Dionna Griffin-Irons

Griffin-Irons is the longtime former Director of Diversity Talent, Inclusion, and Development for the world's largest comedy theatre, The Second City. A multi-faceted producer, writer-alumni, and fierce advocate for DIB, she's used her twenty-year expertise in the industry to bring transformation and results to large corporations, not-for-profit organizations, colleges, universities, and small companies seeking to innovate, and build inclusive teams, and/or create progressive strategies in their new anti-racism mission values. Her progressive D & I work, beginning in 2000, has been instituted at the legendary Second City comedy theatre in the U.S. and Canada, increasing representation, participation, and access to over 5000+ comedic talent in the field, including audience development for produced shows for two decades.

Griffin-Irons has keynoted and/or facilitated 200+ workshops to companies, colleges, and organizations and worked with the United States Embassy in Norway and Latvia, introducing improv as an innovative tool for inclusion and social change. Clients and organizations include NBC Universal, Major League Baseball Association, Molson Coors, Beam Suntory, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University. By building key partnerships with companies and organizations with a shared vision for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Griffin-Irons has created visibility and access to BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ voices in the field.

In her 20-year history at The Second City, Griffin-Irons has produced and mentored hundreds of artists, including Chris Redd ("SNL"), Lamorne Morris ("New Girl"), Danny Pudi ("30 Rock"), Steven Yeun ("Walking Dead"), and Robin Thede ("BET") very early in their careers before launching successful TV careers. Producer credits include 20+ Urban Twist revues, Second City’s Black History Month Show, Second City Southside, WORDS, Uninvited Guest: The Freedom Show, Deep Cuts, R.E.A.C.H and The Break Out Comedy Festival in partnership with NBC.

Her inclusion work has appeared in Diversity Journal publications, on NPR, ABC, NBC, and American Theatre magazine, along with numerous academic posts, including a 2015 TEDx at the University of Chicago. Her 2014 published work can be found in Rowan/Littlefield’s anthology "Women, Writing and Prison."

Her teaching Affiliations include - adjunct faculty at Story Studio Chicago, DePaul University, Chicago Dramatists, Arts Public, Life, and The Second City Training Center and Film School.