Diane Shader Smith is a writer, speaker, educator, and communications strategist who works at the intersection of narrative medicine, health advocacy, and cultural change. A believer in the power of storytelling, she uses personal narratives to bridge divides, shape conversations, and drive action on some of today’s most urgent issues.

Diane teaches, speaks, and consults across industries, helping organizations, nonprofits, and businesses harness the power of storytelling to drive impact and influence policy. She has lectured at leading institutions—including Harvard Medical School, Stanford, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)—about the critical role of narrative in healthcare and advocacy.

Her work has taken her to The White House, NATO, Capitol Hill among many other prestigious venues where she has introduced innovative strategies to elevate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), environmental health, and mental health on the global agenda. She conceived of The Global AMR Diary to shift perspectives and shape policy, which she launched in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other leading global health organizations.