Diane O'Connell

Diane O'Connell is a keynote speaker, workplace culture reinvention strategist, and founder and CEO of "Sorting It Out," an organization focused on transforming business approaches to mental health, belonging, and wellbeing. O'Connell built her career over 18 years practicing internal business development law and risk management, serving as an international negotiations attorney and mediator before a personal experience shifted her professional direction.

After being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, O'Connell began to examine the stigma surrounding mental illness and its impact on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Following her termination from a previous position prior to her diagnosis being fully understood, she redirected her career to help organizations and individuals better understand mental health conditions and their influence on workplace culture.

Through "Sorting It Out," O'Connell applies her expertise as a negotiator, mediator, and attorney to assist organizations in reinventing wellbeing benefits and fostering cultures of inclusion. She demonstrates the business case for prioritizing mental health, wellbeing, and belonging, showing how these factors can reduce risk, improve profitability, and support ESG, CSR, and DEI reporting. Her keynote, "The Power of Individuality," encourages organizations to redesign benefits programs to support individuality and prioritize mental wellness, with the goal of increasing productivity and decreasing organizational risk.

O'Connell is a Certified Mental Health First Aider, career coach, and speaker dedicated to eliminating implicit bias and stigmas that hinder open conversations about mental health in the workplace. She holds leadership roles in the New York State Bar Association, is a Stability Network Leader, is listed on the InsideOut Leaderboard, and is active in the Mindful Business Charter and Wellbeing at Work Global. O'Connell is an advocate for mental wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion, with numerous published articles on these topics. Her openness about her mental health journey, combined with her legal and risk management background, positions her as a knowledgeable resource for leaders and organizations seeking to build inclusive and supportive workplaces.