Dionna
Smith
Speaker • Trainer • Consultant
Award-winning, C-level Executive, Political and Government Strategist, Crisis Communications Expert, Author, Speaker & Consultant.
From growing up in New Orleans, to becoming a young mom at Howard University, to breaking barriers as one of the few Black women to reach the tech C-suite, and now leading communications for one of the largest local governments in the Southeast, I know the power of story.
And I help leaders harness it to build trust, influence, and impact. I know what it means to lead when the odds are stacked against you. My journey has shaped my mission: to help leaders own their stories, amplify their presence, and lead with authenticity in every room they enter.
A sought-after spokesperson and speaker, Dionna has presented at SXSW, SHRM, the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL), and many others. She has served as a trusted advisor on federal and state EdTech policy and has been featured on national platforms such as C-SPAN, NPR, Fast Company, CNN Money, Forbes, and EdTech Magazine.
Throughout her career, she has worked with some of the world's most recognized brands, including Thumbtack, Cisco, Fiserv, LexisNexis, and Delta Air Lines.
Recognized as a thought leader and media contributor, Dionna's accolades include the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under 40 Award, the National Diversity Council's Diversity Champion Award, the Top 100 Chief Diversity Officers in Tech Award, and Leader of the Year in 2023 by the American Consortium for Equity in Education.
Dionna attended Howard University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts from Tulane University. Active in the community, she serves on the advisory board of PowerToFly and the Board of Directors for the Pathway Community Foundation. She and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia.
DIONNA SMITH
What's the story behind
If you don't
own your story,
someone else will!
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CAPABILITIES
Skills and
I equip leaders, executives, and public officials to master the moments that matter most: the speech, the interview, the crisis, the turning point.
Through it all, I’ve learned one undeniable truth:
If you don’t own your story,
someone else will!
That belief drives my mission to help leaders, executives, and public officials harness their stories, amplify their presence, and turn moments of pressure into defining moments of leadership.
My main focus will always be
MY MISSION
"
I’ve been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, CNN Money, C-SPAN, NPR, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
I’ve spoken on national stages including SXSW, SHRM, the Grace Hopper Celebration, and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislators.
And I’ve prepared countless executives and political figures for their own high-stakes appearances — equipping them to deliver with clarity, confidence, and credibility.
STAGES
Media and
If you don't
own your story,
someone else will!
Your story is your strategy. Mine is proof!
AS SEEN ON
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TRUSTED SPEAKER
WORKED WITH
