Darian Rodriguez Heyman

Darian Rodriguez Heyman is committed to sustainable social progress. As Executive Director of Craigslist Foundation, he aims to support not just one cause or organization, but to uplift the entire nonprofit sector through leveraging the craigslist brand. Heyman works to inspire collaboration and effectiveness by connecting thousands of emerging and established leaders with vital support organizations and best practices; he believes there should be no difference between the person who dreams of a better world, and the person who knows how to make it real. For his work in the field, Independent Sector has gone as far as labeling him a "Vital Voice" in their 2007 Annual Report.

Dubbed "Professor Internet" by Adweek Magazine, Heyman is a former dot-commer with a strong history of building organizations and facilitating community development. His career began when he co-founded and later sold the global digital advertising agency Beyond Interactive to Grey Global Group, now part of WPP.

Candid, light-hearted, and right-on-target, audiences find him inspirational and impactful as he poses the challenges that face the community-at-large while asking each member of the audience what are you going to do about it, how can a collaborative approach advance your efforts, and what does success look like? Heyman delivers insights, trends, and solutions on the topics of philanthropy, social change, and leadership.

Working closely with other respected nonprofit organizations and leaders, Heyman is considered a thought leader in the area of philanthropy, and is frequently called upon to deliver keynote addresses or open dialogues with organizations and individuals interested in becoming active participants in positive social change, or looking at ways that they can take their efforts to the next level. Recently, he keynoted the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits' annual conference, and has spoken at Independent Sector, BoardSource, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Nonprofit Congress, CompassPoint's Nonprofit Day, and many more. The media also frequently taps him for his insight, including the NYTimes, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Since taking the helm of Craigslist Foundation, Heyman has facilitated and presented to groups ranging in size from intimate resource sharing circles of 10 to jam-packed keynote auditoriums of 2,000.