About

Expect the unexpected

We’re not a typical agency. We don’t have cookie-cutter products. Often, we find the solutions to seemingly intractable problems by re-framing them. We may recommend against adopting a new practice or technology you’re excited about. Our approach is to help you build your capacities for communication and learning and not to remain dependent on us.

Dr. Gayeski has over 40 years years of experience in bridging the rigorous approaches of academic research to the “real world” demands of business.

Clients come to us ​for our expertise in communications and learning when conventional approaches aren’t working, when a critical change is about to occur, or when they need unbiased assessment of internal resources or potential new technologies.

Custom workshops and keynotes
Custom research and solutions
Expert commentary and writing

Academic expertise

Dr. Diane Gayeski earned her Ph.D. in educational technology and leadership with a concentration in communications from the University of Maryland.

An accomplished scholar, practitioner and administrator, she led the Roy H. Park School of Communications as Dean for a decade, expanding enrollment to over 1600 and earning placement among the top 20 communications schools in the nation.

She continues her appointment as a tenured full Professor of Strategic Communications at Ithaca College.

Professional savvy

In 1980, the world beat a path to her door when Dr. Gayeski began experimenting with “interactive media”. Since then, she has led more than 300 consulting engagements, including:

– providing tools and workshops for organizations such as Sony, the US Navy, General Electric, Abbott Diagnostics and Cornell University to develop capacities in digital media and e-learning

– advising the CEOs of Guthrie Healthcare and the Raymond Corporation in their adoption of new strategies for organizational learning

– assisting WCNY Public Broadcasting and the North Central Chicago Library System to engage stakeholders to develop bold and inclusive strategic plans. ​

Public scholarship

Dr. Gayeski frequently provides expert commentary on emerging topics and trends such as artificial intelligence in higher education, and understanding the needs and styles of Gen-Z.

The author of 13 books and scores of articles, she is a frequent conference and internal workshop presenter.

Dr. Gayeski has been honored by several major professions for her leadership. She was named a Fellow by the International Association of Business Communicators and was given the Distinguished Professional Achievement award by the International Society for Performance Improvement.

Dr. Gayeski is the author of 13 books and scores of articles in academic and professional journals. Some of her publications include:

  • Gayeski, D. (2023). Using entertainment TV techniques to deliver effective online learning. Studies on Social and Education Sciences 2022. Monument, Colorado: International Society for Technology, Education and Science.
  • Gayeski, D. (2022). From sage on the stage to host with the most. In Strawser, M. (ed). Higher Education Implications for Teaching and Learning during COVID-19. Lexington Books.
  • Dashew, B., Gayeski, D. (2022). Instructional Design and Adult Learning Theory. In Belzer, A, and Dashew, B. Understanding the Adult Learner.  Sterling, VA: Stylus.
  • Gayeski, D. (2021). “Investments in External Communication” in P. Harris et al. (eds.), The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Interest Groups, Lobbying and Public Affairs. Palgrave. 1-13.
  • Gayeski, D. (2021). Investor Relations. In Gillis, T. (ed.) The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer. International Association of Business Communicators.
  • Gayeski, D. (2016) Managing the Communication Function.  San Francisco: International Association of Business Communicators. (Previous editions in 2007 and 2000).
  • Gayeski, D. (2005). Managing Learning and Communication as Business Assets. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
  • Hall.
  • Gayeski, D. (2002). Learning Unplugged: Using Mobile Technologies for Training and Performance Improvement. New York: AMACOM.
copy of Wall St Journal

The Wall Street Journal featured Dr. Gayeski’s work with the CEO of the Raymond Corporation, a leading manufacturer of forklift trucks. The company had been plagued by what they thought were problems with the customer training they were providing. The CEO wanted the helpline to stop ringing with customers’ problems repairing the vehicles, but Dr. Gayeski re-framed the problem and convinced them that they needed more collaboration with customers, not less!

This led to the development of a “learning organization” approach to the way they developed and rolled out products.

read the article here

We’ve been engaged in over 300 projects for clients worldwide since 1980. Here are a few examples:

  • Faculty development workshop on incorporating AI into business school curricula for LUISS University, Rome, Italy
  • Led the strategic planning process including platforms for online stakeholder engagement and content analysis for WCNY (Syracuse Public Broadcasting) and the State Theatre of Ithaca (a nonprofit historic theatre)
  • Provided custom workshops and instructional design “playbooks” for General Electric and the US Navy
  • Conducted curriculum and degree program reviews for Western Governors University, LeMoyne College, Babson College, and St. John Fischer
  • Executive briefings on Gen-Z in the workplace for Abbott Pharmaceuticals and Borg-Warner Automotive
  • Worked with C-Suite executives at Guthrie Healthcare, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Bangag Inc. to develop systems and practices for organizational learning and employee engagement, such as suggestion systems, online learning

Would you like to start a project with us?​

Email: info@dgayeski.com