Senior Manager Strategy & Transformation in the Financial Services | Strategic Leadership Coach | Speaker | Mentor | Author | Helping professionals, leaders, and teams level up with purpose and impact.

Global Senior Manager with 15+ years' banking experience in areas of Enterprise Risk Management, Governance, Strategic Transformation Projects, and Change Management with a heavy focus on Executive Leadership Reporting. Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong relationships, influence others, and lead high performing teams that advance global priorities. 

Committed to continuous organization improvement, enhancing customer experience and delivering solutions to support strategic financial and business decision-making. 

As a persuasive communicator fluent in English and Spanish, I effectively engage with clients, regulators, stakeholders, management, and staff at all levels. My diverse background includes extensive experience in ERM frameworks, risk culture programs, control assessments, audits, capital structure optimization, and statistical modelling for risk management matters. Leader with a proven track record of leading large-scale projects, implementing change management strategies, and delivering cost savings through efficient project management methodologies.

Core competences include:
•Enterprise Risk Management •Governance & Compliance •Operational Risk •Internal Audit • Executive Leadership Reporting & Analytics •Project Management •Change Management •Data Risk •Model Risk •Strategic Risk •Coaching & Talent Development •SAS/SPSS/DWH •SharePoint & Power Apps •Power BI/Python/R •Copilot •Agile/ Waterfall •JIRA/Confluence •Six Sigma/Kaizen •Protiviti

Diana Lasso

Your skills won’t matter if no one wants to work with you.
Talent opens doors. 
Attitude decides how long you stay.

I’ve seen smart people get stuck because they resist change. 

And others rise fast because they:
➟ Adapt instead of complain
➟ Stay positive under pressure
➟ Stay curious and keep learning

A strong resume helps. 
But it’s not enough. 

What really sets you apart?
➟ A positive attitude builds trust.
➟ A growth mindset fuels progress.
➟ A team-first approach creates impact.

Skills can be taught. Mindset is a choice.

As Zig Ziglar said, "Your attitude, not your aptitude, 
will determine your altitude." 

Choose the one that moves you forward.

P.S. What mindset shift made the biggest difference in your career?

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Speaking your truth is easy.
Saying it at the right moment is leadership.

Managers value honesty.
Strategic Leaders value timing, context, and impact.

At work, what you say matters.
But how, when, and where you say it often matters more.
↳ It’s about creating clarity and trust.

As Winston Churchill once said:
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; 
Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

Here are 5 ways to stay authentic at work
while strengthening your credibility:

1- Share your perspective:
↳ Authenticity starts with honesty.
➟ Start opinions with “From my perspective…”:
“From my perspective, focusing on X may help us reach the goal faster.”

2- Be curious:
↳ Curiosity builds respect.
➟ Ask one question before sharing your view:
“Help me understand the reasoning behind this approach.”

3- Keep ideas simple:
↳ Clarity builds authority.
➟ Share ideas in two clear points:
“I see two options here. One for speed. One for long-term results.”

4- Raise concerns constructively:
↳ Authenticity can still be thoughtful.
➟ Pair every concern with one suggestion:
“I see a potential risk here. What if we try this alternative?”

5- Speak with intention:
↳ Purpose strengthens your message.
➟ State your intention:
“My intention is to help us move this forward.”

Awareness sharpens your voice.
Timing amplifies it.

When authenticity meets judgment,
people listen.

And that’s when your presence
starts shaping the room.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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The difference between giving feedback
and damaging someone’s self-esteem
Isn’t honesty. It’s how you frame it.

Most leaders think the goal is to be direct.
The real goal is to be constructive.

Average managers point out mistakes.
Strategic leaders protect dignity while raising standards.

At senior levels, performance doesn’t improve through pressure.
 ↳ It improves through psychological safety.

As Maya Angelou said:
“People will never forget how you made them feel.”

Competence is rarely the real issue.
Confidence often is.

When people feel attacked,
They defend.

When they feel respected,
They think.

Here are 5 smarter ways to give feedback
 without shrinking confidence:

1- Lead with facts:
 ↳ Data lowers emotion.
 ➟ “Last quarter your results were 10% below target.”
 ➟ Avoid: “You’re always behind.”
Facts create clarity. Tone creates safety.

2- Shift from accusation to exploration:
 ↳ “Why did you…?” triggers defense.
 ➟ Try: “Help me understand what happened.”
 ➟ Listen without interrupting.
Curiosity invites ownership.

3- Separate identity from outcome:
 ↳ Results are feedback. 
 ➟ Instead of: “You’re not strategic.”
 ➟ Say: “This decision increased costs by 10%. Let’s unpack it.”
Challenge the decision. Protect the person.

4- Make accountability concrete:
 ↳ “I’ll try harder” is comfort language.
 ➟ Ask: “What will you do differently next week?”
 ➟ “How will we track it?”
Specific commitments build confidence.

5- Offer support that empowers:
 ↳ Support should strengthen the capability.
 ➟ “What obstacles are in your way?”
 ➟ “What support would make this easier?”
Support plus ownership creates growth.

High standards and high self-esteem
are not opposites. They are partners.

When people feel safe,
They don’t play small.

They take responsibility.
They take initiative.
They take ownership.

That’s the win. Raise the bar.
Protect the person.
And build a team that grows stronger
Every time you have a hard conversation.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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Want to sound like a leader in every email you send?
Start with clarity.

Authority shows in communication:
➟ Short messages
➟ Clear direction
➟ Defined boundaries

Senior leaders write less.
Every word has purpose.

Strong communication builds trust.
Clear communication builds authority.

As Peter Drucker said:
 “The most important thing in communication
 is hearing what isn’t said.”

Here are 5 ways to communicate authority at work
while staying professional and respected:

1- Keep your message short:
 Short messages sound confident.
➟ Share the main point first.
➟ Use three sentences when possible.

Example:
 “Let’s move the meeting to Thursday.
 This gives us time to review the numbers.
 Please confirm availability.”

2- Use direct language:
 Firm words build credibility.
➟ Say what you recommend.
➟ Connect it to the result.

Example:
 “I recommend option B.
 It gets us closer to the deadline
 and keeps costs under control.”

3- Speak around the objective:
 Authority sounds focused.
➟ Bring the conversation back to the goal.
➟ Use words like goal, priority, outcome, impact.

Example:
 “Our priority is delivery this week.
 Which option gets us there faster?”

4- Give clear time boundaries:
 Respect for time shows leadership.
➟ Offer specific time frames.
➟ Let people choose within them.

Example:
 “I’m available 9–10 AM
 or 2–4 PM tomorrow.
 Please pick one.”

5- Finish with direction:
 Strong communication moves things forward.
➟ Close with the next step.
➟ Make the action clear.

Example:
 “Let’s proceed with this plan.
 I’ll send the update today.
 We review progress on Friday.”

Authority grows through consistency.
Consistency builds credibility.
Credibility strengthens your presence.

When your words are clear,
People feel confidence.

When your message has direction,
People follow naturally.

And that’s when your communication
starts carrying real authority.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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Believing that everyone else is born with confidence is a trap.
It’s a quiet lie we tell ourselves.
And it keeps us small.

No one is born confident.

Confidence is built:
→ Brick by brick
→ Moment by moment
→ Experience by experience

Behind every “confident” leader
There were shaky starts.
Missed words.
Doubts no one saw.

Your obstacles were not detours.
They were construction sites.
Every challenge you faced
and didn’t run from
added a layer.

Every failure?
Feedback.

Every win?
Confidence.

As Nelson Mandela said:
 “I learned that courage was 
not the absence of fear, 
but the triumph over it.”
That’s confidence.

Not the absence of fear.
But the decision to move anyway.

Don’t sell yourself short.
You are not starting from zero.

You are standing on years of growth,
lessons, resilience, and quiet courage.

Don’t sell yourself short,
Trust the process and believe in your potential!
The journey is YOURS! 

P.S. What advice would you give your younger self 
about building confidence?

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Visual: Janis Ozolins 🙏

If you need to win every argument,
you’re not ready to lead.

When you become the boss,
technical skills get you in the room.
Emotional skills determine how long you stay.

The leaders who rise
are not the ones who speak the most.
They are the ones who understand
when to speak
and when to pause.

Here are 5 ways to lead with influence:

1 — Listen actively:
Pause before responding.
→ Let people finish completely.
Composure strengthens authority.

2 — Context awareness:
Read the room before you read the data.
→ Ask: What does this room need right now?
Influence depends on timing.

3 — Ask before you assert:
Replace correction with curiosity.
→ “Walk me through your thinking.”
Questions lower defenses.

4 — Choose the bigger objective:
Before speaking, ask:
→ What outcome do I want this conversation to create?
Leaders prioritize impact over ego.

5 — Control the temperature:
Leaders regulate emotional intensity.
→ Lower your tone. Slow your pace.
The calmest nervous system often leads the room.

As Peter Drucker said:
“The most important thing in communication
is hearing what isn’t said.”

Leadership isn’t about perfection.
It’s about progress.

Sustained impact builds lasting careers.
Emotional intelligence makes it possible.

Influence lives in how you manage yourself.

Be the leader you wish you had.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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Getting promoted will change your relationships.
If you’re not ready for that, you’re not ready to lead.

When you grow,
→ Your title shifts
→ Your visibility increases
→ Your power becomes more noticeable

And that changes the room:
→ More exposure
→ More comparison
→ Less relational indulgence

The tension isn’t about your success.
It’s about what your success represents to others.

Growth activates identity.
And identity feels personal.

Here are 5 ways to grow without breaking relationships:

1- Grow in frame:
Clarify your new responsibility.
→ “My focus now is…”
Clarity builds security.

2- Elevate others as you rise:
Share credit generously.
→ Highlight team impact publicly.
Authority grows when others grow with you.

3- Anchor decisions in purpose:
Explain the function behind the move.
→ Connect actions to shared goals.
Purpose reduces friction.

4- Lead with warmth and structure:
Offer human connection.
→ Hold clear boundaries.
Stability builds trust.

5- Be intentional about who you grow around:
Seek peers aligned with your new level.
→ Expand your circle thoughtfully.
Alignment fuels sustainable growth.

As John Maxwell said:
“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”

Influence requires maturity.

Because the higher you rise,
the more your presence affects identity in others.

Leadership isn’t just about performance.
It’s about managing impact.

When you grow with structure, humanity, and clear boundaries,
You don’t end up alone. You elevate your ecosystem.

→ New peers
→ New alignment
→ New conversations

Growth doesn’t isolate you.
It refines who walks with you.

And that’s not a loss.
That’s leadership.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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If everything is a priority,
nothing really is!

Want to know why some people 
achieve more with less effort?

80% of your results come
from 20% of your actions.
The rest? It just keeps you busy.

The smartest leaders don’t work more hours.
They focus on what matters most.

Every “yes” is a trade-off:

↳ Say yes to high-impact work,
 and no to tasks that drain your energy.

↳ Say yes to actions that move the needle,
 and no to “urgent” distractions.

↳ Say yes to what fuels your vision,
 and no to everything else.

It’s not about managing time.
It’s about managing priorities.

As Stephen Covey said:
 "The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule,
 but to schedule your priorities."

Work on the 20% that brings the biggest impact.
Your energy, results, and happiness will thank you.

P.S. What’s the 20% you’ll focus on this week?

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She sat down
Tired eyes
Stable role

She looked at me and asked me:
“Diana… why do I feel behind if nothing is wrong?”

Maybe you’ve felt it too.
➟ Good pay
➟ Strong team
➟ Supportive boss
And still… flat.

Because safety and growth are not the same.

When work becomes predictable,
your brain stops stretching.
And when you stop stretching,
energy drops.

You’re not tired from pressure.
You’re tired from repetition.

Security can protect.
But comfort can quietly shrink you.

That’s why I created my 6-step GROWTH Formula
to turn stability into strategic leverage:

G — Gauge learning:
➟ What did you master this year?
➟ Is your value expanding?

R — Review autonomy:
➟ Do you influence decisions?
➟ Or mainly execute?

O — Observe curiosity:
➟ Are you asking new questions?
➟ Or repeating old answers?

W — Weigh your why"
➟ Are you here by choice?
➟ Or by fear?

T — Test your stretch:
➟ When did work last challenge you?
➟ Discomfort signals expansion.

H — Harness momentum:
➟ What small move would re-ignite growth?
➟ One conversation. One project. One risk.

Stability is a resource.
Not an identity.

As Peter Drucker said:
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Growth fuels confidence.
Progress fuels energy.
Movement fuels leadership.

You don’t change your life by changing your goals.
You change your life by changing who you are.

Strategic leadership starts with identity.
Become the leader your next level requires.

P.S. Which step resonated most with you?

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Use my 6-step GROWTH Formula by DL

The hardest shift in your career
is not effort. It’s perspective.

Many high performers start 
as excellent executors:
→ Fast
→ Trusted
→ Reliable

But leadership asks for something more.
It asks you to think at a different level.

As Michael Porter said:
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.”

Here are 5 practical ways that move you 
from Executor to Strategic Leader:

1- Create impact:
→ Multiply results through people and systems.
→ Measure success by collective outcomes.

2- Elevate the conversation:
→ Clarify why the work matters.
→ Connect tasks to direction.

3- Think beyond today:
→ Look at decisions through a longer horizon.
→ Consider the ripple effect of choices.

4- Focus on leverage:
→ Invest energy where it creates the most impact.
→ Small inputs. Big outcomes.

5- Lead with stewardship:
→ Treat responsibility as a privilege.
→ Make decisions that strengthen the team long term.

That’s when your work
stops being about output…

and starts shaping outcomes.

And that’s when your career
begins to create real impact.

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What distinguishes a Great Leaders?
It's not just about achieving targets or driving profits.
It's about standing up for your team!

To truly excel as a Leader, 
↳ You must protect your team from:
→ Negative stereotypes or biases
→ Blame for mistakes that aren't theirs
→ Office politics that undermine collaboration
→ Unreasonable workloads that lead to burnout
→ Misaligned priorities from upper management

It's your job to have your team's back, 
↳ Whether they see it or not:
→ Resolve conflicts quickly and respectfully
→ Shield them from unnecessary disruptions
→ Provide clarity when goals or expectations shift
→ Advocate for fair compensation and recognition
→ Create opportunities for growth and development

By standing up for your team,
↳ You amplify their voice and drive their success:
→ Innovation and creativity thrive
→ Engagement and morale increase
→ Results and performance improve
→ Loyalty to you as a leader deepens
→ Trust within the team grows stronger

Great Managers protect their people. 
Great Leaders empower them to succeed.

P.S. What else can you do to have your team's back?

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Stop Trying to Be Liked by Everyone.
Being nice to everyone
doesn’t set you free.

It makes you neutral.
And neutrality in a leadership role
is expensive.

Research from Harvard University
calls it the “false harmony” trap:
When teams avoid hard topics
to protect relationships,
they don’t build trust.
They build quiet distrust.

As Brené Brown says:
“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.”

Your team doesn’t need you agreeable.
They need you clear.

Here are 5 ways to stop being neutral
and start taking a position:

1- Listen. Then elevate:
→ Let key voices speak first.
→ Synthesize and define the direction.

2- Anchor to the objective:
→ Reference a metric, goal, or deadline.
→ Remove personal language. Focus on outcomes.

3- Close the loop:
→ Summarize the options out loud.
→ Clearly state the path forward.

4- Handle pushback with steadiness:
→ Acknowledge the concern briefly.
→ Restate your position calmly.

5- End with execution:
→ Define the next step before the meeting ends.
→ Assign timeline and ownership.

Clarity + Action = Leadership.

Trying to please everyone feels safe.
But it costs you credibility.

Neutral leaders create confusion.
Clear leaders create momentum.

Because in leadership,
kindness earns access.
Definition earns trust.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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The first impression isn’t what you say
It’s how your temperament shows up.

At work, it shows up in many ways:

1- The Driven – decisive and fast:
 ➟ Pause before reacting.
 ➟ Use “we” to bring others with you.

2- The Calm – steady and patient:
 ➟ Set clear boundaries.
 ➟ Let your stability shine in conflicts.

3- The Thoughtful – analytical and precise:
 ➟ Apply the 80/20 rule to avoid perfectionism.
 ➟ See feedback as information, not attack.

4- The Enthusiastic – energizing and social:
 ➟ Create simple systems to stay focused.
 ➟ Practice active listening to deepen impact.

5- The Visionary – creative and future-focused:
 ➟ Break big dreams into small steps.
 ➟ Stay grounded in today’s priorities.

As Maya Angelou said:
 “People will forget what you said,
But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

You don’t need to change your temperament.
You need to regulate it.
When your best side shows up,
People feel it.
And that’s what builds real leadership.

P.S. Which temperament feels most like you today?

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Being young at work is an advantage
when you know how to use it.

Energy is not the problem.
Ambition is not the problem.
The strategy is.

When you’re early in your career,
It’s tempting to prove.

→ To rush
→ To correct
→ To stand out

But influence doesn’t grow from noise.
It grows from stability.

Here are 5 ways to lead young and be trusted:

1- Be useful:
↳ What problem can I quietly solve this week?
↳ What process can I make simpler for everyone?
Utility builds power.

2- Speak to move things forward:
↳ Will this comment clarify or just showcase me?
↳ Can I summarize and propose the next step?
Order creates presence.

3- Build on what already works:
↳ What’s working that I can recognize first?
↳ How can my idea feel like progress?
Respect lowers defenses.

4- Make others look good:
↳ Who can I publicly credit today?
↳ How can my work make my manager’s life easier?
Allies gain influence faster.

5- Do the work. The rest follows:
↳ What measurable result can I show?
↳ Did I document the impact clearly?
Results create authority.

As Benjamin Franklin said:
“Well done is better than well said.”

Leading young is about being reliable.
When you stop trying to stand out,
and start making things better,
people start listening.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

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The day you stop resisting feedback
is the day your leadership accelerates.

He looked frustrated.
Not angry.
Just… tired.

He leaned back during our session and said:
“Diana… can I tell you something?”
“I hate feedback.”

Maybe you’ve felt that too:
➟ You care about your work
➟ You prepare more than anyone
➟ You hold yourself to high standards

So, when someone says:
“Can I give you some feedback?”
It doesn’t always feel like a gift.
It feels personal.

Your mind starts racing:
Did I miss something?
What could I have done better?

That reaction is human.
Because we take pride in our work.
But over time, the best leaders make a shift.

They realize something important:
Feedback is built on trust.

Someone cared enough
to share how your work lands on the other side.

Not to judge you.
To help you grow.

And when you approach feedback with an open mind,
it becomes one of the fastest ways to learn.

Use my 4-step GIFT formula 
to turn feedback into a growth advantage:

G — Get curious:
 ➟ Listen with openness.
 ➟ Ask: “Can you share an example?”

I — Identify the insight:
 ➟ Look for patterns.
 ➟ Feedback often reveals blind spots.

F — Focus on the opportunity:
 ➟ Growth rarely requires reinvention.
 ➟ Small adjustments create big progress.

T — Try a new approach:
 ➟ Apply the insight next time.
 ➟ Leadership grows through iteration.

Because feedback is not about your past.
It’s about expanding your future impact.

As Ken Blanchard said:
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”

The leaders who grow the fastest don’t wait for annual reviews:
➟ They ask
➟ They listen
➟ They improve

Build feedback conversations into your day-to-day.
Make it part of your leadership toolkit.
That’s when feedback becomes one of your greatest accelerators.

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Use my 4-step GIFT formula by DL

Ever tried to develop a new skill at work
and suddenly felt like the least capable person in the room?

You double-check your work.
You hesitate before speaking.
You feel a little out of place in the room.

And you wonder:
“Why does this suddenly feel so hard?”

Growth rarely feels comfortable.
It feels uncertain.

When you develop a new skill,
your brain is doing unfamiliar work.

→ New patterns
→ New thinking
→ New habits

That’s why it can feel clumsy at first.
But discomfort is not a warning sign.

It’s often a signal
that something important is happening.

Personal and professional growth
follow the same path:

First → Uncertainty
Then → Effort
Then → Progress

The mistake many people make
is stopping at the first stage.

They interpret difficulty as a problem.
But growth never happens in comfort.

It happens when you:

1- Try something new
↳ Even when you feel inexperienced.

2- Face uncertainty
↳ Without needing perfect clarity.

3- Stay consistent
↳ Even when progress feels slow.

Sometimes improvement
feels like getting worse first.

Because learning stretches you
before it strengthens you.

As Carol Dweck said:
“Becoming is better than being.”

That awkward stage you’re feeling?
It’s often the moment
your career is expanding.

Stay in the stretch long enough
and something powerful happens:

Capability becomes confidence.
Confidence becomes influence.
And influence is what opens the door
to the next level of leadership.

P.S. What skill are you building today
that your next role will require?

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Most teams are diverse.
Very few know how to use it.

Walk into almost any organization today, and you’ll see it:
→ Different cultures
→ Different experiences
→ Different backgrounds

Diversity is no longer rare.
But something else still is.
Inclusion.

Because diversity is who is in the room.
Inclusion is who feels comfortable speaking in the room.

And when people feel they belong,
something powerful happens:

→ Ideas expand
→ Perspectives challenge assumptions
→ Decisions get better

That’s why inclusion is not just a value.
It’s a leadership skill.

Here are 5 ways leaders turn diversity into real strength:

1- Be curious about perspectives:
 ↳ Whose voice haven’t we heard yet?
 ↳ What perspective could improve this decision?
 Curiosity expands thinking.

2- Create psychological safety:
 ↳ Do people feel comfortable challenging ideas?
 ↳ Do I respond with openness or defensiveness?
 Safety unlocks contribution.

3- Recognize uniqueness:
 ↳ What strengths does each person bring?
 ↳ How can I make those strengths visible?
 Recognition builds belonging.

4- Check your assumptions:
 ↳ Could bias be shaping this decision?
 ↳ Am I listening to understand?
 Awareness improves leadership.

5- Make space for contribution:
 ↳ Who might have an idea we haven’t heard?
 ↳ How can I bring more voices into the conversation?
 Inclusion drives performance.

When inclusion is real, diversity stops being a statistic.
It becomes a competitive advantage.

As Verna Myers said:
“Diversity is being invited to the party.
 Inclusion is being asked to dance.”

And when that happens,
teams don’t just become more inclusive.
They become smarter.

So, next time you’re in a meeting, 
try something simple:
→ Pause
→ Look around the room.
→ And ask: “Whose perspective are we missing?”

Sometimes one question
is all it takes to make people feel included.

P.S. What is one habit that helps you build a more inclusive team?

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Your biggest competition isn’t in the room.
It’s the hesitation inside you.

Not the colleague next to you.
Not the market.
Not the economy.

The quiet doubt that whispers:
“Maybe wait.”
“Maybe you’re not ready.”
“Maybe don’t push too much.”

Believing in yourself is a full-time job.
No days off.

Because this work isn’t in your contract.
But it determines how far your talent goes.

Self-belief isn’t loud confidence.
It’s internal steadiness.

It’s choosing not to let fear make executive decisions.

As Theodore Roosevelt said,
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

Here are 5 ways to treat belief like a daily practice:

1 — Interrupt the doubt loop:
→ Notice the negative script.
→ Replace it with one fact about your capability.

2 — Take one visible risk daily:
→ Share the idea.
→ Ask the bold question.

3 — Track internal wins:
→ Write down progress.
→ Celebrate efforts.

4 — Separate fear from truth:
→ Ask: Is this fact or insecurity?
→ Decide based on evidence.

5 — Stay consistent with yourself:
→ Show up even when confidence is low.
→ Act aligned with the leader you’re becoming.

When you decide to step into the arena,
something shifts:
→ Your posture strengthens.
→ Your voice carries differently.
→ Your presence expands without forcing it.

And one day, you’ll realize this:
The room didn’t change.
You did.

That’s leadership!

It begins the moment you decide
you are no longer negotiating with your potential.

Promotions don’t start on paper.
They start with identity.

And when you consistently back yourself,
The world begins to meet you at that level.

P.S. Which one resonates most with you right now?

♻️ Repost this to inspire others
➕ Need support? Send me a DM
🔔 Follow Diana Lasso for more Strategic Leadership Insights

You don’t have an execution problem.
You have an overthinking habit.

Let’s be real:
→ You’ve read the article
→ You’ve saved the quote
→ You’ve talked about the idea.
But the action? Still waiting.

That book?
↳ Highlighting like a pro.
Applying it? Not so much.

That change you keep thinking about?
It won’t happen in your head.
↳ It happens when you move.

Here’s the truth:
Thinking is safe. Doing is brave.

Success doesn’t come from knowing more.
It comes from doing more, especially before you feel ready.

As Peter Marshall said:
“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” 

So, today:
→ Send the email
→ Launch the idea
→ Schedule the meeting

Because movement builds confidence.
And clarity lives on the other side of action.

You don’t need more motivation.
You need one brave step.
And yes! you’ve got this. 💪

P.S. What small step would make you proud today?

♻️ Repost this to inspire others
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Visual: visualshustles🙏

Most leaders want better performance.
Very few know what actually creates it.

Look at almost any team:
 → People working
 → People trying
 → People waiting for feedback

And behaviour follows attention.
When leaders recognize what works,
 → Confidence grows
 → Motivation increases
 → Performance repeats itself

Because every person needs two things at work:
 → To feel valued
 → To feel part of something
Recognition gives both.

That’s why great leaders use reinforcement on purpose.

Here are 5 simple ways to strengthen behavior in your team:

1- Recognize in the moment:
→ Say it when it happens.
→ Immediate feedback builds momentum.

2- Be clear about what worked:
→ Name the action.
→ Clarity helps people repeat it.

3- Connect effort to impact:
→ Show how their work helped the team.
→ Meaning drives commitment.

4- Make recognition a habit:
→ Small words. Often.
→ Consistency builds culture.

5- Recognize yourself too:
→ Notice your progress.
→ Confidence grows with awareness.

When recognition becomes a habit,
performance stops depending on pressure…
and starts coming from commitment.

Sometimes all it takes is one sentence:
"Well done. That made a difference."

P.S. Which tip resonates with you the most today?

♻️ Repost this to inspire others
➕ Need support? Send me a DM
🔔 Follow Diana Lasso for more Strategic Leadership

Wife & Mother of 7 | Venture Capital | Scientist | TOP 30 Patent Drafters | United States Patent Examiner | Violinist | Polyglot | STEM Children's Author | #1 LinkedIn Global Influencer in Innovation/IP Law

Kathryn Vatt is a scientist, former USPTO Examiner, and devoted wife and mother of seven, with over 25 years shaping the future of innovation. Recognized as one of the Top 30 Patent Drafters and Prosecutors and the #1 LinkedIn Global Influencer in Innovation/IP Law, Kathryn has built a career at the intersection of science, law, and business—helping inventors, startups, and global companies turn creativity into competitive advantage.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S. Biology) and Johns Hopkins University (M.S. Biotechnology), Kathryn is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor in Patent Law at the Franklin Pierce School of Law, one of the world’s leading IP programs. Her rare cross-disciplinary background gives her both the scientific insight and the legal strategy to protect ideas at the highest level.

At the USPTO, Kathryn examined thousands of patent applications, conducted exhaustive prior art searches, and made determinations that shaped industries and influenced global innovation. After leaving the Patent Office, she founded Vatt IP Management, where she develops bulletproof IP strategies, drafts airtight applications, and supports litigation teams in defending patents. She also mentors engineering and life science students through Arizona State University’s Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute and judges international startup competitions, nurturing the next generation of innovators.

Her entrepreneurial vision extends to her ventures:

My Startup Shield™, a founder-focused program that helps startups secure their innovations before they pitch. It protects ideas at the earliest, most vulnerable stage and positions founders to raise capital with confidence

My AI Examiner™, the world’s first proprietary patent search platform that combines examiner-trained AI Patent Examiners with Kathryn’s own human review. Unlike conventional tools, it doesn’t just search faster—it “thinks like an examiner,” offering inventors and startups clarity, precision, and strategy.

MyKidVentors™, a STEM-inspired children’s book series born from her seven children’s real “What if?” questions. Through these imaginative stories, she nurtures curiosity in the next generation, showing that every big invention begins with a single question.

For Kathryn, the same motherly instinct that guides her family fuels her professional mission: to protect, guide, and nurture startups with care, strategy, foresight, and integrity. She believes innovation doesn’t just start in labs or boardrooms—it starts in the curious minds of those brave enough to ask, “What if?”

Kathryn V.

OREOS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

At a small neighborhood shop, a man quietly changes lives.

He gives free food to kids who show him their grades...a reward not just for doing well in school, but for trying, for caring, for showing up.

In this video, one young boy steps up to the counter, offered the chance to choose anything he wants.

Today, he picks milk, bread, eggs...and cookies for Mother’s Day.
And the shop owner...touched by that choice...adds a bouquet of flowers for him to bring home.

Neither of them realizes that what just happened will be remembered for years.
Because kindness like that doesn’t end at the counter...it multiplies.

Every act of generosity plants a seed:
A child whose confidence blooms.
A parent who feels seen and loved.
A community reminded that humanity still shines bright.

So here’s to the everyday heroes: the ones who lift others quietly, who give without expecting anything in return.

You may never see the full impact of your kindness...but someone’s world is brighter because of you. 


------
If you enjoy my posts please follow me:
Kathryn V.
VATT IP Management
My AI Examiner™
My Startup Shield™
https://lnkd.in/gAERstmz
https://lnkd.in/gmAS9P7Z
https://lnkd.in/gJyb28T8

Your Company ≠ Their Company

Startup culture is loud.

Announcements.
Rounds.
Launches.
Leaps.

And even the most confident founders feel it.
That quiet comparison.
“Should I be further by now?”
“Why does their growth look easier?”
“Am I missing something?”

But when you compare, you slowly lose sight of what’s yours to build.
And what’s yours was never meant to look like anyone else’s.

Different wiring.
Different gifts.
Different responsibilities.
Different seasons.

Some are drawn to bold, public momentum.
Others move with careful protection.
Some are compelled to disrupt.
Others feel called to preserve and strengthen.

None of it is accidental.
And none of it is a hierarchy.

But when you try to imitate someone else’s arc,
you drift from your own.

You trade alignment for applause.

At Founder Chapel, we care deeply about stewardship.

Stewarding your vision.
Stewarding your ownership.
Stewarding your influence.
Stewarding the people who trust you.

Because leadership isn’t about matching someone else’s leap.
It’s about faithfully tending what’s been placed in your hands.

That’s why we created Founder Chapel Learning Pods.
Small, steady circles where founders can step out of comparison and return to clarity...about their gifts, their values, and the kind of company they are called to build.

I’m deeply honored to be leading the pod focused on intellectual property and building your moat; helping founders protect what they’ve been entrusted with and think carefully about how they bring it into the market with integrity.

My incredible Founder Chapel family: David Y., Jay Jin, and Katrena Drake are leading pods of their own, each walking alongside founders through different pressures and seasons.

You don’t need someone else’s platform.
You need to steward your own.
And you don’t have to do that alone.

Come as you are.
We welcome you to apply here → https://lnkd.in/gM9xz6qk

FIRST TOGETHER


At Founder Chapel, we believe real leaders don’t climb alone.
They rise by lifting others.

In a world obsessed with rankings, valuations, and visibility, it’s easy to believe leadership means standing above everyone else. 

But the founders who build legacies understand something deeper:
Nothing meaningful is built alone.

Behind every breakthrough are unseen sacrifices, honest conversations, shared burdens, and people who stood steady when things felt uncertain.

True leadership isn’t about guarding the top spot.
It’s about making space on it.

Because titles fade.
Headlines move on.
Momentum comes and goes.

But character remains.
Stewardship remains.
The way you build...and who you build with...remains.

That’s why Founder Chapel exists.

Through our Learning Pods, founders gather not just to scale companies, but to sharpen judgment, strengthen conviction, and build with integrity alongside others who believe leadership is a responsibility, not a spotlight.

If you’re building something that matters and you want to build it with depth, wisdom, and community...we invite you to apply here → https://lnkd.in/gM9xz6qk

Founder Chapel: Build well. Lead faithfully. Rise together.
David Y. Jay Jin Katrena Drake

Three founders will leave my Arizona Tech Week event patent-pending.

We’re getting closer…

My Patent Pending Party™ at Arizona Tech Week (April 6–12) is coming up, and the response so far has been incredible. I’ve already had the chance to speak with some truly impressive founders and I’ve even started getting requests to bring the party to other cities 😊 

The event itself is shaping up to be something really special.

We’ll be hosting:
• A founder panel featuring raw, honest conversations about the entrepreneurial journey: the highs, the lows, the mistakes, and what founders would do differently knowing what they know now.

• An “Ask the Examiner” AMA session,  where you'll get to ask questions about patents, intellectual property strategy, and how the system actually works from an investor who spent fifteen years inside the U.S. Patent Office deciding which innovations got approved and which ones didn't. 

• A live patent hackathon, where three pre-selected founders will leave the party officially patent-pending. On me.

We’ll also have investors in the room, and we’ll end the evening with time for networking with founders, investors, and builders from across the ecosystem.

If you want a chance to be one of those three founders, there is still time to apply.

There are three Saturdays left this month, and I’m using those days to hold short 15-minute pitch sessions on Hubble.                                

The pitch session itself is the application process.

You get 15 minutes:
• 5 minutes to pitch what you’re building.
• 10 minutes for me to ask questions the way an investor with an IP strategist lens would.

From those conversations, I’ll select three founders to be invited to my Patent Pending Party™ during Arizona Tech Week.

And don’t worry...you don’t have to live in Arizona to apply.

If you’re selected, we’ll simply Zoom you in.

If you aren’t selected as one of the three, don’t worry.

You’ll either receive feedback on your pitch, or I may connect you with someone from my network of angels and VCs.

And you’re always welcome to come back and pitch again for the next party.

Ideas are everywhere.

Protected ideas are much more valuable.

If you want to pitch yours, you can book a Saturday slot here:
https://lnkd.in/g_jESdm3

Slots are limited.

Event details:
https://lnkd.in/g3dJgkzm


A special and heartfelt thank you to my sponsors, Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University and Stearns Bank N.A. This event wouldn’t be possible without your support.

Open article: RSVP to A Patent-Pending Party #AZTechWeek | Partiful by partiful.com

RSVP to A Patent-Pending Party #AZTechWeek | Partiful

I’m honored to be returning for the second year in a row as a judge for Pitch the Pros® on April 10th in Greenville, SC.

As a former United States Patent Examiner I have spent more than 25 years helping founders and inventors protect what they build.

And I have seen how often founders focus on perfecting the pitch, raising capital, and gaining traction...only to think about protection later while losing ownership rights in the process. 

That is why this year, I am proud to personally offer a Protection Prize to the Top 3 presenters through moatly™.

Each of the top founders will receive dedicated intellectual property strategy support to help ensure what they are creating is properly protected. Not just celebrated. Not just visible. Protected.

Pitch the Pros® brings together a select group of founders, investors, and industry experts in an intentional setting. 

Ten founders will pitch live. The top three will also be invited to a private VIP evening featuring a Fireside Chat and networking experience with Daymond John of Shark Tank, along with dinner and live entertainment.

If you are building something meaningful and ready to step forward, I would love to see you there.

You can learn more here:
https://lnkd.in/eZyx78ge
Christopher Guerrera LSSMBB The Modern Inventor

Looking forward to supporting the founders who take the stage and helping them protect what they have worked so hard to create.

More than a thousand years ago, an army approached the gates of a Persian fortress.

Warriors gathered. Fear spread through the walls.

And then something unexpected happened.

A young woman rode out to meet them.

Her name was Gordafarid.

In the great Persian epic Shahnameh, written by poet Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi, Gordafarid sees her homeland under threat. 

Warriors gather. 
Fear spreads through the fortress.
So she does something no one expected.

She fastens her armor.
Mounts her horse.
And rides into the battlefield herself.

Even her enemies were astonished. They had never seen such bravery from someone so young.

But Gordafarid was not written as a fragile figure or a symbol of tragedy. 

Ferdowsi portrayed her as a strategist as well as a warrior. When she realized she could not defeat her opponent by strength alone, she relied on her wit, delaying the enemy long enough to protect her people.

For many Iranians, Gordafarid has become a symbol of something timeless:
the courage of women.

Today, on International Women’s Day, I find myself thinking about that courage. 

Not just in ancient stories, but in the lives of women all around us.

Women who stand up.
Women who speak out.
Women who lead.
Women who lift others even when the path is difficult.

Because women have always done this.

One woman opens a door.
Another holds it open.
Another widens the path so others can walk through it.

We all rise when we lift each other.

Today I want to honor women everywhere.

And I want to dedicate this day especially to the women of Iran whose courage continues to inspire the world.

Your courage has reminded the world that the strength of women is one of the most powerful forces on earth.

Across centuries, from Gordafarid’s battlefield to the voices we hear today, one truth remains:

The courage of women cannot be extinguished.

Happy International Women's Day to all of the amazing women in the world 💐

DOLPHINS IN THE DESERT 🐬🌵

Today is the day, Arizona!!

I am so excited to be serving as a panelist and workshop speaker for Dolphin Tank with Springboard Enterprises.

For more than two decades, Springboard has been accelerating women-led, high growth companies with an extraordinary track record:

850+ portfolio companies
$36.4B+ in value created
225+ exits
26 IPOs

And today, Dolphin Tank is happening at Grand Canyon University.

This is not your average pitch event.
It is a true launchpad. Women founders receive real time, thoughtful feedback from investors and operators who genuinely care about growth, strategy, and long term success.

I am honored to join an incredible panel and lead a special session during the Founder Workshop from 3-5 PM focused on protecting what you are building before you pitch, scale, or raise.

Joining me on the panel:
• Mitzi Krockover, MD, CEO, Founder, Investor at WomanCentered and Women’s Health Council Member at Springboard Enterprises
• Azin Radsan van Alebeek, Co founder and General Partner at Emmeline Ventures
• Rory Bidinger, Community Development Officer at Stearns Bank N.A.

If you are a founder, investor, operator, or supporter of women entrepreneurs, this is where you should be.

And Arizona…it is not too late.
🔗 Dolphin Tank RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eQDSywgq

🦾 Founder Workshop (3 to 5 PM): https://lnkd.in/ei4XZGSW

Come support the founders who are bravely stepping forward to pitch what they are building.

There is something powerful about watching vision meet opportunity in real time.

Proud to support this right here in Arizona. 🌵🐬

There is something defining about walking into a room and realizing you may be the only woman there and deciding that you belong anyway.

I have felt that in government spaces. In investor meetings. In high level technical discussions. In rooms where expertise is tested before it is trusted.

What I have learned is this. Leadership is not about blending in. It is about standing grounded in who you are, even when the room was not designed with you in mind.

My path began internationally, where at 21 I cofounded a company in Pakistan and learned firsthand that leadership is rarely about position and always about responsibility, requiring conviction, cultural awareness, and resilience. I later served as a United States Patent Examiner, and went on to found and lead my own firm, invest in innovation, mentor founders, and raise seven children. 

Each chapter has shaped how I understand leadership, not as authority, but as stewardship.

As Women’s History Month begins, I am honored to join a panel at The New York Public Library on March 4th for a conversation on growth and leadership alongside remarkable women whose journeys are equally layered and powerful.

We will be speaking candidly about what it truly takes to build influence, the pivots, the pressure, the persistence, and the quiet strength behind the scenes that rarely gets highlighted.

If you are building something, a company, a career, a life, while trying to remain fully yourself, this conversation is for you.

Grateful to James Corry for creating space for this meaningful dialogue and for bringing together such an inspiring group of women. I look forward to sitting alongside Christina Mitine, Laura Kavanagh, Olga Alcaraz, and Rechelle Balanzat for this important conversation.

👉🏼 Join us this Wednesday: https://lnkd.in/gtz_23Eu

Sr. GTM Leader at AWS | Head of GTM at Women in AI | Agentic AI Strategy & Digital Transformation | Industry Speaker

I know what it feels like to be the only woman in the room. If you’ve ever navigated climbing the leadership ladder while authentically showing up, this conversation is for you.

As Women’s History Month begins, I’m honored to be a panelist for “Five Powerful Women: Their Journeys of Growth and Leadership” on March 4th hosted by The New York Public Library.   

I’m joining four resilient women to share our career journeys and dive into the real grit required to build influence in both the corporate and government sectors.

Huge thank you to James Corry for hosting this important conversation! See you soon, Kathryn V., Laura Kavanagh, Olga Alcaraz, Rechelle Balanzat. 

👉🏼 Join us this Wednesday: https://lnkd.in/gtz_23Eu

#WHM2026 #WomensHistoryMonth #LeadingTheChange #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #WomenInTech #NYPL #Leadership

Open article: Five Powerful Women: Their Journeys of Growth and Leadership by nypl.org

Five Powerful Women: Their Journeys of Growth and Leadership

Founders: if you are fundraising, you do not want to miss this event.

And if you can, make sure you are in Bettina’s room.

I am not just saying that because she is one of my dearest friends. Bettina is truly one of the most thoughtful, caring, and brilliant investors I know.

The level of care and intention she brings to every founder conversation is rare. 

She listens deeply, asks the questions that actually matter, and shows up for founders long before there is ever a deal on the table.

That kind of stewardship is something special in venture. 💛

Silicon Valley Angel Investor (Pre-Seed) + LP | AI + FinTech + DeepTech + B2B SaaS + Sports Media + CPG | Ex-GoPro + Semiconductors | Hubble Advisor + Boardy Deal Partner + Incubator Mentor | Skiing + BucketHat Lover

Are you #FundRaising?  Come join me, along with 100+ other VCs, Angels, FO's

I'm hosting a networking room at the VC Virtual Conf on March 31 hosted by Max Pog.    There will be 40+ breakout rooms & 6 hours of VC networking & insights.

If you’re interested in joining the discussion
Register here:   https://vcconf.com?172

See you on the 31st... 
I'll probably be the only one in a #BucketHat

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The Battle

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