Welcome!

Diane is the embodiment of contradictions:

• An introvert who teaches networking skills (the people kind).
• A small town girl from college towns in the Midwest and Colorado who has traveled to all seven continents and about 60 countries.
• A college educated, published author in 7 languages who lived in the YWCA and she found herself deeply in debt after a business failure and family difficulties. Four years later she is happily a home owner!

In 2003 Diane realized she needed to make a difficult decision. Reluctant to declare bankruptcy but facing significant debt after a business failure significantly due to 9/11, she gave up her apartment.

In 2006 after some less-than-sane living situations, she quietly moved into the YWCA. She focused on paying off the debt and getting back on her feet.

"At the recent Intersection 2.0 Leadership gathering that I hosted, Diane Darling was a huge hit.  She wove together elements of her personal story with principles of networking that were very practical and that resonated with the audience.  Her presentations engendered lots of interesting discussion, and were among the highlights of the weekend."

                - Dr. Al Chase, Founder, White Rhino Partners

In July 2010 she purchased her first home!!! Yippie!!! There are two reasons she'll move again - she's wearing a toe tag or she meets an amazing guy! :-)

Diane hosted a "house blessing" on 10/10/10 and is slowly settling in. She welcomes your thoughts on what home means to you.

On March 6, 2009 she shared her story with the world. She knew it was going to be in the paper - she didn't know it was going to be on the front page!

She woke up that morning to learn she shared the front page of the Boston Globe with the President of the United States. He was above the fold, she was below sharing her story of resilience and challenges.

Here's a link to a PDF copy of the article ...

As a speaker she inspires others to face their challenges and regroup despite today's economy.

In addition to her speaking about debt, resilience, and entrepreneurship, Diane is a sought after speaker about networking. Her books are published by McGraw-Hill and are translated into 7 languages.

People skills are essential in today’s economy. Without the ability to inspire, motivate, and engage others, even the most brilliant person will hit a wall. (While we all hope they do not do it literally, sometimes it sure seems that way.)

As a speaker and author, Diane Darling humorously shares her insights and techniques that can be immediately implemented helping people succeed.

"Anyway you look at it, other people are your greatest resource. Diane Darling's in-depth, easy-to-follow instructions will fill your life with opportunities to meet these people and reap the rewards."

Nicholas Boothman, Author of How to Make People Like you in 90 Seconds or Less and How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less

"Networking is my secret weapon, and I mean both kinds. I've built my career on the technologies of networking computers - Ethernet, Internet - but I would still be a voice crying in the wilderness had I not learned the technologies of networking people. I learned networking the hard way, at one gruesome party after another. You can learn it the easy way with Diane Darling's book."

Bob Metcalfe - Ethernet inventor, 3Com founder, InfoWorld columnist, and Polaris partner

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. Antarctica and Thailand are her favorites.

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

For the latest updates and musings, click here to read my blog > > > Diane's Blog

Diane has appeared on NBC Nightly News, in Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and The Boston Globe. She is also a guest columnist for the Boston Business Journal. Here are some other press clippings.

Clients include: • American Bar Association • American Cancer Society • Association of Fundraising Professionals • Bank of America • Black MBA Association • Boston Chamber of Commerce • Canadian Consulate • Cisco Systems • Ernst & Young • Fidelity Investments • Gillette • Genzyme • Harvard Business School • Infosys • Latino Professional Network • Liberty Mutual • MIT Sloan School of Mgmt • Motorola • NE Holistic Chamber • Stanford Alumni Association • Sun Microsystems • Tuck - Dartmouth • Twentieth Century Fox • Verizon • Young Presidents Organization • Women's Bond Club

Links to other people named ... Diane Darling • Real estate broker in Boston • Minister in Seattle • Retail professional in Miami • Instructional designer in Philly • Writer in San Francisco • Whitney Houston fan club • Acne specialist • Tampa, FL