About Daryl and Ed

Daryl Conner and Ed Boswell have devoted many decades to advising leaders and senior change practitioners of major organizations worldwide in the successful navigation of complex, large-scale change. In addition, each has led organizations and understands in a very real way the challenges and risks of driving transformation. They understand first-hand how hard it is to both be an effective leader and to help execute critical strategies or difficult transformations.

Just as importantly, during their combined 90+ years of service, Daryl and Ed have trained and coached hundreds of senior practitioners to be more impactful. They have worked with thousands of internal specialists and external consultants in the art and science of facilitating enterprise-wide transformation. These experiences have led to a deep understanding of the patterns of human behavior and mindsets that underlie all change and what it takes to foster the process. The lessons that Daryl and Ed have learned, through their own experiences and their observations of others along the way, are at the heart of the curriculum they offer at Conner Academy.

The 2025 Spring ATA Program begins on May 16, 2025 and runs thru September 26, 2025. Learn more and register.

The 2025 Fall ATA Program begins on October 3, 2025 and runs thru March 6, 2026. Learn more and register.

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Our Mission

At Conner Academy, we provide advanced professional development for seasoned change professionals—specialists who are accomplished in the technical aspects of their field and are eager to elevate their strategic influence. We create challenging, supportive learning environments for individuals who are committed to pursuing mastery. Our Advanced Trusted Advisor program is designed to help practitioners evolve into High Impact Trusted Advisors (HITAs) who can guide senior executives through complex, high-stakes change.

Who We Serve

We offer guidance to experienced specialists from a range of disciplines who support senior executives. These disciplines include:

  • Change Management
  • Human Resources
  • Strategic Planning
  • Business transformation
  • Project Management
  • Organizational Development
  • Executive Coaching
  • Management Consulting

We are here for those who:

  1. Are already seen as HITAs but want to further elevate their influence
  2. Aspire to secure HITA status within the organizations they support

Why We Do This

Among the vast number of change initiatives taking place in organizations today, some stand apart. “Changes that matter” are undertakings capable of advancing the quality of human experience—they have the potential to create significant, lasting, positive impact on businesses, communities, and even society. For transformations of this nature to succeed, they require leaders who can navigate complexity with vision and resilience and are supported by practitioners operating at the highest level of their craft.

At Conner Academy, we are committed to cultivating a community of elite change professionals, with the hope that some will be called upon to help advance changes that truly make a difference for humanity.