Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor

Transformational Speaker | Organizational Culture Consultant |
CEO, Dr. Diane’s Adventures in Learning

Follow Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor

“Your talk was by far my favorite of the conference! I think it was the most relevant and useful!! Thank you for recharging everyone’s batteries and giving great ideas to inspire learning!!”

–Kelly Brenner, Ready Region Southeastern

SPEAKING TOPICS:

Wonder, Curiosity, Connection, Play – Weaving the Colors of Empathy into a Coat to Help Your Teams Weather Life’s Storms
From Preschool to the Boardroom – Playful Leadership Transforms Lives
It Starts with a Seed – Growing the Problem-Solvers Our Planet Needs

PROFESSIONAL BIO

Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor empowers corporate leaders to reimagine the workplace by harnessing the strategic advantage of play, empathy, and creative problem-solving. A dynamic speaker and consultant with nearly 30 years of experience as an educator, museum innovator, and founder of an award-winning preschool, Dr. Diane delivers high-impact keynotes and workshops that drive engagement, spark innovation, and foster resilient, collaborative teams.

As CEO of Dr. Diane’s Adventures in Learning and host of the Adventures in Learning podcast, she elevates the voices of change-makers who embody joyful leadership. A Certified Big Talk Academy® Speaker, she has ignited audiences at top-tier conferences including NAEYC, SECA, CAST, and the Association of Children’s Museums.

Dr. Diane’s approach is rooted in neuroscience, educational design, and corporate storytelling—demonstrating how playful leadership and empathetic communication are not just “nice to have,” but essential tools for cultivating adaptive, forward-thinking teams. Her mission is clear: help companies grow cultures that value curiosity, connection, and the kind of fearless joy that fuels transformation from the inside out.

If you want your leadership team to think differently, lead courageously, and build a people-first organization, Dr. Diane is the speaker you hire when you’re ready for real change.

Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor – Speaking Takeaways & Organizational Impact

Dr. Diane addresses core organizational challenges—burnout, disconnection, low engagement, lack of innovation—by transforming how teams think, collaborate, and lead through play, empathy, and storytelling. Her keynotes and workshops offer tactical and philosophical frameworks grounded in neuroscience, educational psychology, and systems thinking.

Core Speaking Takeaways for Corporate Audiences

Play is Strategic, Not Silly
- Redefines play as a serious leadership tool that unlocks creativity, adaptability, and collaboration.
- Shows how play-based strategies reduce stress, increase resilience, and enhance executive function.
Empathy is a Performance Driver
- Teaches leaders how to embed empathy into organizational culture to boost psychological safety and trust.
- Helps reframe empathy as a catalyst for innovation, not just emotional support.
Creative Problem Solving Through Ecosystem Thinking
- Uses metaphors from nature to help organizations cultivate environments where diverse talents thrive.
- Offers practical methods for redesigning learning and leadership ecosystems aligned with company goals.
Storytelling as a Culture-Shift Mechanism
- Empowers teams to use storytelling to align values, foster connection, and strengthen mission buy-in.
- Facilitates exercises where leaders identify and communicate their “why” to inspire aligned action.
Joy-Driven Work Cultures Yield ROI
- Provides evidence that joy, curiosity, and wonder improve retention, engagement, and innovation.
- Outlines steps to shift from compliance-based cultures to creativity-fueled environments.

Dr. Diane Solves Your Organizational Problems.

Problem	Dr. Diane’s Solution
Low team morale	Introduces playful leadership to reenergize culture and improve engagement
Burnout & disconnection	Empathy-based frameworks and experiential learning to rebuild trust and cohesion
Innovation stagnation	Promotes systems thinking and cross-disciplinary creativity through nature-based analogies
Poor communication	Storytelling and connection strategies that enhance clarity, influence, and collaboration
Lack of developmental growth	Designs professional learning ecosystems that support adaptive learning and leadership

Noteworthy Achievements

Founder & CEO of Dr. Diane’s Adventures in Learning: A global initiative that empowers educators and leaders to integrate play, storytelling, and STEM/STEAM for transformative growth in learning and leadership.
Host of theAdventures in Learning Podcast: Featuring interviews with innovative educators, scientists, and thought leaders to inspire creative problem-solving and inclusive leadership.
Certified Big Talk Academy® Speaker: Selected for her ability to connect deeply with audiences and lead transformational conversations at scale.
Award-Winning Educator and Preschool Founder: Recognized for developing pioneering early learning environments rooted in creativity, empathy, and inquiry-based education.
Featured Speaker at Major National Conferences:
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
- SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association)
- VAAEYC (Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children)
- CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology)
- Association of Children’s Museums
- Play Coalition
- Kesler Science
- Steve Spangler’s Science in the Rockies
Recognized Thought Leader in Playful Leadership: Consulted by organizations seeking to infuse empathy and creativity into their corporate cultures to improve employee engagement and innovation.
Endorsed by Influential Leaders:
- Steve Spangler, award-winning science communicator, praised her as a “transformational moment for teachers.”
- Tricia Brouk, Founder of The Big Talk Academy, describes her as “the speaker you need” to ignite company culture and business growth

Publications & Educational Resources

Curriculum Development:Collaborated with Steve Spangler Inc. and Kesler Science to create hands-on STEAM programs and professional development workshops for educators.
Professional Development Workshops:Developed and led workshops such as “Beyond Ever After STEAM Workshop,” focusing on integrating multicultural picture books with STEM/STEAM activities to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills in early childhood and elementary education.
Podcast Host:Hosts the “Adventures in Learning” podcast, where she explores connections between picture books and STEM/STEAM, featuring interviews with authors, educators, and thought leaders.