Susan MacConnell

Speaker Representative at Diversified Speaker Solutions

Member since September 2025

Leadership

Education: Northeastern University
Braintree, MA, USA

Biography

I never really fit in at big companies, and that’s probably my superpower. I’m a connector, not a climber. I launched a sales consulting firm over ten years ago because I was tired of watching business owners spin their wheels, thinking marketing was sales. (Spoiler: it’s not.)

I thrive on making intros that matter, giving referrals that lead to real growth, and showing others how to use networking as a tool, not a timesuck. If we’re connected, odds are I’ve got someone in my network you should meet.

As a speaker business development consultant for Vistage Speakers, I focus on maximizing the impact of every speaking engagement. Through strategic pre- and post-engagement business development, I ensure that every stage of your speaking opportunity is aligned with your goals, so you leave with more than applause; you leave with clients. My role is to help Vistage speakers capitalize on their powerful presentations and turn those opportunities into lasting business relationships.

Our speakers can wow your group, team, or employees with topics on Leadership, communications, culture, and more.
Julie Hutchinson
Stacee Mandeville
Doug Crowe
Michael Clegg (Clegg)
Mark Altman
Coach Laurie Schloff

With 20+ years in Outsourced Sales and Business Development across 16 industries, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the what-were-they-thinking. I’ve led sales teams, built prospecting strategies from scratch, and now help speakers, trainers, and consultants get booked more often—with less work.

We solve these challenges 💡

💡 LACK OF TIME 💡

➡️ To find qualified speaking opportunities

➡️ For timely outreach and follow-up to set up potential client meetings

➡️ To set up a reach-out series after an event or speaking program

➡️ To plan new programs

➡️ Effectively set up efficient travel

We help consultants, trainers, and Vistage speakers who are stretched thin, balancing client work, speaking engagements, and business growth. By creating a customized outreach plan, we help you find speaking opportunities that connect you with potential consulting and training partners.

This approach builds a sustainable business development system, freeing up your time and fostering long-term growth.

Event managers reach out to meet our high-quality speakers who customize their programs to your group's challenges and growth aspirations.

Please do what you do best, and let me do the rest!

Passion

Connecting people & Networking is my passion! Nothing is more thrilling than putting two people together that will benefit from each other either as a buyer & seller or referral partner. I have been called a super connector, matchmaker and more!

Best Story

In the past year I have connected many people I have met at networking events. I have helped people with new jobs/careers and new business. It made my day when three people I found new positions for called me to say thanks and how happy they were with their new career.

Example Talks

How To Organically Generate Leads on LinkedIn

I will share how you can use LinkedIn to land more individual clients and referral partners in less than an hour a day.

Once You Master These Steps ….

You will be able to fill your LinkedIn pipeline with 20-30 qualified leads every month (even if you have tried before)

You will be able to search, connect & message decision-makers who are your target clients

Efficiently gain connections that move into clients, and you’ll never Feel “Sales-y” or Pushy

WHO THIS IS FOR…

Professional’s dependent on networking events in the past that need to find quality new clients online

High-achieving professionals who don't think they have time for LinkedIn

Established professionals who want to take their LinkedIn lead generation strategy to the next level

Professionals that a need a custom, personalized LinkedIn plan

Linkedin profile tune up and prospecting workshop/training

This is an hour workshop where I cover everything that someone would need to use LinkedIn to its capability. The first part covered is the steps that are needed to make sure your Profile is optimally functioning to promote and attract new connections. The second part is how to use LinkedIn to prospect and attract referral partners, new clients and new business. I have many years of prospecting experience on LinkedIn and continually learn new ways to prospect by attending and watching many expert presentations.

Topics/Keywords

team leadership authentic leadership communications company culture leadership and personal development leadership and company culture internal communications ceo is a lonely spot stress reduction stress management corporate burnout corporate culture organizational cultures collective leadership to reinvent organizations vertical leadership development leading from the emerging future the future of leadership leadership collective leadership surprising tools for marketing that really work coping with stress stress less stress reset your stress burnout prevention burnout employee burnout stress burnout recovering from burnout
I am willing to travel more than 100 miles
Yes
Everything is negotiable

Best Story

In the past year I have connected many people I have met at networking events. I have helped people with new jobs/careers and new business. It made my day when three people I found new positions for called me to say thanks and how happy they were with their new career.

I am willing to travel more than 100 miles
Yes
Everything is negotiable

Example Talks

How To Organically Generate Leads on LinkedIn

I will share how you can use LinkedIn to land more individual clients and referral partners in less than an hour a day.

Once You Master These Steps ….

You will be able to fill your LinkedIn pipeline with 20-30 qualified leads every month (even if you have tried before)

You will be able to search, connect & message decision-makers who are your target clients

Efficiently gain connections that move into clients, and you’ll never Feel “Sales-y” or Pushy

WHO THIS IS FOR…

Professional’s dependent on networking events in the past that need to find quality new clients online

High-achieving professionals who don't think they have time for LinkedIn

Established professionals who want to take their LinkedIn lead generation strategy to the next level

Professionals that a need a custom, personalized LinkedIn plan

Linkedin profile tune up and prospecting workshop/training

This is an hour workshop where I cover everything that someone would need to use LinkedIn to its capability. The first part covered is the steps that are needed to make sure your Profile is optimally functioning to promote and attract new connections. The second part is how to use LinkedIn to prospect and attract referral partners, new clients and new business. I have many years of prospecting experience on LinkedIn and continually learn new ways to prospect by attending and watching many expert presentations.

Topics/Keywords

team leadership authentic leadership communications company culture leadership and personal development leadership and company culture internal communications ceo is a lonely spot stress reduction stress management corporate burnout corporate culture organizational cultures collective leadership to reinvent organizations vertical leadership development leading from the emerging future the future of leadership leadership collective leadership surprising tools for marketing that really work coping with stress stress less stress reset your stress burnout prevention burnout employee burnout stress burnout recovering from burnout