Keynote Speakers

Diane Darling is a consultant, keynote speaker, and author who helps leaders and organizations strengthen their results through authentic relationship-building and consistent follow-up. Over the past two decades, her practical frameworks have guided professionals to shift from “one-and-done” conversations to creating trust that lasts.

Her bestselling book, The Networking Survival Guide – translated into multiple languages – established her as a trusted voice in the field of human connection. Her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and The Washington Post. Diane has spoken for institutions such as the Harvard Kennedy School, the U.S. State Department, and organizations including Bank of America, Fidelity, and Google, where she equips people with realistic strategies they can apply immediately.

Known for her candor, humor, and actionable insights, Diane draws on her own experiences – living internationally, overcoming shyness, and learning to navigate rooms where she knew no one – to show audiences that success is not about collecting contacts but about cultivating trust. Today, she continues to teach leaders, teams, and organizations how to keep opportunities alive, strengthen client and colleague relationships, and create long-term impact.

Micah is COO and Founding Team Member of Kojo, the industry-leading construction procurement platform that’s raised $84m to date from leading VC and industry partners. Kojo brings the pen-and-paper world of materials procurement into the 21st century, by streamlining the way materials are planned for, ordered, and paid for, reducing costs and saving valuable field time.

Micah started his career as a manager on Ray Dalio’s team at Bridgewater Associates. He is an alumnus of Yale College.