Eric Svaren
Principal, Groupsmith, Inc.

Eric Svaren is founder and principal of Groupsmith, a Seattle-based firm specializing in helping leaders and teams get traction—by facilitating change, clarifying strategy, strengthening trust, and improving communication. He helps individuals, teams and entire enterprises achieve breakthrough results. Eric is particularly known for his work in team rescue (intensive intervention with teams and groups of all sizes) and influence leadership.

A master facilitator, Eric also designs and facilitates retreats and off-sites, conflict resolution, teambuilding, regulation negotiation, and labor contract bargaining.

In addition to his consulting and facilitation work, Eric teaches mid-career professionals for the Cascade Center for Public Service and the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program both at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. He has developed unique workshops on Leading without Authority and Dangerous Decisions (how to involve people in decision making).

Clients include a wide array of companies, higher education institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and health care providers. Among them are the City of Seattle, Eddie Bauer, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Harborview Medical Center , Housing Development Consortium, Housing Resources Group, Johnson & Johnson, King County, Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA), Lifelong AIDS Alliance, NPower, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Port of Seattle, Seattle Housing Authority, The Seattle Public Library, Sound Transit, State of Washington, Teamsters Local 117, Unitus, University of Washington, Washington State University, Weyerhaeuser, and Woodland Park Zoo. He has also presented at dozens of conferences, such as the National Labor Management Conference, the Housing Washington conference, and the Public Sector Performance Conference.

Before launching Groupsmith in 2000, Svaren managed a joint labor-management program for the City of Seattle designed to increase employee participation in the improvement of service delivery. He also worked as a public policy analyst for Seattle city councilmember Tom Weeks and city departments, and as a human services planner for a regional nonprofit. He earned his Master’s Degree in organizational sociology and social psychology from the University of Washington.

Eric has served as board member and officer for several non-profit organizations. He was chair of curriculum and programs at Leadership Eastside and one of its founding instructors. He also provides pro bono services to non-profit organizations.

Eric lives with his wife, Alice Shobe, and their sons, Carl and Beck.

Click here for Eric's resume [  PDF ]