Pamela Barnum

Pamela Barnum, M.P.A., J.D., is a trust strategist and body language expert with experience in law enforcement and the legal system. Barnum began her career as a police officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, where she worked in major case management, wiretap investigations, and undercover operations. She was the only woman working undercover in a Drug Enforcement Section of more than 90 specialized officers, conducting hundreds of drug buys ranging from street-level transactions to six-figure purchases. These experiences provided Barnum with practical expertise in trust-building and nonverbal communication.

After graduating from law school while working as a full-time undercover officer, Barnum transitioned to a role as a federal prosecuting attorney. She worked at the Barrie Crown Attorney's office and later with the Federal Crown, specializing in prosecuting drug dealers. Her time in the courtroom further developed her skills in trust strategy and body language analysis. Following a 20-year career in the criminal justice system, Barnum pursued graduate studies in corporate negotiations as part of her Master of Public Administration degree, integrating her law enforcement background with organizational communication.

Barnum is a keynote speaker and educator, presenting to audiences in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally, both in person and virtually. Her TEDx Talks, "What Drug Dealers Taught Me About Trust" and "How Empathy Empowered an Undercover Cop," have been viewed extensively and are recognized for their insights on persuasion and communication. Barnum is a co-host on the television series "Building Bad" and is a featured expert in print media, radio, and television news programs in Canada and the United States.

Barnum delivers keynotes, workshops, and seminars on negotiation, influence, and nonverbal communication, including her frameworks "Crack the Code: 3D Negotiation Strategies for Powerful Results" and "Tactical Influence: The Art of Persuasion." Her methods are based on practical experience from undercover work and legal proceedings. Barnum's background in law enforcement, legal expertise, and communication science positions her as a leading authority on trust, influence, and nonverbal communication in the professional speaking industry.