Banquet Address 2012

Soraya Darabi
Digital Strategist and Co-Founder, Foodspotting
 

Digital maven, Soraya Darabi, has her finger firmly on the pulse of today's changing media landscape. Internationally acclaimed, Darabi has been featured on the cover of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” issue, Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30," and AdAge Magazine’s “25 People in Media to Follow on Twitter.”

She began her career as Manager of digital partnerships and social media for The New York Times at age 23. While there, she positioned the Times on such networks as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, establishing award-winning marketing campaigns and upending the way news was consumed.

Following her tenure at the Times, Darabi helped found the mobile aplication, Foodspotting. Today, Foodspotting boasts over two million downloads, was named by Apple and Wired as an app of the year, and  featured in Busessweek as a “Most Promising Startup.”

Currently her impressive resume includes Sony, Condé Nast, The Washington Post, and ABC News. She sits on the board of The New Republic magazine and the digital board of General Electric.

Darabi has spoken on the importance of a social and digital media strategy to chief executives at companies ranging from Disney and Time Inc. to Everyday Health. She volunteers her time and expertise to such nonprofit organizations as charity: water, The Robin Hood Foundation, United Nation’s Global Pulse, and Carnegie Hall.