IAI partners with Zellman Group to advance interview training

The International Association of Interviewers has formed a professional partnership with the Zellman Group to support ethical, evidence-based interviewing and expand training resources for investigators across public and private sectors. The move underscores growing demand for certification, professional development and practical tools in a fast-changing evidence environment.

Why it matters: - The partnership is meant to strengthen training and professional standards for people who conduct interviews and investigations. - The collaboration supports more access to education, certification and practical resources for professionals who need accurate and reliable information. - IAI says the Certified Forensic Interviewer program helps organizations build stronger teams and make better decisions in a fast-moving environment shaped by digital evidence and changing risks.

What happened: - The International Association of Interviewers announced a professional partnership with the Zellman Group on July 10, 2026. - The agreement links IAI’s education and certification mission with Zellman Group’s work in loss prevention and investigations. - David Lund, executive director of IAI, welcomed the Zellman Group as a professional partner. - Stuart Levine, CEO of the Zellman Group, said the partnership aligns with both organizations' missions.

The details: - The Zellman Group will support IAI’s mission to educate, connect and advance professionals who conduct interviews and investigations in the public and private sectors. - The partnership reinforces continued professional development, certification and access to practical resources. - IAI’s Certified Forensic Interviewer designation is presented as a recognized standard of professionalism and applied expertise. - IAI says its focus includes rigorous education, ethical standards and continuous practitioner development. - Levine said the IAI offers members free webinars, elite training days, educational opportunities and networking. - The Zellman Group describes itself as a loss-prevention services and consulting firm serving retail, hospitality and food-service clients. - The firm combines advanced analytics, exception-based reporting and expert investigations in its asset-protection work. - Levine is identified as founder, president and CEO of the Zellman Group and as a CFI and CFCI. - Michael Ira Asen serves as chief counsel and brings more than 41 years of legal experience in criminal investigations, trial law and civil litigation. - IAI said its mission includes advancing the interview and interrogation profession through education, networking and professional certification. - The association’s certification offering includes the Certified Forensic Interviewer designation. - A LinkedIn page for Wicklander-Zulawski is listed in the release: Visit the company's social media.

Between the lines: - The partnership gives IAI another industry ally that can help broaden its reach with investigators, interviewers and organizational leaders. - For Zellman Group, the tie-up reinforces its positioning around training, compliance and professional credibility. - The release frames interview quality as a business issue, not just a technical skill, because better interviews can affect decisions, risk management and asset protection.

What's next: - IAI and the Zellman Group said they look forward to supporting professionals who conduct interviews with integrity, skill and accountability. - The partnership is likely to expand around training, networking and professional development programming. - Both organizations appear to be using the relationship to deepen their presence in certification-driven professional communities.

The bottom line: - IAI is using the Zellman Group partnership to extend its professional network and reinforce its case for certified, evidence-based interviewing.**