Bios

Diane Darling - Author, Founder and CEO

As principal consultant for Effective Networking, Inc., she founded the company on the premise that everyone can learn to network, they just need to find their own style.

Combining interactive training, strategic planning and an exploration of the natural fears of networking, Darling demystifies the process by providing techniques that can be immediately implemented.

She has received rave reviews for her seminars and speeches and is increasingly sought after as an expert resource on the subject of networking.

McGraw-Hill commissioned her to write the definitive book on networking called The Networking Survival Guide which was published in April 2003 and went into a 2nd printing just 90 days after the book hit the shelves. The book has been translated into Korean and Taiwanese. In 2005, McGraw-Hill published her 2nd book, Networking for Career Success which has since been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and Thai.  

She has appeared on NBC Nightly News, in The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and The Boston Globe. She is a member of the CEO Club, Commonwealth Institute, Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA), and National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Darling is also a monthly columnist for the Boston Business Journal.

She has lived in the Philippines, Thailand, Colorado, Indiana, Alabama and now in Boston, MA. Her travels include all seven continents and approximately 60 countries.

Her hobbies include watching football, reading, and attempting to play tennis. In order to overcome her fear of public speaking, she took acting and standup comedy classes.

Diane's email is: Diane at EffectiveNetworking dot com

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Henrietta Gates

"Henri" is a business executive and entrepreneur whose professional track record is characterized by building new businesses or creating profitable turnarounds in industries ranging from cable television to travel.

For the past 2½ years, Ms. Gates has been the President of Navigant International/Boston, a $100 million travel management company which is a subsidiary of Navigant International, the second largest travel management company in the U.S. Under her leadership, the Navigant/Boston office went from being the worst performing office of the 33 companies within Navigant to one of the top 5 best performing offices.

Prior to joining Navigant, Gates was President and Owner of Moran Travel, which she sold to Navigant in 1999. She bought Moran in 1988 and during her 11 years as the owner and President, the business grew from $2 million to over $30 million in sales with a profit margin on net revenues of 27%, one of the highest in the industry.

As Director of Operations at American Cablesystems from 1985-1988, Gates was responsible for the planning, installation and marketing of cable TV in Cambridge, MA. Cambridge was considered one of the toughest markets in the country and under her leadership, they achieved an award-winning 50% penetration. Ms. Gates was honored with the national cable TV marketing award in 1987.

Earlier in her career, she started a private cable television business in Cincinnati, Ohio that she built, managed and sold at a substantial profit in 1985.

Henri Gates received her B.A. in Economics and Urban Studies from Wheaton College, and attended the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

Jerry M. Socol

Jerry Socol is an experienced senior executive with a strong history of success in the retail industry, having led a number of retailers to significant growth and accomplishments throughout his career.

Most recently, Mr. Socol held the position of Vice-President of Merchandising and Stores with Building #19, a chain of salvage and off-price retail stores based in Hingham, MA. Under his direction, the company experienced double-digit increases in revenues. Previously Mr. Socol was Chairman and CEO of BrandStamp, Inc., a company based in Cambridge , MA , which provided online registration for consumer products. Before joining BrandStamp, Mr. Socol was the chairman and CEO of Fun Designs, a manufacturer and marketer of seasonal products for children.

As President and CEO of J Baker, Inc., a retailer of shoes, work clothes and men's big and tall apparel, Mr. Socol oversaw the growth of the company from a $200 million to a $900+ million company during his tenure. He is also the former President, Chairman and CEO of Filene's Department Store. Under his leadership grew from a $300 million company to a $500 + million company. Mr. Socol also held high-level retail industry positions in other divisions of Federated Department Stores as well as at Marshall Field & Company of Chicago, IL. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from Indiana University .

In addition to his leadership roles in the retail industry, Mr. Socol is experienced as a volunteer and board member with organizations such as: Gear for Sports, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Jim my Fund Marathon Walk, Genesis Fund, Northeastern University , Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

Jennifer Potter-Brotman

Jennifer Potter-Brotman is a Principal with Humphrey Enterprises, a private equity investment firm. Our portfolio includes investments in the automotive, medical device, and fast food industries.

Prior to joining Humphrey Enterprises, Ms. Potter-Brotman was the President and CEO of The Forum Corporation, a leader in the corporate training and education. Over her 21 year tenure, she held many key leadership positions, including CEO of Forum Europe, COO of Forum, Head of Forum's core learning business, and EVP, Marketing, Product Development, and Strategy. During her tenure, revenues grew from $5 Million to $80 Million.

Ms. Potter-Brotman has a successful track record leading growing businesses, setting strategic direction, developing customers and markets globally, and leading and inspiring people. She has developed many multi-million dollar accounts, and acted as a senior resource to boards and senior management. Jennifer was particularly instrumental in the sale of Forum to Pearson Plc in July 2000 as the core platform company in the corporate training and education market.

Jennifer Potter-Brotman has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire, and attended the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD. She is a member of the Commonwealth Institute, serves on the Advisory Board for The National Center on Women and Aging at the Heller School/Brandeis University, and is a member of The Beaver Country Day School Corporation and Strategy Committee.

Sharon Whiteley

Sharon Whiteley is currently President and CEO of ThirdAge.com. She is a seasoned entrepreneur who has built several successful companies. She is a managing partner of 8 Wings enterprises, LLC, which consults with early-stage enterprises and budding entrepreneurs, and CMO of Giftcorp, a corporate-brand-building business.

She has served as President and CEO of Crimson Solutions, a technology firm serving the higher education marketplace; and President and Chief Creative Officer of Contemp Colors Inc., an international manufacturer of paper and party goods.

Before entering the consumer products sphere, Ms. Whiteley spent 12 years in the specialty retail shopping industry, where she made an impact through such innovations as the pushcart merchandising concept she created at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Ms. Whiteley has received many awards, including Women's Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2000) by the National Foundation of Women Legislators, the Business Women's Network and the Small Business Administration. Her board memberships include the National Foundation of Women Business Owners and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.