Stephen Nasiatka, CPA, CFE, WSET 2
Superconnector, CFO, CWO, Entrepreneur, Wine Educator, Capital Markets, Encourager of Joie de Vivre. Follow for posts around wine, fire safety, capital markets, accounting & finance, and my journey.
Stephen Nasiatka builds community-first content around board governance and IPO readiness by hosting and recapping intimate, high-value events (dinners, wine tastings, networking socials) that position him as a connector of C-suite leaders. His most distinctive move is weaving personal storytelling and sensory detail (wine selections, venue descriptions, attendee names) into event recaps to make exclusive access feel aspirational and real.
5.2/wk
67 posts in 30d
22
avg per post
14.8%
comments / total
1.9%
reposts / total
story
Mon · 10 AM CET
Voice & tone
Warm, insider-focused, and deliberately exclusive. He speaks as someone who has earned a seat at the table and wants to bring others into that room. The tone balances gratitude (naming sponsors, hosts, team members by first name) with subtle social proof ("sold out," "packed room," "returning attendees"). Phrases like "the kind of candid dialogue that makes these evenings so valuable" and "where the real magic happens" signal that what happens in his community is rare and worth protecting.
Signature phrases
- “the kind of candid dialogue that makes these evenings so valuable”
- “where the real magic happens”
- “People may come for the programming, but they come back because of the community”
- “Exactly what this community is about”
- “the depth and honesty of the discussion is on a different level”
- “conversations are protected under the Chatham House Rule”
Top 3 posts, dissected
Their highest-engagement posts, broken down line by line. Steal the structure.
Wednesday's Private Directors Association®- New England event was a reminder that the strongest organizations don't simply build memberships, customers, or audiences. They build communities. Despite the challenges of late June calendars, vacations, graduations, and summer schedules, more than 50 directors, executives, advisors, and leaders came together at Grant Thornton (US)'s beautiful Boston office to learn, connect, and strengthen relationships. Before the program began, I shared a story about spending time with Scotland's famed "Tartan Army" during a recent World Cup match. What struck me wasn't the soccer. It was the sense of belonging. Thousands of people connected by a shared purpose and something larger than themselves. (Perfectly on cue, Denielle, with the "No Scotland, No Party" chant! 🍻) That's what makes PDA special. People may come for the programming, but they come back because of the community. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, first-time attendees, and new connections being formed throughout the evening. A special thank you to Grant Thornton (US) and Ihloom Cybersecurity, two of our newest PDA New England partners, for helping make the evening possible. Garrett and the ihloom team delivered an outstanding tabletop exercise that brought cybersecurity to life in a practical and memorable way. Who would have thought that an overflowing toilet might become the perfect analogy for cyber incident response? We were also fortunate to have Pradeep Aradhya skillfully moderate an engaging panel discussion that explored cybersecurity, governance, leadership, risk management, and the growing impact of AI (although not too much AI!) in the boardroom. My thanks as well to our exceptional panelists Garrett Brown, Edna Conway, Denielle Finkelstein & Tarun Vazirani for sharing their expertise, experiences, and perspectives. A heartfelt thank you goes to our volunteer leadership team, whose dedication continues to make these programs possible, to Nolan Ball, Jeff Strassman, Alec and the GT team. Of course, as well to Chef Danila & army at Taste Bud Catering for another outstanding culinary experience. And can't forget our bartender, Sam Collin, for exceptional service! And for those who humored me with the evening's World Cup-themed wine selections, thank you as well. From England to South Africa, Spain to Uruguay, the goal wasn't really the wine. Connection is. Whether you enjoyed wine, beer, soda or water, we are all part of a great and growing PDA community, and I'm grateful to be building it alongside all of you. (And for a terrific recap of the panel discussion and some wonderful takeaways, be sure to check out Denielle Finkelstein's post, which I'll link in the comments.)
Opens with a counterintuitive claim (strongest orgs build communities, not audiences) that immediately signals this is not transactional networking advice. The hook reframes the entire event as a belonging story rather than a business gathering, which stops the scroll because it's unexpected from a CPA/CFE.
Story-driven narrative arc: (1) Hook with philosophical claim, (2) Context-setting (50+ attendees despite summer challenges), (3) Personal anecdote (Tartan Army/World Cup), (4) Bridge back to PDA value, (5) Specific gratitude to sponsors, (6) Call to action embedded in closing.
- Contrast principle: surface value (memberships, customers) vs. real value (community)
- Sensory storytelling: Scotland, World Cup, chants, sense of belonging
- Specific name-dropping: Denielle, Grant Thornton, Ihloom Cybersecurity
- Emoji as punctuation: 🍻 signals warmth and insider tone
- Ellipsis to create pause and emphasis: 'That's what makes PDA special.'
No hard CTA, but the implicit ask is to join the community. The post ends with gratitude to sponsors, which subtly invites readers to either attend future events or sponsor them. The lack of a pushy CTA actually drives comments because readers feel invited to ask questions rather than sold to.
Lead with the emotional truth of your event (belonging, not business) and let that frame drive engagement; people comment when they feel the story is about them, not about you.
Another fantastic Directors’ Table Dinner with the Private Directors Association®- New England last evening. An intimate group, thoughtful perspectives, plenty of laughs, and the kind of candid dialogue that makes these evenings so valuable at a once again SOLD OUT dinner! As …
Opens with social proof ("Another fantastic Directors' Table Dinner") that signals this is a recurring, valuable event. The word "Another" implies exclusivity and repeat demand. Immediately follows with the highest-stakes detail: "SOLD OUT." This two-punch hook creates urgency and FOMO in the reader's mind before they've finished the first sentence.
Stacked proof points: (1) Social proof hook, (2) Intimate group descriptor, (3) Chatham House Rule transparency, (4) Insight about what makes the conversation valuable, (5) Momentum observation (new faces, returning attendees, ongoing connections), (6) Calendar of upcoming events with registration status, (7) Soft CTA for interested board members.
- Sold-out language: creates scarcity and desirability without being pushy
- Parenthetical asides: (attendees… yes, that includes my comments as well 😉) adds personality and shows the creator follows their own rules
- Momentum language: 'We're seeing real momentum… new faces, returning attendees' signals growth and staying power
- Calendar formatting with emojis: 📅 makes upcoming events scannable and actionable
- Ellipsis for breath and emphasis: 'And more to come…' suggests future exclusivity
Soft CTA: 'If you're a current or aspiring board member and want to learn more about these dinners or the broader community, plea[se reach out].' The truncation is intentional in the data, but the pattern is to invite inquiry rather than demand registration, which respects the audience's status and drives higher-quality engagement.
Stack social proof early (sold out, returning attendees, momentum) and then provide a calendar of next steps; people comment when they see proof that others like them are already in the room.
Sold out. Packed room. Enjoyable networking. Exactly what this community is about. Fantastic to see such an incredible turnout of Private Directors Association®- New England Chapter members, guests, and sponsors at our Spring Social at Bluebird Bar in West Newton. What stood ou…
Three-word opening ("Sold out. Packed room. Enjoyable networking.") that hits the reader with rapid-fire proof points before the thesis. The fourth sentence ("Exactly what this community is about.") is the payoff that ties those facts to meaning. This structure is highly scannable and creates a rhythm that feels authoritative without being preachy.
Proof-first architecture: (1) Three-word proof statements, (2) Thesis alignment, (3) Specific event context, (4) Standout moment (structured introductions with asks), (5) Detailed gratitude to venue and team, (6) Sensory menu breakdown, (7) Wine curation narrative with specific bottles and regions, (8) Closing gratitude and implicit invitation to next event.
- Staccato opening: short sentences create momentum and authority
- Structural innovation: 'We structured the evening so everyone had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share an "ask."' explains the *why* behind the success, not just the outcome
- Hyper-specific gratitude: names Patrick Sullivan and the Bluebird team, then lists exact dishes (Duxbury oysters, Calabrian chili arancini) to show the creator notices and values detail
- Wine expertise display: Franco-American lineup with vintage years and regions signals WSET 2 credibility and curator taste
- Parenthetical celebration: (nearly sold out) on upcoming events creates urgency for readers
No explicit CTA. The post ends with wine selections and a forward-looking tone ("And more to come…"), which implicitly invites readers to stay tuned. The lack of a hard ask actually increases comments because readers feel they're being let into a story, not pitched.
Use sensory detail (food, wine, venue) as proof that you care about the experience, not just the attendance number; this makes your events feel premium and worth talking about.
What drives their engagement
Comments spike when the post includes a specific structural insight ("We structured the evening so everyone had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share an 'ask'") or when the creator names individuals by first name and role. Readers comment to ask how to attend, to tag friends, or to add their own experience. The Chatham House Rule reference also invites comments because it signals safety to engage.
Repost rate is low (1.9%) because the content is intentionally exclusive and insider-focused. Reposts happen when the post includes a calendar announcement or a universally relatable insight about community (e.g., "People may come for the programming, but they come back because of the community"). The exclusivity is a feature, not a bug.
Low savability. This creator optimizes for reach and comment engagement, not for evergreen reference material. Posts are time-bound (event recaps, calendar announcements) and designed to drive immediate action (attend the next event, join the community) rather than to be revisited for advice.
Content pillars
Event Recaps & Community Building
45%Detailed post-event narratives that celebrate attendees, sponsors, and the quality of connection that happened, positioning exclusive gatherings as the core value proposition.
Board Member Insights & Governance
25%Thought leadership on IPO readiness, board composition, and executive decision-making aimed at current and aspiring directors.
Wine & Executive Experience Design
20%Blending experiences and wine-forward networking events that double as relationship-building tools for high-net-worth professionals.
Upcoming Event Announcements
10%Calendar-driven posts promoting PDA New England dinners, socials, and educational sessions with registration details and sponsorship calls.
Hook patterns
Community Observation Opening
Observation about what makes [community/event] special, often contrasting surface-level value with deeper truth
“Wednesday's Private Directors Association®- New England event was a reminder that the strongest organizations don't simply build memberships, customers, or audiences. They build communities.”
→ Immediately signals insider knowledge and reframes the event as about belonging, not transactions, which resonates with board-level audiences seeking authentic connection.
Bold Status Statement
Short, declarative claim about event outcome (sold out, packed, quality metric) followed by alignment statement
“Sold out. Packed room. Enjoyable networking. Exactly what this community is about.”
→ Creates FOMO and social proof in four short sentences, then immediately validates why it matters, making readers feel they're missing something valuable.
Gratitude + Repeat Attendance
Personal return statement ("Back for the [nth] time") paired with specific person names and what stood out
“Back for the third time, and it keeps getting better. Grateful to Dechert LLP for the continued trust (2x Boston, 1x NYC), and especially to Christopher Christian and Ralph R. Mazzeo for bringing me into the room again.”
→ Demonstrates loyalty and earned access while naming decision-makers, which signals to readers that this creator is trusted by major firms and worth following.
Narrative Bridge to Larger Meaning
Personal anecdote (Scotland, World Cup, sense of belonging) that mirrors the event's core value
“Before the program began, I shared a story about spending time with Scotland's famed 'Tartan Army' during a recent World Cup match. What struck me wasn't the soccer. It was the sense of belonging.”
→ Elevates the event beyond logistics into emotional territory, making the post memorable and shareable because it's about human connection, not just networking.
Sensory Detail + Curation
Specific menu, wine list, or venue detail that signals thoughtfulness and exclusivity
“Duxbury oysters, shrimp cocktail, mushroom & sirloin crostini, arancini with Calabrian chili, whipped eggplant & creamy hummus, and of course: a beautifully curated cheese board.”
→ Makes the reader feel the experience viscerally and signals that every element was intentional, reinforcing the idea that this community doesn't cut corners.
Insider Rule Reference
Mention of Chatham House Rule or similar confidentiality framework that protects attendee privacy
“As always, conversations are protected under the Chatham House Rule (attendees… yes, that includes my comments as well 😉).”
→ Builds trust by showing the creator respects confidentiality, which is critical for board-level professionals who need to speak candidly without fear of public exposure.
Top-performing hooks
“Wednesday's Private Directors Association®- New England event was a reminder that the strongest organizations don't simply build memberships, customers, or audiences.”
“Another fantastic Directors’ Table Dinner with the Private Directors Association®- New England last evening.”
→ The post leverages social proof (sold-out event, experienced attendees) and exclusivity to establish authority while strategically promoting upcoming events to drive continued engagement and community
“Sold out. Packed room. Enjoyable networking. Exactly what this community is about.”
→ The post combines concrete event success metrics (sold out, packed room) with specific, memorable details (wine selections, food descriptions, attendee names) that create social proof and FOMO while i
“Back for the third time, and it keeps getting better.”
→ The post builds credibility through repeated invitations and genuine appreciation for people rather than self-promotion, while the specific name-dropping and behind-the-scenes perspective creates auth
“Great night at Foley Hoag LLP hosting an executive blending experience with EisnerAmper. 🍷”
“What a wild ride it's been.”
“✅ Two of the strongest associations in Boston, without question.”
→ The post establishes authority by showcasing a high-caliber event with top-tier participants while building community through detailed gratitude and personal anecdotes, positioning the author as a tru
“Wow! What a way for Weaver to enter the Boston market with a bang.”
“Wine was never really the point.”
“I looked around the room last night.”
→ The post uses vivid sensory storytelling and relatable observations about disconnection to create emotional resonance, while the subtle CTA about wine societies provides a natural next step without be
What works
- Event recap storytelling with named attendees and sponsors: Top 3 posts all recap specific events and name individuals (Christopher Christian, Ralph R. Mazzeo, Patrick Sullivan, Adriana Marchetti). This drives 89-107 engagement because readers see themselves or their peers in the story.
- Sold-out/packed room language: Posts 2 and 3 both lead with scarcity signals ("sold out," "packed room") and average 94-91 engagement. This creates FOMO and social proof simultaneously.
- Sensory detail in event recaps: Post 3 includes a full menu breakdown and wine list with regions and vintages, averaging 91 engagement. This level of detail signals curator expertise and makes the event feel premium and worth discussing.
- Gratitude-first structure: All top 5 posts include specific thanks to hosts, sponsors, or team members. This builds loyalty with the organizations that host events and makes readers feel the creator values people, not just attendance numbers.
- Narrative bridge to larger meaning: Post 1 opens with a Scotland/World Cup anecdote that mirrors the event's core value (belonging). This emotional framing averages 107 engagement because it elevates the post beyond logistics into human territory.
- Chatham House Rule transparency: Post 2 mentions confidentiality protections and averages 94 engagement. Board members need to know their candid remarks are protected, and this reference builds trust.
Steal this for your own LinkedIn
- Name three specific people in your next event recap (first name + last name or title). This makes readers feel seen and creates a reason for those people to engage and share.
- Open with a scarcity signal (sold out, packed, nearly full) before explaining why the event mattered. This creates urgency and social proof in the first sentence.
- Include a sensory detail (food, wine, venue aesthetic) that shows you care about the experience, not just the headcount. One specific menu item or wine selection signals curator taste.
- End with a soft CTA that invites inquiry rather than demands registration (e.g., 'If you're interested in learning more, reach out' vs. 'Sign up now'). This respects your audience's status and drives higher-quality engagement.
- Use a personal anecdote (travel story, observation, moment of clarity) that mirrors the event's core value. This makes the post memorable and shareable because it's about human connection, not business.
- Post on Monday morning (9 UTC or early in your audience's timezone) and keep posts between 180-350 words for maximum engagement. Longer posts (350+) perform even better for this creator, so lean into narrative depth.
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Posting patterns
Posts 5.2 times per week with 100% consistency over the last 90 days, suggesting a disciplined content calendar tied to event cycles and announcements.
Monday at 9 UTC (4 AM ET / 1 AM PT) performs best, which is unusual and suggests the audience is either on the West Coast checking LinkedIn early or the algorithm favors early-week posts for this creator's niche.
Long-form posts (180-350 words, 24% of posts) average 28 engagement, and very long posts (350+ words, 12% of posts) average 60 engagement. This creator should lean into longer narratives because board members and executives have time to read and engage deeply with substantive content. Short posts (30-80 words) underperform at 7 avg engagement.
Engagement by day
Content mix
avg 28 engagements per post
avg 20 engagements per post
Stephen's format mix works because his audience (board members, CFOs, executives) values exclusivity and insider access over viral reach. Event recaps and community announcements make up 55% of his content, which keeps followers engaged with the next opportunity to join. The remaining 45% is split between governance insights and wine/experience design, which positions him as a multidimensional connector rather than a one-note expert. This mix builds trust and repeat engagement because followers see him as someone who understands both the business (IPO readiness, board governance) and the human side (community, relationships, experiences).
