Deana Garner Smith
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Agile and accomplished professional with a unique career spanning law, compliance, and athletics administration, bringing a versatile skill set driving results in dynamic environments. Experienced in interpreting and implementing Title IX regulations, coordinating education and training across departments, and leading initiatives to strengthen organizational integrity and culture.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate Athletic Director | Deputy Title IX Coordinator | DEI Lead
Arizona State University (ASU)
Tempe, Arizona
06.2015 - Current
- Advise senior leadership and implement DEI strategies to foster inclusive environments for staff, coaches, and student-athletes.
- Lead department-wide Title IX compliance, training, and prevention initiatives impacting 600+ athletes and 300+ staff.
- Partner with Pac-12 and Big 12 Conference to create Sportsmanship and Fan Conduct policy incorporated in all conference competitions designed to provide safer and more respectful experience for teams, fans and other stakeholders.
- Spearhead strategic planning, staff development, and operational improvements across athletics and campus-wide programs.
- Oversee implementation of anti-discriminatory policies and create civic engagement and inclusive training and programming for 600+ student-athletes, and 250+ coaches and staff.
- Mentor student-athletes and staff on leadership development, professional growth, and career readiness.
- Operational oversight of multiple sport budgets, fundraising, management over 80+ coaching and support personnel, an average of 100+ student-athletes, and contract management supervision of sport competitions and facilities.
Director, Player Engagement Education & Player Security Services
National Football League (NFL)
06.2008 - 05.2015
- Designed and facilitated league-wide training on conduct policies, DEI values, and athlete wellness programs.
- Developed and presented compliance education to athletes, coaches, team owners, and on-air talent across 32 NFL teams.
- Trained and educated athletes, executive personnel coaches and on-air talent regarding gambling, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, discrimination, substance abuse and risks involving weapons.
- Led cross-league partnerships (NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS) to design risk management and safety content for players and staff.
- Partnered with community organizations to address substance misuse, personal safety, and professional development.
- Produced internal communications and multimedia resources for policy education and compliance.
Associate Athletic Director – Enforcement Department
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Indianapolis, Indiana
08.2003 - 05.2008
- Provided compliance education to 3000+ coaches, administrators, and international partners to elevate awareness of and encourage adherence to NCAA policies.
- Developed and executed three international outreach initiatives promoting regulatory alignment in sports programs.
- Led 500+ investigations and policy reviews around sports wagering, amateurism, and athlete-agent regulations.
- Partnered with 10-12 domestic and international sports organizations to provide training for 4000+ student-athletes, prospective student-athletes and parents.
- Built relationships with legal, regulatory, law enforcement and educational entities to enhance compliance initiatives.
Education
J.D. - Law
Indiana University – Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Indianapolis, IN06.1991
B.A. - English/French
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA05.1987
Certification - Athlete Development
The Wharton School of Business
Philadelphia, PA04.2015
Skills
- Inclusive engagement strategy
- Compliance oversight and risk analysis
- Collaborative strategic planning
- Custom program design skills
- Leadership training facilitation
- Workplace conflict resolution
- Educational program development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Legal research and analysis
- Compliance management
ADDITIONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- NCAA - Associate Athletic Director, Enforcement Services
- Marion County Prosecutor’s Office – Unit Supervisor Domestic Violence Unit
- Indiana Gaming Commission – Staff Counsel
Timeline
Senior Associate Athletic Director | Deputy Title IX Coordinator | DEI Lead
Arizona State University (ASU)
06.2015 - Current
Director, Player Engagement Education & Player Security Services
National Football League (NFL)
06.2008 - 05.2015
Associate Athletic Director – Enforcement Department
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
08.2003 - 05.2008
J.D. - Law
Indiana University – Robert H. McKinney School of Law
B.A. - English/French
Dillard University
Certification - Athlete Development
The Wharton School of Business