Shawn Brogan Diddy is a distinguished scholar-practitioner and PhD candidate in Management at Walden University. Shawn’s work bridges academia and practical application, focusing on fostering positive social change through human-centered leadership practices and the integration of grief literacy into corporate culture.

Shawn’s diverse career spans roles in employment training, sales, marketing, media, and management, where she collaborated with brands, companies, and TV networks across the U.S. and Canada. She holds a master’s degree in Mass Communications (Summa Cum Laude) from Towson University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She is also certified through the American Council on Exercise as a Health Coach, Personal Trainer, and Behavioral Change Specialist, bringing a holistic approach to her work in human resource development.

A pivotal moment in her career came during her tenure as a co-host of a national television show, where a series of personal grief experiences shifted her professional focus. Shawn turned these life-altering events into the basis for her doctoral research, which explores how individuals navigate personal challenges while remaining effective in the workplace. Through her research, speaking, and consulting work, she advocates for compassionate organizational policies that address employee well-being. She is a founder of the Navigating-Grief project, a global initiative aimed at increasing grief literacy in organizations and developing strategies for more humane workplace policies.

A Telly Award winning reporter, Shawn has presented research with teams at numerous academic conferences and has written articles on topics including corporate social responsibility, grief in the workplace, and ethical leadership. Her dedication to Humanistic Management and extensive experience make her a sought-after speaker and consultant who works to advance compassionate leadership and the dignity of workers in today’s complex organizational environments.

Contact: diddy.shawn@gmail.com / shawn.brogandiddy@waldenu.edu