SURINA piyadasa
​CEO & FOUNDER, DYNAMICALLY SPEAKING

Surina Piyadasa is a nationally-recognized Strategic Communications Expert and Executive Coach. Her joy is empowering leaders to communicate their digital transformation strategy with confidence.

Before launching Dynamically Speaking in 2004, Surina held Vice President positions in Corporate Finance, Structured Finance and Institutional Bond Sales. Employers include The Brenner Group, Coast Partners Securities and Union Bank Capital Markets Group. Surina has helped fast-growth companies raise over $1 billion in expansion capital, including the first Sprint PCS affiliate in 1999.

Surina earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Golden Gate University while working full-time as a Manager in Bank of America's Corporate Agency Unit. A Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Francisco State University was 100% funded through speech writing contests, scholarships, grants and part-time work at Macy's.

In her spare time, Surina loves discovering new trails to hike with her husband, digging in the backyard dirt and mentoring next-generation entrepreneurs.

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Current Affiliations:
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• Professional actor and SAG-AFTRA member since 2004

• ​100 Women in Finance, member since 2017
• Investor and Customer Pitch Mentor, LexisNexis Legal Tech Accelerator since 2017 launch
• Ambassador (since 2011) and Board member (2008 through 2011), Water for People
• Financial ​Supporter, Otinoa Village Children's Orphanage, Uganda since 2015
• Business Advisor and Student Mentor, Eden Area Recreational Occupational Program (since 2017) 

Past Professional Affiliations:

• Co-Chair, Executive Committee, Business Forums International, Palo Alto and SF Chapters (2005 -2012)
• Mentor, The Founder Institute (Palo Alto Chapter, 2011)

Workshop Presentations include:

• "Ten Best Practices for Crafting a Compelling Pitch", LexisNexis - Lex Machina Tech Accelerator
• "Present with Focus, Relevance and Results", SF CFA Society
• "Think and Speak Like an Inspired Leader", Cisco Global Supply Chain
• "Think Like a Champion to Soar as an Eagle", Eden Area ROP
• "The Entrepreneur's Journey:What You'll Need to Succeed",NFTE and BAFEF
• "From Set-back to Opportunity" , NFTE
• "Create a First Impression to WOW Your Audience",NFTE
• "Communicate to Influence" , Office of the CIO
• "Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch", Vistage International
• "Boardroom-style Presentations to Retail Executives" , StorePoint Retail

PASSION. CURIOSITY. EMPATHY.