Scott Tillema

SWAT Crisis Negotiator | FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator | Expert in High-Stakes Communication.
Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized FBI-trained hostage negotiator, SWAT crisis negotiator, and senior law enforcement leader with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes communication. He completed negotiation training through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and holds degrees in behavioral science and forensic psychology. His insights have reached global audiences through his TEDx talk on negotiation- viewed over 1 million times - and features in Newsweek and at Harvard events. Known for his calm authority and real-world insight, Scott helps organizations improve communication when it matters most, drawing from experience forged in crisis and sharpened in the nation’s top negotiation programs.
KEYNOTE TOPICS
•Communication and Connection: Insights from a Hostage Negotiator
•The Four Pillars of Negotiation: A Framework for Influence
•Leading Under Pressure: Decision-Making When It Matters Most
•Building Trust Fast: Lessons from Hostage Negotiation