A woman in a black blazer holding a microphone, standing in front of a large screen, in a conference room.
Two people smiling and talking at a professional networking event, with multiple individuals in the background engaged in conversations.
People at a conference table engaged in conversation, smiling and laughing.
A group of people at a conference or seminar with a man in the foreground smiling and clapping. Behind him, a woman is speaking into a microphone and another man is making a fist gesture. The background features a logo with mountain peaks and the word 'G'.
Group of five people celebrating and dancing at an indoor event with a beige patterned wall in the background.
Group of people celebrating and high-fiving in a banquet hall, with a young man in a blue blazer at the center smiling, surrounded by women and men.
A group of people at a conference or meeting, with three individuals in the foreground engaged in conversation, one man gesturing while speaking, and many others sitting at tables in the background.
People sitting at a round table during a conference or workshop, engaged in conversation with a large screen displaying presentation slides in the background. 
Photos courtesy of Rachael Mcintosh Photography

Uplevel Your Conference

How many conferences have you been to that kick off with a quick welcome from the organizer or HR, then jump straight into a keynote? You're left to figure out the whole “connecting with people” part on your own—between sessions, in hallways, over dinner, or while rushing to the next breakout. Some folks are great at that. Others? Not so much.

What if you made connection part of the plan from the start? Imagine carving out intentional time, led by an expert facilitator, to help people connect—with support, structure, and purpose. It sets the tone, lifts the energy, puts people at ease, and gets them genuinely excited to be there. It plants seeds that can grow over hours, days—even years.

Calysta leverages 25 years of teaching experience to lead sessions that are disarming, energizing, playful, and deeply meaningful—leaving participants feeling alive, connected, and on purpose.

Don’t leave the most meaningful part of the experience—connection—up to chance.
Reach out to talk about how I can help make your next conference more impactful.

Let's Connect

What people are saying…

BNY logo with stylized arrow pointing to the right.
“If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of working with Calysta Phillips, you’ll soon see why she’s quickly becoming one of the industry’s most trusted voices for launching its largest and most complex events. Calysta goes beyond her Ivy League education, multilingual capabilities, and truly exemplifies the values of integrity, intellect, and quiet leadership.

Whether she is navigating a complex investment structure or helping ensure our family’s legacy is both protected and forward-looking, Calysta brings both rigor and heart to the work. She has a unique ability to engage a room with authenticity, warmth, and just the right amount of humor. She is skilled at easing tension, encouraging open dialogue, and creating a space where everyone – from the most established businesses to the emerging entrepreneur – opens and willingly connects with the audience in attendance.

I have personally been the beneficiary of Calysta’s amazing ability to open a 400-person conference which resulted in a successful event for attendees, sponsors, and guests. I strongly recommend you engage Calysta to kick off your next event! ”
— Timothy Sheehan, Top Global Financial Advisor, BNY Wealth
Line drawing of two mountains with a winding path in the foreground, and the text "Big Path Capital" below.
“Calysta brought joy, depth, and purpose to our summit in how she facilitated our opening and closing sessions. Her masterful moderation exceeded our expectations.”
— Michael Whelchel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Big Path Capital