Diana Banister

DIANA BANISTER

Diana Banister serves as the Vice President and Partner of Shirley & Banister Public Affairs (SBPA), where she has been since 1997.  She oversees the daily activity of the SBPA staff and works closely with the firm’s prominent clientele including a Who’s Who of top conservative authors, journalists and broadcasters to develop and implement effective political and media relations strategies.  With a special emphasis on pro-active marketing and communications strategies, the firm is highly regarded by the national media and public opinion leaders in Washington, D.C.

Ms Banister has been involved in campaigns for more than 15 years, from the local school board level to statewide and national races.  She was a spokesperson for Proposition 174; the California school voucher initiative.  In 1993 she spoke to medical groups to help raise opposition to President Clinton’s 1993 health care proposal among the medical profession.

Starting in 1995, Ms. Banister served as Deputy Political Director for the Buchanan for President campaign, developing grassroots strategies and organizing volunteers and campaign supporters in the first Caucus State of Alaska.  The momentum gained in that first primary victory in Alaska launched the campaign into victories in Louisiana and New Hampshire and a close second place in Iowa.  Ms. Banister continued to direct field operations in the other key primary states of Iowa, Arizona, New York, California, and New Jersey.  Serving as Deputy Press Secretary during the Republican National Convention, she was able to garner major media attention for the Pat Buchanan rally.

Prior to that, Ms. Banister worked as Communications Director for the Coalition on Urban Affairs, directing daily press operations and development activities while promoting its President, Star Parker.  Ms. Banister also worked as producer for Mrs. Parker’s three-hour daily radio talk show, booking guests and developing story ideas for the program.

Ms. Banister is an occasional guest lecturer for Campaigns & Elections Magazine campaign schools, The Leadership Institute, Georgetown Journalism School, the Conservative Political Action Conference, and other venues.  She is also a freelance writer on cultural and religious issues.

An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Ms. Banister directs music for several churches in the Washington DC area. She is active in a number of ministries and non-profit organizations focusing on the sanctity and dignity of human life.