Speaking, Training & Workshops

Speaking, Training & Workshops

Keynotes and learning experiences that build communication capability, leadership confidence, inclusion, and crisis readiness.

Inspiring, Practical, Evidence-Based Learning

Diana Degan, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, is an award‑winning communication leader, educator, and strategic advisor. She has been speaking at conferences and events for 29 years, delivering keynotes and workshops for local, community, national, industry, international, and student audiences. Her sessions are engaging, accessible, and grounded in real‑world, evidence‑informed practice.

Her sessions blend real‑world experience, award‑winning communication practice, and a calm, trusted presence that resonates with audiences. Whether speaking to executives, communication teams, students, or professional associations, Diana brings clarity, insight, and practical tools participants can use immediately.

Signature Speaking Topics

Strategic Communication & Leadership

Strategic communication is the foundation of effective leadership. Diana helps leaders communicate with clarity, build trust, and guide teams through change with purpose and confidence.

Topics include:

  • Leading with Clarity: Communication Strategies for Modern Leaders
  • Leading with Trust: Communication Strategies for Today’s Uncertain World
  • Leadership Communication That Builds Trust
  • The Leader as Communicator: What High-Performing Teams Need Now
  • Communicating Through Change and Uncertainty
  • Strategic Communication Planning for Impact
  • Evidence-Based Communication for Executive Decision-Makers

The Future of Work & Workplace Culture

Communication is at the heart of how organizations adapt, engage, and thrive in a changing world. Diana speaks on the evolving workplace and how leaders can build strong cultures, support hybrid teams, and communicate with clarity in times of uncertainty. These sessions draw on Diana’s award‑winning work in leadership communication, employee engagement, and change communication.

Topics include:

  • Communicating in a Hybrid World: What’s Changed and What Hasn’t
  • Building Culture Through Communication
  • Engaging Employees in Times of Change
  • Leading Distributed Teams with Clarity and Confidence
  • The Role of Communication in the Future of Work
  • Creating Connection and Belonging Across Distance
  • Supporting Employee Well‑Being Through Communication

Crisis Communications & Issues Management

Diana’s crisis and leadership communication work has earned multiple national and international awards.

  • Crisis Communication Essentials for Leaders
  • Issues Management: Staying Ahead of Emerging Risks
  • Leading with Calm: Communication in High‑Stakes Moments
  • Building Crisis‑Ready Teams and Organizations
  • Crisis-Ready: Building Organization Resilience Through Communications
  • Leading Through a Crisis: What Leaders Must Say (and Not Say)
  • Reputation at Risk: How to Protect Trust When It Matters Most

Media Relations & Storytelling

Her media relations and event‑based campaigns have been recognized with more than 30 national and international industry awards.

  • Creative Media Relations: What Works Today
  • Storytelling for Leaders
  • Communicating with Impact: Writing and Messaging That Resonate
  • How to Prepare for Media Interviews

Inclusive Communication & Accessibility

Diana brings a human‑centred, research‑informed approach to inclusive communication and accessibility — areas increasingly essential for modern organizations. Her teaching and advisory work in inclusive communication is grounded in years of experience supporting diverseaudiences.

Topics include:

  • Inclusive Communication: Principles, Practices & Pitfalls
  • Communicating with Empathy and Cultural Awareness
  • Accessibility in Communication: What Leaders Need to Know
  • Trauma‑Informed Communication for Teams and Organizations
  • Designing Communication That Reaches Everyone
  • Equity in Action: How Communication Shapes Belonging

Women, Leadership & Career Reinvention

Diana brings lived experience, leadership insight, and a deeply human perspective to topics that resonate with women at all stages of their careers.

Topics include:

  • Reinventing Your Career at Any Stage
  • Women in Leadership: Communication, Confidence & Influence
  • Navigating Change, Setbacks & New Beginnings
  • The Power of Storytelling in Personal and Professional Reinvention
  • Leading with Integrity and Resilience
  • Confidence, Credibility and the Power of Your Voice

AI Literacy for Communicators

Diana teaches practical, real‑world AI skills grounded in responsible use and human oversight.

  • AI Literacy for Communication Professionals
  • Prompt Engineering for Better Communication Outcomes
  • AI‑Assisted Research & Output Editing
  • When NOT to Use AI: Judgment, Ethics & Risk
  • Understanding AI’s Role in Crisis Communication and Leadership

Research Translation & Plain-Language Communication

Diana helps leaders and organizations turn complex, technical, or academic information into clear, accessible messages that resonate with non‑expert audiences. Her sessions focus on practical strategies for simplifying complexity, applying plain‑language principles, and communicating research in ways that support understanding and decision‑making.

  • Turning Complex Information into Clear, Actionable Messages
  • Plain‑Language Writing for Leaders and Teams
  • Communicating Research and Data to Non‑Expert Audiences

Workshops & Training Programs

Diana designs and delivers practical, engaging learning experiences that build communication capability across teams. Her workshops are grounded in real‑world practice and informed by award‑winning work in crisis communication, leadership communication, media relations, event planning, and inclusive communication.

Workshops can be delivered in‑person or virtually, and tailored to your organization’s needs.

Popular Workshops Include:

  • Crisis Communication Simulation Workshops
  • Media Interview Training
  • Leadership Communication Bootcamps
  • AI Literacy Workshops for Communicators
  • Inclusive Communication & Accessibility Training
  • Writing for Impact
  • Strategic Communication Planning
  • Research Translation & Plain‑Language Writing

Why Book Diana

Diana has been speaking at events for nearly three decades, including local, community, national, industry, international, and student conferences since 1997. Diana’s work has earned 36 industry awards across crisis communication, leadership communication, media relations, event planning, writing, and integrated communication strategy. She is an IABC Canada Master Communicator (MC) and an IABC Fellow, the association’s highest global honour.

Her sessions are known for being:

  • clear, practical, and immediately applicable
  • engaging and accessible for diverse audiences
  • grounded in evidence‑based practice
  • informed by award‑winning communication work
  • adaptable to your organization’s goals and context

She brings the unique combination of senior strategic advisory experience, academic teaching expertise, AI literacy, and inclusive communication leadership, making her an ideal speaker for modern communication challenges.

Speaking Formats

  • Keynotes
  • Conference sessions
  • Workshops (half‑day, full‑day, multi‑day)
  • Executive briefings
  • Guest lectures
  • Panel discussions
  • Virtual or in‑person delivery

Who Diana Works With

  • Executives and senior leaders
  • Communication teams
  • Crisis response teams
  • Higher‑education institutions
  • Nonprofit and public‑sector organizations
  • Professional associations
  • Corporate teams
  • Students and emerging professionals

Book Diana for Your Next Event

Let’s discuss your audience, goals, and how Diana can support your event with a keynote or workshop tailored to your needs.

Contact:

Diana Degan, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow

dianadeganassociates@rogers.com

 416‑871‑5420