David Thompson, CFI

David Thompson, CFI, is the Chief Executive Officer of Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ) and an active instructor for the organization. As CEO, he leads the company’s strategic direction, oversees organizational performance, and guides the continued evolution of WZ’s mission, people, and programs. Dave is responsible for advancing WZ’s long-term vision while ensuring excellence in day-to-day operations, industry leadership, and the delivery of research-based investigative interviewing solutions that drive meaningful changes across the profession.

Prior to being named CEO, Dave served in key leadership roles at WZ, including VP of Operations and Director of Investigations. His practitioner experience spans managing and consulting on a wide range of investigations, from theft and fraud to sexual harassment and homicide, while also conducting interviews across both public and private sectors. Dave has designed and delivered customized training programs internationally, led live broadcast trainings, and presented keynote sessions at numerous industry events. He is an active member of the International Association of Interviewers (IAI) and regularly contributes blogs, video tips, and published articles in support of continued professional development within the investigative interviewing community.

David is a highly requested speaker who has presented customized training sessions to clients in both the private and public sectors. David has presented at public sector training sessions, including multiple Organized Crime Associations, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, New York State Office of Attorney Generals, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chicago Police Department, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, and multiple other local, state and federal agencies. David has also delivered domestic and international seminars for multiple Fortune 500 companies. He has presented at conferences hosted by the National Retail Federation, the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, multiple human resources associations, employment law firms, and academic institutions.

David has played an integral role in the ongoing evolution of content and innovative teaching methods. Incorporating both practitioner experience and research-based ideology, he has led the creation of numerous customized curriculums, including a major program for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, serving as the Deputy Program Manager. 

He has a passion for leading reform movements in the field of investigative interviewing to incorporate academic research into practical application. Through this dedication, David has collaborated with members of the academic community, advocacy groups, and other relevant partners to further the enhancement of interview and interrogation protocols throughout the U.S. In addition, he has contributed expert opinions for a variety of cases and was cited by the Federal Court of Appeals for his involvement on the topic of interview and interrogation. He has also provided consults on legislative propositions and served as a subject matter expert for reform efforts and case evaluations.

David attended Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Criminal Justice and continued his education at Arizona State University, earning a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology. David was a scholarship cadet of the Army ROTC program and a member of the New York State Army National Guard. He also served his community as a volunteer coach for Special Olympics. 

He takes pride in delivering training, providing guidance, and being an approachable resource for all clients. His engaging delivery of a presentation will have a lasting effect on the attendees' ability to apply the content in a practical setting.  

Host: Wicklander-Zulawski

Location: Registrants will be notified as soon as location is finalized. TBA Toronto, Ontario Canada Get Directions

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