The Art of Negotiation and Persuasion
With Subject Matter Experts
Laura Maasdam, Co-Founder, Sixth Wing
Matt Sitter, CEO, AFN
Join us for a special fireside chat with Matt Sitter and Laura Maasdam as they explore the intersection of negotiation, persuasion, and leadership.
Drawing from her experience at Sixth Wing, Laura will share why negotiation is both an art and a science, grounded in building relationships and guided by interest-based dialogue.
Matt and Laura will discuss the common pitfalls that often derail high-stakes conversations, practical tactics for navigating tough negotiations, and the power of adapting your approach to different persuasion styles.
Whether leading a team, managing up, or influencing across an organization, this conversation will offer valuable insights to help you become a more effective negotiator and communicator.
The session will conclude with an open Q&A.
Laura Maasdam
Executive coach, facilitator & negotiation education specialist Laura Maasdam is an executive coach and noted negotiation, communication, and persuasion facilitator. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, she is a founding partner of Sixth Wing LLC.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Laura served for 12 years as a Navy helicopter pilot and instructor pilot, flying the CH-46 Sea Knight and the SH-60F Sea Hawk, also known as the Black Hawk. She was deployed throughout the Middle East multiple times to support OEF & OIF.
Upon leaving the military, she received her MPA from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she focused on Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Performance Leadership.
Before co-founding Sixth Wing, Laura was the lead presenter and educator for McChrystal Group in Old Town Alexandria, VA. There, she taught organizations to adapt and win in today’s rapidly changing operating environment.
Prior to joining the McChrystal Group, she was the lead Negotiator and trainer for The SAB Group in Cambridge, MA, where she specialized in conflict resolution, senior leadership development, and effective communication in negotiations.
For Laura, leadership is a discipline - an intentional practice of questioning, learning, and growing that never stops.
As an executive coach, Laura draws on her business experience and unique leadership experience in the military to develop Sixth Wing’s strengths-based coaching model. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation.
Co-Founder, Sixth Wing
Matt Sitter
Matt Sitter is a passionate believer in the power of networks to innovate and realize new opportunities. His career has focused on helping leaders grow, succeed, and to mobilize their teams, organizations, and networks.
Matt’s work has spanned a broad array of industries including Healthcare, Technology, Real Estate Investment, Consumer Products, and Finance (amongst others). He has worked with multiple Fortune 500 executive teams, Private Equity firms, startups, and everything in between.
In addition to his role at AFN, Matt is currently a partner at the Advisory Services firm, Advantary. His experience includes leadership roles at The McChrystal Group, CrossLead, Inc., and MedLever. He has led multiple functions including Product Management, Marketing, Reimbursement, and Product Development.
Matt is a certified Executive Coach, completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University and received his MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. He is a proud father and husband.
CEO, AFN
