Dean Benard is a visionary leader in the fields of investigations, mediation, and conflict resolution. With over three decades of experience, he has established himself as a trusted authority in regulatory and workplace investigations, handling some of the most high-profile and complex cases in the industry. Dean has been speaking about and advocating for knowledge sharing around Generative AI and its related technological impacts.

As the Founder and CEO of Benard + Associates, Dean has grown the company from a one-person operation to a thriving team of over 20 professionals. Under his leadership, the firm recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, a testament to its continued success and impact in the investigations and conflict resolution space. Dean’s ability to guide his team while maintaining client-centered solutions has been pivotal in the company’s long-term growth. A large part of this success has been related to leveraging technology for investigations and understanding the impact of technology in relation to the issues being investigated.

He developed an online education platform that is setting a new standard for investigations training, offering dynamic, industry-leading courses that blend practical knowledge with innovative learning techniques. Dean is a passionate educator. He regularly offers workshops and seminars on topics such as workplace harassment, trauma informed investigations, and communications, helping to advance the field of investigations. He is an author, a content creator for the company’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms. Dean’s commitment to excellence and innovation, combined with his dedication to mentorship, continues to make him a respected figure in the investigations community and a trusted advisor to clients seeking effective, tailored solutions.