in law enforcement and crisis negotiations, combined with a warm, approachable demeanor, makes him an asset in training and coaching clients.

Sandy Hein, a Negotiation Instructor and Coach at The Black Swan Group, has over 23 years of law enforcement experience, including 10 years as a hostage negotiator. She also served as a certified instructor with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and taught at the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.

Since retiring in 2012, Sandy has taught criminal justice, authored books, and trained law enforcement in areas like crisis intervention and hostage negotiation. At The Black Swan Group, she brings her passion for teaching, helping clients improve communication using the Black Swan Method™.

Nick Peluso, Lead Instructor at Black Swan, specializes in corporate training and coaching across various industries. With extensive experience in business development and team management, he guides clients in identifying effective training strategies and also serves as Black Swan's lead sales coach, contributing to the development of training programs.

Joining in 2021 as a Business Development Representative, he was quickly promoted to Director of Business Development in 2022, focusing on team management, growth strategies, and improving client training outcomes, leveraging his diverse background to support both Black Swan Group and its clients.

Don Fieselman is an instructor and coach at The Black Swan Group, with over 25 years of experience as a police officer. He specialized in investigations, including juvenile prostitution, organized crime, and sex crimes, and served as a sergeant and assistant team leader for the LVMPD Crisis Negotiation Team.

Don is also a licensed private investigator and a cold-case homicide investigator. He integrates Black Swan techniques into his investigative work and training, helping others master negotiation skills to improve their careers and lives.

Dennis Flynn is a Negotiation Instructor and Coach at The Black Swan Group, with 35 years of law enforcement experience. He served 30 years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), retiring as lieutenant of the Robbery Section and leading the hostage negotiation team for 10 years.

Dennis responded to over 1,000 hostage, barricade, and suicidal incidents, earning two Unit Medals of Valor and three Meritorious Service Awards. After retiring from LVMPD, he continued his career in Colorado. Dennis is passionate about teaching and has authored Held Hostage - Negotiating Life and Death. He joined Black Swan in 2022, sharing his expertise to enhance communication skills.

Marcella Oakley, an instructor and coach at The Black Swan Group, brings a diverse background in law enforcement and real estate. As a former detective and hostage negotiator in Washington, D.C., she specialized in investigating sensitive crimes, including those against children.

In 2013, Marcella transitioned to real estate, leveraging her negotiation and consulting skills to become a top producer in the Northern Virginia area. Her team has received multiple accolades, including recognition by Arlington Magazine, Washingtonian, and DC Luxury Magazine. In addition to her professional work, Marcella is actively involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and enjoys spending time with her family.

Jorge Gayle, an Instructor and Coach at The Black Swan Group since February 2023, brings over 20 years of experience in supply chain management, real estate, and aircraft technical operations. During his two-decade career at JetBlue Airways, where he ultimately led procurement, Jorge used Black Swan negotiation techniques to save millions and build strong business partnerships. 

He also authored From JetWho to JetBlue, outlining the airline's culture and success. After founding his coaching company in 2018, he now helps families and entrepreneurs with negotiations and investments. Jorge is passionate about community service, family, and exploring diverse cultures through travel.

Joan Cai is a dynamic Negotiation Instructor and Coach at The Black Swan Group, renowned for her strategic mindset and relentless drive. With an entrepreneurial background in the competitive medical device industry spanning Copenhagen and Xiamen, Joan equips clients with battle-tested strategies that ensure not just winning but winning big. A champion of the Black Swan Method™, she empowers others to push boundaries, refuse mediocrity, and achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Outside of the negotiation arena, Joan embraces a life full of joy and challenge. An avid traveler, reader, cook, and gardener, she also proves her resilience through feats like completing three triathlons, including the 70.3 Ironman. Whether in work or play, Joan embodies excellence and inspires those around her to aim higher and achieve more.

Jonathan B. Smith is an accomplished author, business strategist, and Black Swan Negotiation Instructor and Coach. As a seasoned Expert EOS Implementer®, he has coached over 125 high-growth companies through more than 1,000 sessions, driving business development and team success. A former Wall Street professional turned entrepreneur, Jonathan founded companies like Peak Placement and ChiefOptimizer, helping businesses scale to millions in revenue while strengthening their operations.

In 2015, he published Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, a guide to strategic planning and profitability. Passionate about building collaborative teams and achieving goals, Jonathan integrates empathy-driven negotiation skills into his coaching. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, dog training, and flying as a licensed Commercial Pilot.