Pamela Barnum

Pamela Barnum is a former undercover police officer in drug enforcement and a federal prosecuting attorney. While working in the justice system, she learned real-world techniques for building trust, negotiating with ease, and communicating with confidence.

As part of her Master of Public Administration degree, Pamela studied corporate negotiations. Now, she teaches others how to implement these techniques so they can negotiate better deals, increase influence, and build more trusting relationships.

Pamela Barnum shares her experience, research, and expertise with humor, honesty, and energy, blending actionable strategies with memorable stories. She is a popular two-time TEDx speaker, featured expert, and contributor to print, radio, and television news programs in Canada and the United States.

Travels from:

Calgary AB, Canada

Speaker Fee:

Fee info*The fee ranges indicated on this page are provided as a guide. Please keep in mind that if a speaker's price is indicated as a range, such as $20,000 - $30,000, it means that their charge is usually within that range. The fees charged for speakers are subject to revision. Fees may fluctuate according to a variety of circumstances, including the speaker's availability, scarcity, the length of the speech, customisation and the location of the event. Please reach out to us with the specifics of your event and requirements, and we will gladly supply you with a quotation.

$10,000 - $20,000

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About Keynote Speaker

Imagine what it would be like to live as a different person with a different name, identity, and background. For months, you’re living with a false identity, and your success depends on establishing trust with some of the most dangerous people imaginable. That’s precisely what Pamela Barnum did for years, working undercover in the Drug Enforcement Section as the only woman on a large team.

She learned real-world techniques to negotiate, influence, and inspire, with communication techniques usually reserved for covert operations.

After more than a decade of deep undercover work, Pamela left policing and accepted a position as a federal prosecuting attorney. She spent countless hours in the courtroom, perfecting her proficiency as a trust strategist and communications expert.

Following a successful 20-year career in the criminal justice system, Pamela studied corporate negotiations in graduate school. Now, she shares her expertise with others, teaching them how to improve their communication skills to increase trust inside corporations, associations, and law enforcement agencies.

Pamela delivers techniques once thought of as a “secret second language” that participants can begin using immediately. She shares her experience, research, and expertise with humor, candor, and energy, blending actionable strategies with memorable stories.

She is also a featured expert and contributor in print media, radio and television news programs in Canada and the United States. She has appeared in person in front of audiences ranging from 50 to 12,000 and on countless virtual stages. Pamela has delivered two TEDx talks garnering praise and interest from around the world.

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Keynote Speaker Topics

Pamela Barnum 2024 Keynote Topics & Outcomes

Crack the Code: 3D Communication Strategies for Powerful Results

Most of our communication is nonverbal, and we miss more than half of the conversation when we ignore what is not said. Learn the secret second language reserved for communication experts and law enforcement to communicate confidence, elevate influence, and improve negotiation outcomes.
• Display calm confidence and trustworthiness in every situation. Use nonverbal cues to regulate how others perceive you.
• Decode nonverbal cues with certainty. Understand their true intent, regardless of the words used, resulting in better-negotiated outcomes.
• Deliver results with greater accuracy using science-backed techniques. Confidently assess verbal and nonverbal misrepresentation indicators, bluffing, and lies in real time.

The Power of TRUST: A Blueprint for Excellence

Trust is in crisis, and earning trust has never been more imperative than it is now. Trust solves risk problems, improves culture, and increases innovation to prepare for an uncertain future. Master the five qualities that set trusted leaders apart from the rest:
• Transparent communication. Learn how to establish stability and security in times of uncertainty without overcommunicating or micromanaging.
• Respect for self and others. Discover how best to use emotional intelligence in life’s most challenging moments.
• Unimpeachable decisiveness. Learn proven strategies to take you from chaos to cohesion.
• Self-confidant communication cues that increase rapport and decrease conflict anywhere, anytime.
• Take charge tactfully and humbly. Discover how to inspire those around you to take risks and push beyond their self-imposed limits.

Tactical Influence: The Power of Trust

Influence is an essential element of leadership. Implement Tactical Influence to increase confidence, resilience, and trust, especially in the face of challenges.

Learn how to close the gap between intentions and impact, resulting in improved outcomes critical to success. Using techniques backed by research, discover the art of influence vital to long-term success.
• Leverage intentional communication cues for increased collaboration and improved negotiations. Learn the number one undercover technique that makes you five times as likely to close a deal even when all seems lost.
• Design a culture of trust to increase productivity, creativity, and happiness within the organization without spending more time or money.
• Fearlessly communicate confidence and maintain a strong executive presence in times of uncertainty. Use fear and doubt to supercharge insight and eliminate imposter syndrome.

"Our members are still talking about how much they enjoyed Pamela’s keynote. This was such a POWERFUL presentation that was loaded with application and insight. She is such a wonderful speaker with humour, stories, real tools and strategies that can be used immediately. I would recommend Pamela to anyone looking to master the art of tactical influence and understanding non-verbal communication."

L Ward