Keynote Speaker | Leadership Strategist | Growth Architect | Creator of Big Deal Energy™ | Founder, The House of What’s N3XT

Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood is a sought-after keynote speaker, leadership strategist, and growth architect known for delivering powerful, activating messages that move audiences from inspiration to execution. With more than 25 years of experience across corporate leadership, growth marketing, media, and purpose-driven transformation, Daniela brings a rare ability to connect vision, strategy, and human potential—on stage and beyond it.

What makes Daniela a big deal is both simple and profound: she is deeply committed to helping others unleash their Big Deal Energy™—the confidence, clarity, and courage required to name bold dreams, lead through change, and build lives and organizations of lasting impact. She doesn’t just motivate audiences to dream bigger; she gives them language, frameworks, and momentum to take action immediately.

Her speaker platform is anchored in her proprietary N3XT Ecosystem™, which organizes her work into three interconnected sectors designed to meet audiences where they are—and move them toward what’s next.

N3XT STRATEGIES™

Growth, Innovation & Organizational Leadership

This sector is designed for executives, organizations, institutions, and leadership teams navigating growth, disruption, and transformation.

Expertise Includes:
• Growth marketing and innovation strategy
• Organizational change and transformation
• Vision casting and strategic alignment
• Executive communication and influence
• Leading through complexity without losing culture or character

Notable Engagements & Experience:
• Guest Lecturer, Morehouse School of Business, sharing insights on growth, leadership, and strategic communication
• Keynote Speaker, YWCA York All-Hands Session, delivering a powerful message on navigating organizational change with clarity, trust, and courage
• Vice President-level leadership experience overseeing growth, marketing, and program strategy for national hospitality and education-based organizations

Audience Outcomes:
Leaders leave with practical frameworks to stabilize teams, align vision, and lead transformation without burnout or breakdown.

YARDWORK™

Leadership Development, Culture & People Systems

YARDWORK™ is Daniela’s people-centered leadership platform—focused on cultivating strong internal foundations before external expansion.

Expertise Includes:
• Leadership identity and executive presence
• Culture building and values-driven leadership
• Communication across difference, hierarchy, and change
• Developing leaders at every level of the organization

Notable Engagements & Experience:
• Keynote and workshop facilitator for leadership cohorts, nonprofit organizations, and campus communities
• Alumni Speaker and Workshop Facilitator, Full Sail University, mentoring creatives, professionals, and emerging leaders
• Trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating people, performance, and purpose

Audience Outcomes:
Participants gain clarity on how they lead, why it matters, and who they must become to lead well in seasons of growth and pressure.

BIG DEAL ENERGY™

Personal Development, Purpose & Bold Vision

This is Daniela’s most requested and emotionally resonant platform—where belief meets action.

Big Deal Energy™ is about giving people permission, language, and momentum to name their dreams out loud and move toward them with intention.

Expertise Includes:
• Dream activation and purpose alignment
• Faith-centered and values-driven motivation
• Identity, confidence, and personal leadership
• Turning vision into 30-60-90 day action plans

Notable Engagements & Media:
• Credentialed On-Air Media Correspondent, Oprah’s Life You Want Tour (Miami)
• Featured Media Guest, Emotional Mojo, discussing personal & professional transformation
• Author of 20 personal and professional development books, including Big Mouth Big Dreams

Audience Outcomes:
Audiences leave activated—not just inspired—ready to take immediate steps toward the life, career, or calling they’ve been postponing.

Why Organizations Book Daniela
• She blends executive credibility with human connection
• She speaks fluently to boardrooms, classrooms, faith spaces, and conference halls
• She delivers strategy with soul—and inspiration with structure
• She equips audiences with tools, not just motivation

Whether addressing executives, emerging leaders, creatives, or purpose-driven organizations, Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood delivers messages that move people forward—with clarity, confidence, and Big Deal Energy™.

Based in Columbia, Maryland, Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood is deeply passionate about advancing leadership, innovation, and equity within HBCU communities and purpose-driven organizations. She currently serves in an executive leadership role at Thompson Hospitality, where she helps shape growth strategy, culture, and transformative programs across higher education and hospitality. Daniela is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and has been recognized by Women We Admire as one of Maryland’s Top Women Leaders in both 2024 and 2025. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys dancing, decorating, wellness practices, and curating luxury wellness experiences—all rooted in her commitment to elevating others, celebrating excellence, and creating spaces where people can truly thrive.