Empowering you to build
authentic connections
that drive your success
Shana Sumers is a powerhouse in connection, confidence, and community building - helping professionals and organizations build networks that work. She brings clear frameworks and lived expertise that helps people grow their influence and deepen their connections for impactful growth.
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Meet Shana
Hey, I'm Shana Sumers - keynote speaker, former HubSpot leader, and co-host of the Bad Queers podcast.
I help professionals and organizations develop strategic relationship capital, the connections that accelerate careers, unlock partnerships, and drive measurable business outcomes
My work is rooted in a simple truth: the best opportunities - career advancement, partnerships, investments - aren't posted anywhere. They come from the relationships you build before you need them. And for professionals who've been locked out of traditional networks, knowing how to build relationship capital isn't just valuable, it's essential.
I learned this firsthand. Early in my career, I moved across the country to join an LGBTQ+ dating app as their community manager, helping expand the platform from 8 to 28 communities centered on identity and belonging. That work showed me the power of intentional connection and what happens when people finally have access to spaces built for them.
At HubSpot, I put that into practice at scale. I launched and led Black@INBOUND, the company's first professional community for Black talent, and grew it by over 400% in six months. That success led me to create The Spot Community, a global platform for Black and Latine professionals and founders, where I led conference activations, managed partnerships with LinkedIn and Chase Ink, booked speakers like Dr. Yvette Noel-Schure, Dr. Marcus Collins and Morgan DeBaun, and tripled event engagement year-over-year.
Now, through keynotes and workshops, I help organizations and professionals build the strategic networks that drive real career growth and business impact without code-switching, performing, or shrinking to fit in. Because the best relationships aren't built by blending in - they're built by showing up as exactly who you are.
When I'm not on stage, you'll find me dancing in the end zone after a football touchdown, hyping up creators online, or recording the Bad Queers podcast.
I'd love to bring this work to your team, conference, or community. Let's talk about how we can help your audience build the relationships that change everything.
