
A direct conversation. That’s it.
Because sometimes you just need someone you can tell everything.
Hourly consultations · Private retainers · Written/voice advisory · NDAs signed
For as long as I can remember, people have had a tendency to tell me what they don’t tell other people. The worries behind the worries. The part of the story they have left out. What they really think, fear, suspect, want to do — or aren’t quite ready to admit even to themselves.
In 1993, I made a profession of being that person.
For more than three decades, I’ve been a private sounding board: a professional confidant.
I listen. I ask questions. I notice inconsistencies, assumptions and dynamics that may be difficult to see from inside the situation.
You make the decisions.
Business. Money. Leadership. Reputation. Relationships. Negotiations. Career decisions. Conflict. Opportunities. Something deeply personal. Something potentially public. Or simply something you haven’t told anyone else yet.
There is no required category.
People perfectly capable of making their own decisions who recognize that some decisions are too consequential, complicated or sensitive to think through alone.
Sometimes the person you would normally ask is part of the problem you’re trying to solve.
Consultation.
For a specific question, decision, opportunity, negotiation or issue you want to think through. Booked by the hour. No program, no required number of sessions, no need to turn one question into a six-month engagement. Bring me what you want to discuss.
Retainer.
For clients who want ongoing access before important decisions, not just after them. Depending on the engagement, this may include scheduled sessions, priority access, review of materials, meeting participation and communication between sessions. I intentionally maintain a limited retainer roster.
Written / Voice Advisory.
Not every question requires a meeting. Send me the details of a situation, a document, a message — anything you want a second opinion on before you respond, send, decide or act — and I’ll reply privately by written message or voice note.
Sometimes I ask questions. Sometimes I challenge something. Sometimes I recognize a pattern I’ve watched play out dozens of times before. Sometimes the most useful thing I can do is tell you: “I think you’re looking at the wrong problem.”
You aren’t simply buying time. You’re bringing nearly four decades of observation and pattern recognition into the room with you.
You’re getting temporary access to nearly four decades of accumulated experience, observation, relationships, mistakes, successes and pattern recognition. You’re borrowing my perspective for a while. Sometimes that’s all you need.
33+ years advising people through consequential personal and professional decisions · 400+ companies advised · 10,000+ investor/media meetings · Founder and former CEO of an IR/PR firm · NYSE/NASDAQ board clearance.
Learn more about Dian.
Hourly consultations • Private retainers • Written or voice advisory • NDAs signed
Confidentiality is fundamental to this work. Private advisory relationships are covered by written confidentiality agreements (NDA), with the additional protection of clergy-penitent privilege where applicable.



I haven’t told anyone this, but… For “The Perception Brief™,” I’m going to begin sharing a series of articles drawn from themes that have emerged through countless private conversations with clients over the years. There…

A Newsletter from The Perception Brief™ Series If there is one word that can separate a message that gets ignored from one that gets remembered, it may be this one: because. I cannot remember exactly…

A Newsletter from The Perception Brief™ Series Why I Dislike Texting—Especially for Business I received a text the other day that read: “Good Afternoon Dian, I hope all is well with you. Wanted to thank…

A Newsletter from The Perception Brief™ Series There are many reasons that telling the truth — or being as truthful as you possibly can, including in business situations — is the wise choice. I’m a…

A Newsletter from The Perception Brief™ Series If you want to raise money, your pitch deck is only half the job. The other half happens before you ever open the deck: The moment someone asks,…

The post highlights a common phenomenon where individuals quoted in media often gain credibility through visibility rather than actual expertise. It argues that many capable professionals remain overlooked due to a lack of public presence.…