Calvin Chrustie

Calvin is a strategic advisory consultant specializing in the human factor in crisis management, a proven strategist, negotiator coach and conflict mitigator.  He is driven to create dynamic solutions for his clients.  Calvin is recognized globally for his strategic approach in developing solutions that focus on the 'human element', often in high stake and risk environments.  His work has taken him into corporate boardrooms; embassies, war zones, and government offices on all 5 continents.  

Calvin has spent over three decades working in some of the worlds most volatile settings and dealing with some of the most difficult individuals and groups.   Before consulting, he spent several decades with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in various investigative, crisis management, national security and intelligence roles.  He retired as a Senior Operations Officer with two leadership roles; as the Officer in Charge of Federal and Serious Organized - Major Projects Branch, targeting transnational organized crime networks.  He also held the position as the Team Leader of Canada’s International Negotiation Group, responding to the kidnappings of Canadians globally.  He had previously been seconded to the United Nations where he assumed specialized roles in kidnappings, POW and body exchanges in war settings.  Calvin held various leadership roles as a ‘hostage negotiator’ for over two decades including working with foreign governments, NORAD, special forces, risk firms and corporations.   He is a graduate of the FBI’s Hostage Negotiation Program and Scotland Yards Hostage Course.   As a result of his experience, Calvin was seconded to the federal government for several years where he coached leaders and executives on managing high-risk community conflicts, including violent clashes between governments, communities, corporations and indigenous groups.   Calvin was often relied upon to 'troubleshoot’ emerging crises that were high profile, involved media, multiple stakeholders, security and safety.  His strategic approaches to problem-solving in crises gained him a reputation that resulted in him being called upon within Canada and by foreign governments.  

Calvin holds a BA in Justice, BA (honours) in Law, and a Masters of Law (LLM) in Dispute Resolution and Negotiations.   He has held numerous advisory positions with universities in related fields of security, conflict, and negotiations.   

In 2017, Calvin transitioned from his career with government into the private sector as a consultant working with an array of clients, including but not limited to; law firms, risk companies, C Suites, Board of Directors, high net-worth clients, Royal Families, corporations, executives, NGO’s, families, security agencies, etc.   He currently is the Director of the Security Advisory Group for Project Seshat, a global 'think tank’ on Hybrid Warfare and Negotiations.  The group is focused on building capacity for future lawyers and business leaders in the field of negotiations to meet the challenges of a more adversarial world. Calvin has and continues to lecture at various universities in law, business, technical departments in the area of negotiations and security.  In recent years, due to Calvin's distinct background in the 'human element', his clients now include cybersecurity professionals and responding to threats.   In 2020, Calvin graduated from Harvard’s University’s executive program on Cyber Security.   

As a result of Calvin’s expertise, he is currently working with several risks and consulting firms in the area of crisis management, negotiations, risk and conflict management.  His work continues to include high-stake crisis management settings and his services are described on the following page with a heavy emphasis on managing the human element.   He currently resides in Vancouver Canada and provides his clients confidentiality, privacy and discretion.