Soraya Darabi

As a renowned digital entrepreneur and pioneer in the social media landscape, Soraya Darabi is a leading authority on digital commerce and ways to apply new technologies to help foster efficiency, visibility and growth.

Darabi is the co-founder of Zady, which is among the first online retailers to seamlessly integrate commerce, rich media content and social media, providing customers with a truly dynamic shopping experience. Zady empowers customers to learn about the conscious consumer movement and purchase beautifully-constructed goods that are created with craftsmanship and artisanship – qualities that have been sacrificed in a world of cheap prices and fast production. In 2014, Zady was named by Fast Company as one of the top ten most innovative retail companies in the world as part of their annual Most Innovative Companies issue.

Darabi began her career as Manager of Digital Partnerships and Social Media at The New York Times, where she quickly established herself as a leading thought leader on today's ever-changing digital landscape. While at The New York Times, she positioned the global news leader on networks such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, partnered with startups large and small, and established award-winning campaigns. She was also tasked with teaching journalists and chief executives alike how to best use and leverage social media. Renowned Times columnist Nicholas Kristof credits Darabi as being "the only reason why he has [millions] of followers on Twitter."

Following her tenure at the Times, Darabi served as Product Lead for drop.io, a real-time online sharing, collaboration, and presentation service. She then went on to co-found the popular mobile application Foodspotting, named by Apple and Wired Magazine as an “app of the year” before being acquired by Open Table.

Recently featured on the cover of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” issue, and Brandweek’s “Hot Digital” issue, Darabi was also named one of Inc. Magazine's "30 Under 30," and included in AdAge’s “25 People in Media to Follow on Twitter.” In 2014, she received the honor of joining the World Economic Forum’s "Young Global Leaders." Her experience and success in identifying and leveraging the latest digital technologies make her an ideal speaker for organizations of all sizes that are looking for ways to help build sustainable growth in our new digital world.

Darabi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Georgetown University. Darabi can speak with Zady co-founder Maxine Bédat on their shared topics, including insights on participatory commerce, sustainability, and building an omni-channel brand.