Diane Yarborough - Founder and President

Diane Yarborough is a leadership and culture architect with more than two decades of experience guiding organizations through transformation, growth, and cultural reinvention. As the founder of Castaway & Company, she partners with executives and leadership teams to build thriving workplaces defined by clarity, accountability, and excellence in both performance and culture. 

Diane played key roles in major organizational transitions, including the transformation of the Disney Village Resort into the Disney Institute -now Saratoga Spring in 1994; and the grand openings of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort (1997). She facilitated Disney’s “Traditions” Orientation Program, helping instill the company’s signature values and culture in new cast members. 

In 1997 she was one of the first inhabitants of Disney's private island - Castaway Cay where she lived and provided HR Leadership for the opening of the Island and the line's first two ships -  Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.  She also sailed and as the HR Officer onboard Disney Magic supporting the Captain and fellow Conference Officers, providing leadership for  and all Crew related functions.  

She left Disney and brought an overwhelming tool box and a desire to bring innovation to marketing and PR, so she launched a boutique Cause Marketing agency - Cranberry Way where the team worked on Innovative Philanthropy and coined the term "Philanthropy Relations" for their type of PR. 

Diane’s true passion lies with developing inititavies and programs and brought that to her expertise  in enhancing the Leader and Employee Experience (EX) as well as a strong focus on employer branding and the Candidate Experience (CanX). Bringing this focus in helping organizations reimagine their cultures to attract and retain top talent. She believes that culture is defined by the actions that leaders take and accept, the behaviors they encourage, and are only as good as the vision they set.  

This led her to rebrand to Castaway & Company where she now focuses on bringing that innovation to the experience and culture in organizations needing to ReThink their greatest asset, their people and their leaders. 

Disney provided a rich and complete education in service and leadership excellence and gave her an attention to detail.  Going above and beyond was a way of life and a keen attention to detail was expected.  

Diane has worked and consulted in industries including energy and utilities, telecommunications, financial services, senior living, retail, and hospitality, helping organizations strengthen their cultures, elevate leadership effectiveness, and where exceptional employee experiences matter. Her expertise spans organizational design, leadership development, executive coaching, employee experience strategy, and culture transformation.

Diane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Consultation from Stetson University. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and two teenage sons.