A self-professed assessment geek, Diana Courtney-Smith would inform you that in Myers-Briggs vernacular she’s ENFJ/P (depending on her mood), with her Strengths being Arranger, Input, Intellection, Connectedness & Strategic, leading into being a S/IC in the DISC world. What, exactly, does this mean to TERP clients? Why, that she’s perfectly designed to be the Director of Client Projects, where she brings her innate talents for collaboration, attention to detail, as well as the big picture, and exemplary customer service skills to all.
Diana has spent decades developing, launching and managing mentoring, leadership and career development programs, having worked across a diverse range of industries, including retail, higher education, medical, research, non-profit and industrial. She cut her teeth in the Learning and Development arena as a Training Store Manager for Waldenbooks before moving on to Wake Forest University School of Medicine, to serve as the Program Manager in the Office of Faculty Development. Here she used her skills to provide mentoring, leadership & career development programs for the junior medical and research faculty, with a focus on the women junior faculty.
Diana has also lent her various talents to local non-profit agencies, developing career development programs for the clients and serving as community liaison, promoting education for domestic violence prevention among healthcare, law enforcement and social services providers.
Diana received her Learning and Development Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has been a member of the Association for Talent Development, national and Charlotte chapters, since 2012. She is currently living in a cozy community just outside of Charlotte, NC with a wonderful husband who tolerates all her crazy hobbies, several nutty four-legged kids, Elton the Flashy Betta and occasionally a couple of two-legged male kids, who show up when they need some of Mom’s cooking.
Fun Facts
We asked our team members to answer a few questions to help you get to know them better!
My Role at TERP:
Director of Client Projects & Idea Gardener
5 Ways I Add Value to the Team:
Experience, a variety of perspectives (having worked in retail, academic and healthcare environments), my ability to see the “forest” AND the “trees,” which in turn, helps me help my clients to bring order to chaos! And above all, empathy.
What Movie or Song Best Represents My Approach to Talent Development?
“Drive” by Incubus. This song is a personal favorite for a number of reasons but I really think the line about “…I’ll be there with open arms and open eyes…” speaks to the necessity of being willing to embrace new ideas and to keep learning. This song also makes the case that each person needs to be responsible for their own growth and “…be the one behind the wheel.”
Finish this sentence: “The Best Mentor I Ever Had…”
…is a medley of many people that I’ve had the good fortune to work with over the years.
If I were a fictional character, I would be…
Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) – I think things that we have in common are being down to earth, enjoying a simple life, being curious, clever and creative, having a solid base of family and friends to whom we are fiercely dedicated, an innate kindness that, however, doesn’t allow room for being used as a doormat! We also have a strong sense of morality, are extremely inclusive and willing to believe the best about people, until we’re given evidence to the contrary.
Three of my core values are:
Integrity, kindness & creativity
