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Diane Hessan is the Boston-based CEO of Salient Ventures and serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for CVS Health. She previously founded and served as CEO of the market research firm Communispace, which she scaled and sold to Omnicom Group in 2011. Her executive background includes tenures as Chief Executive Officer of the Startup Institute and Chief Marketing Officer at Fidelity Investments. Hessan holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Tufts University, maintaining corporate board seats at public companies including Papa John's and Brightcove. Additionally, she authored the 2021 book "Our Common Ground" and contributes as a regular columnist for The Boston Globe. Her current professional focus centers on corporate board governance, early-stage venture capital advisory, and publishing longitudinal consumer and voter sentiment research.
Diane Hessan stands as a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial and investment landscape, currently serving as the esteemed Chairman of C Space. Her journey is marked by a profound understanding of consumer insights and a remarkable ability to build and scale successful ventures. As an active angel investor, Diane Hessan brings her wealth of experience to early-stage companies, primarily focusing on innovative technology, consumer-centric businesses, and data-driven solutions that promise significant market disruption.
Before her current role as Chairman, Diane Hessan founded Communispace in 1999, a pioneering company that revolutionized how brands connect with consumers through online communities. Under her leadership as CEO for 13 years, Communispace grew into a global leader in customer collaboration, eventually being acquired by Omnicom in 2011 and rebranded as C Space. Her vision transformed market research, emphasizing authentic consumer engagement to drive business strategy. This foundational experience deeply informs her investment philosophy, where she seeks out companies that prioritize customer understanding and leverage technology to create meaningful connections.
Diane Hessan's career background extends beyond C Space, showcasing a diverse and impactful trajectory. She previously served as a partner at The Parthenon Group, a strategic consulting firm, and as CEO of the Pioneer Institute, a public policy research organization. This varied experience has equipped her with a comprehensive perspective on business strategy, operational excellence, and market dynamics, all of which she applies in her advisory and investment capacities. She is also a co-founder and Chairman of Salient Ventures, further solidifying her commitment to fostering new enterprises.
As an investor, Diane Hessan is known for her strategic insights and mentorship. While specific individual investments are often private, her portfolio typically includes companies poised for growth in areas like SaaS, digital media, consumer tech, and platforms that facilitate better decision-making through data. Her involvement often goes beyond capital, offering invaluable guidance on scaling operations, market positioning, and team building. She also serves on numerous influential boards, including Wayfair, Eastern Bank, and Tufts University, demonstrating her broad influence across various sectors. Diane Hessan's commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs makes her a sought-after investor and advisor in the startup ecosystem.
Diane Hessan is the Chairman of C Space, a highly respected entrepreneur, angel investor, and author. She founded Communispace (now C Space) and is known for her expertise in consumer insights, technology, and building successful businesses.
Diane Hessan primarily invests in early-stage companies, with a focus on technology, consumer-centric businesses, and data-driven solutions. Her portfolio often includes companies in SaaS, digital media, and platforms that leverage customer insights.
Diane Hessan serves as the Chairman of C Space, a global customer insights agency. She is also a co-founder and Chairman of Salient Ventures and sits on the boards of several prominent organizations, including Wayfair and Eastern Bank.
