ABOUT BLACKSMITH STRATEGIES
Steady counsel. Clear direction.
We help leaders prepare for uncertainty, navigate scrutiny, and communicate with purpose.
GOVERNMENT • PUBLIC LEADERS • ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THE PUBLIC
Built on experience. Focused on what comes next.
Blacksmith Strategies provides crisis, transition and strategic communications counsel for government leaders and organizations serving the public. We connect preparation, sound judgment, and practical execution to help clients move forward with clarity.
DIONNA SMITHFounder & Principal
A strategist who understands the stakes.
Dionna Smith brings experience across government, corporate leadership, public affairs, and crisis communications dating to 2008. Her work spans workforce transitions, corporate crisis response, executive messaging, public safety communications, and coordination across departments and agencies. An author and educator, she translates complex challenges into practical strategies that leaders and teams can use.
Her experience also includes leading integrated marketing and communications across creative services, websites and initiative microsites, social media, publications and event marketing. She develops executive speeches, talking points and video scripts, connecting leadership priorities with coordinated communication across channels.
As a government chief communications officer and spokesperson, Dionna leads press conferences and media briefings, manages breaking-news response and serves as the public voice during public safety and emergency incidents. Earlier, as Chief Diversity, Public Affairs and Communications Officer for a national education technology company serving more than 22 million students, she led internal and external communications, media relations, public relations and public affairs.
How we work
Understand the landscape
Listen closely. Assess the risks. Identify what matters.
Build the strategy
Align decisions, messages, audiences, and responsibilities.
Put it into practice
Prepare teams, guide execution, and adapt as conditions change.
Our commitment
Clear advice. Thoughtful preparation. Accountable action.
We believe effective communication begins with understanding people, telling the truth, and following through.
FROM OUR FOUNDER
On the Record
A Practical Guide to Crisis Communication for Executives and Public Leaders
Dionna Smith shares practical guidance to help leaders prepare for scrutiny, communicate clearly under pressure, and respond with purpose when the stakes are high.
