Who We Are

Dickinson Keyes Communications, founded by Joan D. Dickinson, is a professional development and educational coaching company. It is home to the TLC for the Savvy Student brand — a book and framework built on Teamwork, Leadership and Communication.

The company’s mission is to empower students, educators and organizations to cultivate stronger humanist skills.

With 27 years in higher education, Joan D. Dickinson offers books, workshops, coaching and speaking engagements that can transform how individuals learn, lead and collaborate.

Book cover titled 'TLC for the Savvy Student,' focused on teamwork, leadership, and communication coaching for teens and college students, with an illustration of a human head silhouette with a lightbulb made from gears inside.
A woman with medium-length brown hair, wearing a black blazer and a patterned top underneath, smiling with visible teeth, and a gold necklace. The background appears to be an abstract painting.

About Joan D. Dickinson

Joan D. Dickinson is the founder of Dickinson Keyes Communications, a learning and leadership company dedicated to helping students, educators and non-profit organizations strengthen how they collaborate, lead and communicate.

Inspired by her 27 years in higher education including 10 years as an adjunct, Joan created TLC Strategies to bring the vital humanist skills to a broader audience.

A lifelong educator and communicator, Joan has written and taught courses at a leading research university that blend purpose with practice including Storytelling for Social Justice, Communication Methods and Strategies and Working in Teams.

Through her workshops, coaching and speaking engagements, she helps learners of all ages develop confidence, clarity and connection - the foundation for authentic leadership and meaningful learning.

Her leadership and community work have earned her multiple honors, including the New York State Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service, the Presidential Award from the International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) and recognition as a Town of Brookhaven (New York) Hometown Hero for directing a COVID-19 donation program that delivered over one million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) and 18,000 meals to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Other Titles by Joan D. Dickinson

In addition to TLC for the Savvy Student: Teamwork, Leadership and Communication Coaching for the Teen and College Years, Joan is also the author of a children's book, It's Halloween-a-doon!, and an early-career biography, Bill Gates: Billionaire Computer Genius.

Discover the tools needed to thrive in school, career and community with the TLC Strategies.

Complete the form for more information on books, workshops, coaching and speaking engagements for high school and college students, business professionals and community organizations.

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