Director, Lana Media Group​

Media & Communications Expert, Lead Trainer

Norma Lana has trained thousands of high-level professionals worldwide in how to deliver a succinct message on-camera and how to present information in an engaging, powerful way.

Norma envisioned and created Citigroup’s first worldwide video presence on its investment-banking website, providing on-camera training and establishing content that set it apart from other global bank websites. Prior to that, she was the managing editor of the fixed-income publishing group at Citigroup, where she focused on helping analysts compose research that highlighted analysis and conclusions for investors.

Norma has extensive experience as an on-camera interviewer from trading floors to conferences to boardrooms across the globe. She has a background as a journalist, a news writer, and a promo announcer for several networks including PBS, NBC, and Discovery, and has recorded numerous books on tape and commercials as a voice-over artist.

She has worked extensively with CEOs, managing directors, buy and sell-side analysts, engineers, salespeople, and other professionals to help shape and perfect their prose and message.

Norma has also taught her unique training protocol for recording and broadcasting strong videos and webcasts at several banking and private firms.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a master’s degree from The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

President, West End Productions

Video and Media Expert

Jodi Daley specializes in imaging, branding, and events for Fortune 500 Companies such as Pfizer, American Express, MasterCard, GE Capital, CCS Medical, and Odyssey Health Care.

She has been a speechwriter and a media trainer for senior executives for more than 20 years. She served as a news writer, producer, and director for ABC, NBC, PBS, and CNN, as well as print corporations such as Hearst, TIME Inc., Prentice Hall, and Scholastic.

Jodi holds a master’s degree in Mass Communications from Temple University and two undergraduate degrees in Speech Communication Theory and Practice, as well as a theatre degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

See www.westendproductionsny.com for more on Jodi.

Director, The Write Effect

Lynn Kearney has consulted on communication and organizational issues with private and public institutions for more than 25 years. In 1986, she established The Write Effect, a communications firm based in New York City. She has worked in a wide range of industries: finance, technology, media, pharmaceuticals, public utilities, and engineering consultant firms. She consults both domestically and abroad designing and delivering writing, speaking, and listening workshops for a variety of global firms. In addition to training, Dr. Kearney edits research publications for financial audiences.

Dr. Kearney has worked extensively with financial research groups, including sell and buy side firms. She has created and conducted workshops that focus on increasing the clarity of financial analysis and helping analysts and associates to write and speak more productively and confidently. Much of Dr. Kearney’s work takes place in locations where English is not a native language, and she has developed specific skills for these professionals to become more effective when communicating in English.

Dr. Kearney completed her Ph.D. at New York University with a concentration in composition and rhetoric and served as a consultant for the NYU Expository Writing Center. She served as an adjunct assistant professor at New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business for over 10 years, where she was on the faculty of the Management Communication Program. The program stresses critical communication techniques needed to manage both personal and corporate communication in a diverse environment.

Dr. Kearney's articles have appeared in newspapers and professional journals, and she has presented papers at conferences throughout the United States. She brings to her work both theoretical knowledge of the most advanced research on communication and the practical experience of having helped businesses understand and process information.

See www.writeeffect.com for more info.

Improvisation Expert

Sheila has been practicing, teaching, and performing improvisation for 25 years. Corporate clients include Eli Lilly, FCB, AT&T, Unilever, PBS, and the Oxygen Network. She also participates in corporate brainstorming sessions with The Sound Research, a global consulting and qualitative research agency.

At Syracuse University, Sheila studied four years of the improvisation philosophies and games of Viola Spolin. After moving to NYC, she continued her study with the worldwide improv theater company TheaterSports, founded by Keith Johnstone. Sheila also studied long-form improvisation with UCB founder Amy Poehler.

Acting program and improvisation teaching credits include AMDA, Williamstown Theater Festival, ACTeen, Arts Genesis, and Theater for a New Audience. Sheila also taught improv as an artist in residence in NYC and Newark public schools and housing projects. She is a founding member of “The Heartless Floozies,” an improv and sketch-comedy group.

Director, Scorpio Research

Moderating Expert

Ilana Drucker has more than 20 years experience working in corporate communications and training. Ilana holds particular expertise in healthcare, education, and media, in addition to serving other industry sectors.

She conducts custom training programs in moderating, group facilitation, and qualitative research for clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to non-profit organizations. A professionally certified moderator, Ilana is recognized by clients and participants for her high energy and engaging training style.  

Ilana is also a senior-level consultant, providing communication services to inform clients’ branding, positioning, and public relations initiatives. These include research programs, brainstorming sessions, brand strategy workshops, and media presentations. 

She also possesses advanced experience in marketing research. Ilana has designed, directed, and fielded global research studies for clients such as: Mallinckrodt, GlaxoSmithKline, FDA, Computer Associates, Sony, Bertelsmann, Berlitz, Scholastic, AOL, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Polo, Tourneau, Banana Republic, Kraft, and Sara Lee Corporation.

Ilana served as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer in research and history for various academic institutions including New York University, Rutgers University, CUNY, University of Miami, and Barry University. She holds two graduate degrees in history from New York University, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum-Laude from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 

See www.ScorpioResearch.com for more info.