Areas of Experience

Pete Swanson brings over 39 years of experience in conflict management, mediation, and organizational change, spanning 25 countries and more than 60 public agencies. As Senior Partner at Impact Associates and former Director and Chief Practitioner of the Office of Conflict Management and Prevention at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, he has led transformative initiatives across government, international, and nonprofit sectors. Pete designed and directed the Conflict Management Professional Program, advancing mediator competency nationwide, and has guided large-scale change efforts from tribal governance to intelligence agencies and global development institutions.

Renowned for blending systems design with human-centered leadership, Pete helps organizations move beyond dispute resolution to lasting alignment, trust, and resilience. His work has included advising governments on mediation systems in Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Afghanistan, and coaching senior leaders across the U.S. Executive Branch. A certified change management practitioner and leadership coach, Pete’s approach combines strategic insight, deep empathy, and decades of cross-cultural experience—helping clients navigate conflict as a catalyst for growth and transformation.