Dianna Van Horn began her long association with the American Red Cross as a swimming instructor in high school. From there she taught first aid and CPR classes for many years before her first exposure to the disaster side of the Red Cross during Tropical Storm Alberto in 1986. Since then she has worked as a public affairs volunteer and has been helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster.

After deploying to more than 25 disaster responses both here in Florida and across the country, Dianna has established a reputation as someone to count on when those affected by disaster need information to help them begin recovering from what may be the worst days of their lives.

She’s spent the last 30+ years learning everything she could about disaster response and she’s currently applying this knowledge in her role as a public affairs volunteer and the regional communicator’s peer partner, where she’s responsible for supporting day-to-day public affairs efforts while also helping to build capacity across the region’s 35 counties. She’s helped in this effort by having earned a masters from Florida A&M University’s communications program and through her experiences as a former newspaper reporter and editor, and radio news director.

Based in Northwest Florida, Dianna is best know for her contributions to public affairs and disaster training – as she teaches for both the Red Cross and its government partners. When she isn’t busy responding to disasters for the Red Cross, you can find her reading, taking photos, or simply enjoying retirement with her husband of almost 50 years.