Marketing & Communications Strategist
Speaker • Moderator • T1D Advocate
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Jenna Van Dusen
Jenna Van Dusen
Helping audiences see familiar challenges from a different perspective.
Helping audiences see familiar challenges from a different perspective.
Drawing on more than 15 years leading marketing and communications across healthcare, technology, professional services, and mission-driven organizations, over 30 years living with type 1 diabetes, and years supporting a family member through complex health challenges, I bring practical ideas audiences can apply in their work and lives.
Jenna leads with listening, judgment, and a beautiful combination of confidence and kindness. She doesn't just offer marketing tips. She offers a refreshing way of seeing the world that challenges the status quo and adds real value to people's lives. If you are a host looking for a guest who brings deep wisdom and transparency, Jenna is the first person you should call.
— Matt Borck
Partner and Chief Listening Officer, One Group Agency
Host, The Marketing Mirror Podcast
Conversations Worth Having
Conversations Worth Having
Conversations shaped by healthcare, leadership, communication, advocacy, AI, and lived experience.
Conversations shaped by healthcare, leadership, communication, advocacy, AI, and lived experience.
These are the topics I return to most often. Each explores a different aspect of healthcare, leadership, communication, AI, advocacy, or lived experience, inviting audiences to look at familiar challenges from a different perspective.
Together, we'll explore how listening, lived experience, and thoughtful communication influence healthcare, advocacy, and better decision-making.
Living with type 1 diabetes has shaped far more than my health. This topic examines identity, perfectionism, stigma, advocacy, and the invisible work of managing a chronic illness, drawing on more than 30 years of lived experience and current research.
We'll examine why belonging influences leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and how people experience organizations.
The strongest communication begins with understanding people. This topic looks at how empathy, curiosity, strategy, and audience insight come together to create messaging that people remember and act on.
We'll look at how communication shapes culture, trust, and the decisions that influence organizations every day.
Together, we'll examine how organizations can embrace AI without losing human judgment, creativity, empathy, or brand voice.
Jenna brought a rare combination of vulnerability, clarity, and insight that made a lasting impact. She has a remarkable ability to explain the realities of chronic illness in a way that is both accessible and deeply human. An exceptional voice on patient advocacy, healthcare empathy, and storytelling that creates real human connection.
— Tami Wong
Founder of Hair Loss Pride, Alopecia Advocate,
Creator & Host of Shedding the Shame Podcast,
Bestselling Author of Hair Pride
Why I Do This Work
Why I Do This Work
Looking back, I realize I'd been advocating long before I ever called it that.
Looking back, I realize I'd been advocating long before I ever called it that.
Living with type 1 diabetes taught me to ask questions, speak up when something didn't feel right, and navigate conversations that weren't always easy. Supporting a family member through complex health challenges reinforced that lesson from a different perspective.
Those experiences continue to shape the way I lead, communicate, and show up for the people I work with. They influence the questions I ask, the stories I tell, and the conversations I hope audiences continue long after a session ends.
Experience Behind the Perspective
Experience Behind the Perspective
A snapshot of the experience that shapes the perspective I bring to every audience.
Leadership & Strategy
• Led marketing and communications across healthcare, technology, professional services, and mission-driven organizations.
• Developed engagement and education programs implemented across the United States.
Speaking & Facilitation
• Featured as a podcast guest, moderator, emcee, and speaker.
• Developed 30+ annual educational webinars.
Partnership & Community
• Built patient ambassador and peer mentor programs.
• Partnered with physicians, advocates, executives, and cross-functional teams.
Whether I'm speaking about healthcare, leadership, AI, community, or lived experience, I'm interested in the same question: How do we create conversations that help people understand one another, make better decisions, and move forward together?
Featured Conversations
Featured Conversations
Recent conference panels, podcast conversations, and media appearances that reflect the ideas explored throughout this website.
Shedding the Shame
Podcast Guest • March 2026
Living with type 1 diabetes, the emotional weight of stigma, and why lived experience matters in healthcare and beyond.
Listen on:
• Apple Podcasts • Spotify
The Marketing Mirror Podcast
Podcast Guest • April 2026
AI, judgment, and strategic marketing, and why communication resonates when it reflects the people it's meant to serve.
Listen on:
• Apple Podcasts • Spotify
Breaking Norms & Building Dreams • Radio Guest • April 2026
Community, belonging, empathy, and leadership, and why meaningful connection creates stronger organizations.
Listen on:
• YouTube
Under the Insulin, A Type 1 Diabetes Podcast Podcast • July 2026
Exploring the invisible work of living with type 1 diabetes, and how identity, stigma, and advocacy shape health and resilience.
Episode available November 2026.
Canadian Digital Marketing Summit Moderator • January 2026
Moderated a panel with four industry leaders exploring creative strategy, audience targeting, AI in paid media, and the future of marketing performance.
Interested in having me join your event, podcast, or panel?
Interested in having me join your event, podcast, or panel?
Let's Start A Conversation
Let's Start A Conversation
Every audience is different. If you're planning a conference, leadership event, panel discussion, or podcast, I'd love to learn more about your goals and how I can contribute.
I speak virtually, in person, and am open to travel. Formats and sessions are tailored to each event.
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