When you meet Dr. Diandra Poe, you don’t just hear a story—you feel a testimony. Her voice carries both the weight of unspeakable pain and the lift of unshakable purpose. She’s a woman who has walked through the fire repeatedly—molestation, trafficking, domestic abuse, military sexual trauma, grief, betrayal, and witnessing death—yet somehow, she walks upright, shining with a light that refuses to dim. When asked how she got to where she is today, she doesn’t hesitate: “Only by the grace of God. And here is why…” What follows is not a tale of defeat but a masterclass in resilience.
How did you get to where you are today? When you look back, what time period of your life do you consider the starting part of your journey and why?
Only by the grace of God. And here is why. I am a 3x survivor of both sexual violence and domestic violence. I was molested as a child at the age of 11 by my sister’s boyfriend, who continued to manipulate me and my family until I became pregnant at the age of 18. What is now known as trafficking, I was trafficked by my neighbor to a man in Philly, who would later father my firstborn. I was the spouse of an abusive Army veteran for nearly a decade until I joined the Army myself. Only to get to my first assignment and be raped by a superior officer in my home while my children slept just feet away. Fighting my way through my degrees post-military, I lost my mother one month after she hooded me for my doctorate. My then-second husband filed for divorce 3 months after my mother passed in 2021, and in 2023, I witnessed a young man be shot and ultimately die in front of me. I am here today because God knows He can use me. When you look back, what time period of your life do you consider the starting point of your journey and why? My starting point was in Germany in 2003. When I learned that a spouse’s wife had taken her life. It was the catalyst for me to become an advocate in the Family Readiness Group. It started me on my trajectory of helping others find resources, help, and their voice. Mainly because I did not think I had one. I felt stuck, but I did not want that to be other spouses’ stories.
Where did you grow up? Summarize your childhood in four words.
Woodbury, NJ. “Smalltown secrets hidden well”.
What do you think sets you apart from others in your field and makes you stand out?
I understand the language of pain. It makes me attuned to those who are hurting but hide it well. I understand high achievers who have been through trauma. What sets me apart from others is that people often tell me their stories without me asking. I am often caught off guard in the most unlikely places, like the DMV, a customer service line, or a networking event. Somehow, someone connects with me, and I learn so much about them. And in some way, they feel better after they have shared.
Tell us about a time you felt overwhelmed. How did you pivot over or around this hurdle?
When I took on teaching, a full-time job, mentoring, interns, and running my nonprofit all at once, I realized I had put too much on my plate. How did I pivot? I asked for help. That was something I was not used to doing. But I came to understand that I am just one person, with the same 24 hours as everyone else. And if others are not doing life alone, why should I? Asking for help got me through. Eventually, I released some of the extra weight without feeling like I failed.
How do you balance your professional career and personal/family life?
The beautiful thing about my professional, personal, and family life is that they often blend. My son helps with my nonprofit. My father prays over me. My partner is both my cheerleader and a brilliant organizer. My best friend helps manage my schedule. This gives me the freedom to do what I love with the people I love. It also allows them to support me, see where I struggle, and celebrate the wins with me, too.
What is one lesson you have learned along the way?
You need systems to be successful. Not just one system, but several for different areas of your life. Systems for your finances, your goals, your business, your family, your mental and physical well-being, and your spiritual health. Without them, you become vulnerable to the ups and downs of life. While I have had to learn what real control looks like, I also learned that having the right systems in place helps me manage risk and stay grounded.
At the end of the day, what matters most to you at your core?
My relationship with God grounds everything I do. The more I focus on my gift and my calling, the happier I become. It fuels me. It keeps me going. The more I walk in my purpose, the more my life feels aligned. It looks like joy. It responds with joy.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as someone who led with love. I hope my family, friends, and anyone who crossed my path can say that I gave all I had with love. I do not want to leave this world holding on to anything I was given. Not just money, but love, kindness, humility, and humor. I want to leave all of that behind for others to carry. If everyone took a little piece of me with them, then I know I poured it all out and left nothing on the table.
Want to know more? Dr. Diandra Poe is the CEO of ACT2END and founder of Glass Soldier, a groundbreaking movement confronting trauma, military sexual assault, and mental health stigma. A veteran, healing strategist, and mental wealth advocate, Dr. D helps individuals and organizations move from survival to strength. Through keynote talks, trainings, and media advocacy, she empowers communities to build resilience, break cycles, and begin again—with clarity, courage, and care. Connect with her online at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdeepoe / https://www.glasssoldier.org https://www.act2end.com
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