Spotlight: Arthur Diaz, senior corporate communications specialist
A key member of one of the smallest and mightiest teams at Sharecare, this month we’re spotlighting Arthur Diaz, who most of you know as “Arty.”
From the moment Arty joined Sharecare as a corporate communications intern in the summer of 2021, it was clear he had an innate talent for building strong, meaningful relationships with colleagues across all departments while effectively handling high-stress situations in a calm and productive manner. Celebrating his three-year “workaversary” in May, in his time at Sharecare, Arty has grown alongside the company and earned promotions, recently advancing to his current role as a senior corporate communications specialist.
As one of three team members responsible for crafting press releases, media relations, public speaking appearances, awards nominations, newsletters, blog posts, LinkedIn posts, and a variety of other initiatives – after working hours, Arty is just as passionate about writing and communication. Based in Salt Lake City, he contributes to a local magazine in his spare time and has a lofty goal of learning 10 languages, which he’s halfway towards.
* * *
Tell us about your role, Arty.
I feel lucky to be on the corporate communications team, where I first started as an intern in 2021 and am now a senior corporate communications specialist. Our team manages both internal and external communications on behalf of Sharecare through several different channels. We lead the strategy for Sharecare’s media relations, thought leadership, and reputation, so we’re responsible for all Sharecare’s press releases, speaking submissions, awards nominations, company newsletter, blog, and LinkedIn – although that’s not a comprehensive list. Sometimes, we’ll be tasked with urgent projects that fall under reputation management and need to learn new proficiencies to help. A recent example is my teammate Kappy, who’s now an expert on how BBB (Better Business Bureau) ratings work.
Our team of three is small in size yet big in impact. We work closely with teams across the organization, including account management, social, marketing, sales, legal, finance, and HR to name a few. It may be easier to list or name the teams we don’t work with. Whenever there is an opportunity for us to showcase the best of Sharecare’s capabilities and achievements, we work with the teams that are responsible for those developments. We also keep a close pulse on the conversations underway within our company and industry and take note of how those happenings impact the relationships between different entities and individuals – so that we are always prepared to be strategic in our communications and thought leadership.
What is a day on the job like for you?
It can vary depending on the needs of the company and the different initiatives underway. Every day though, my team starts our day by reading the news closely and compiling a daily roundup of the most important industry updates, alongside any company news to share with our leaders. It’s called the Executive News Briefing, and we aim to get it sent out as early as possible so that our colleagues are informed going into any meetings for the day. Then, it’s a lot of writing, problem-solving, and completing random but important projects that come up.
If it’s a day we have a scheduled announcement, I’ll be dividing and conquering outreach to journalists with my team. If there’s an upcoming opportunity or a development that we need to publicize, I’ll be meeting with teams or leaders to offer guidance on our communication strategy through our different channels.
What was your path leading up to joining our company?
Sharecare was truly the exact opportunity I was looking for when I was finishing college. I wanted to find the stepping stone that bridged all my interests as much as possible in a public relations role. My first venture into public relations was when I interned for one of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City during my junior year of college. I helped coordinate and support different events for three days in Park City at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Then, during my senior year, I was selected to be a presidential intern at Utah Valley University and had the amazing opportunity to work with the chief inclusion and diversity officer. In my last few years of college, I was also part of several research projects and was passionate about the intersections of health communication and health equity.
As I was figuring out who I wanted to be when I entered the workforce, I was referred to Sharecare’s internship program by an alum of my university who was part of a team acquired by Sharecare. Sharecare checked every one of the boxes on my list. From our exciting programs and events like the Sharecare Awards, to the way that our company strives to empower individuals of all backgrounds to understand and improve their health, I was able to combine my love of health communication, DEI, and publicity. After being able to jump in as an intern and join the cross-functional team of senior leaders responsible for creating our health equity webpage, I really hoped I could stay beyond that first three-month role – and I am happy to say I recently celebrated my three-year work anniversary in May!
Are there any causes or passion projects that are important to you?
I’m both queer and Latino, and I’m grateful to have a lot of pride in who I am and where I come from. In the past I tried to blend in to avoid a lot of the prejudice and misconceptions that accompany those identities. But as I’ve grown up, it’s become increasingly important to me to positively represent the communities I belong to and find ways to tell empowering stories in my home state.
I recently started contributing to SLUG (Salt Lake UnderGround) Magazine, an alternative publication that covers music, arts, culture, lifestyle, LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities, and more in Salt Lake City. I’ve had several bylines published digitally in the past, but this month I was excited to see a story I had written in print for the first time in the LGBTQ+ Pride Issue of SLUG Magazine!
What’s something few people know about you?
A goal of mine is to learn at least 10 languages, and I believe it’s a strong sign of respect and admiration to be able to listen to and empathize with somebody’s story in their native tongue. I idolized Cleopatra when I was a kid, because she spoke so many languages (although the exact number is disputed) and was beloved for being the first Ptolemaic ruler to learn to speak the Egyptian language.
I’m halfway towards my goal! I’d say I speak three languages well, but I know five in total: English, Khmer, Spanish, Japanese, and Thai. I grew up learning Spanish as a heritage speaker. My mom is an immigrant from Linares, Mexico, and our family moved to the U.S. when she was only eight years old. I lived in Cambodia for a couple years in my early twenties, which is why I speak Khmer. After I got back to the U.S., I actually did some contracted translation work to help train Google Translate, which didn’t have the language available until a few years ago. I took Japanese classes all through high school and for two years in college. I also studied Thai for a year in college, and it’s similar to Khmer.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Around the time I was finishing my degree, I was recognized by Utah Valley University as the 2021 Student Champion of Inclusion, and I was also featured as an Emerging Leader in Utah by the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs that summer. When I first started college at a different university, I faced several traumatic hardships with no institutional support. Fast forward to my final year of studies after transferring schools, I spearheaded the creation of a safety and reporting website for UVU. To leave behind a resource for students who face similar challenges – and to also have that work recognized, is something that I’m proud of.
What’s your ideal way to spend a day off?
I’m a huge fashion nerd, outdoor enthusiast, and music-obsessed. So, I’m happiest when I’m in nature wearing some outrageous outfit and listening to the latest contender for album of the year. On my birthday at the end of April, I hiked four miles at sunrise with my best friend in a Paolina Russo dress, and it was probably my favorite day ever in recent memory.
