The Intersection of Strategy and Persuasion

Grant Strategist & Federal Proposal Professional

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Grant Strategist & Federal Proposal Expert with 16 years of experience across KPMG, CSC, Booz Allen & Torres AES — $100M+ in awarded government contracts. Shipley-trained. AI-enhanced. Ready to deliver.

Daria Smith Giraud

Services

I Deliver End-to-End Proposal Solutions

By combining 16 years of federal proposal expertise with modern AI workflows, MFA-level persuasive storytelling, and professional-grade graphic design and desktop publishing, I develop proposals that are fully compliant, visually compelling, and built to win.

Proposal Writer

workers in a war room during a presentation

Strategic Planning

Graphic Designer and Desktop Publishing Services

Graphic Designer & Desktop Publishing

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100%

Compliance Rating

$8M

Protected Contract Value

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100%

Compliance Rating

$8M

Protected Contract Value

Learn more

100%

Compliance Rating

$8M

Protected Contract Value

Learn more

My Approach

Innovative approach to winning contracts

Winning federal proposals requires more than good writing and graphics. They require strategy, compliance, collaboration, and precision. Here is how I work.

Phase 1: Compliance-First Architecture

Phase 2: Strategic Storytelling

Phase 3: The 4.0 Business Case

Phase 4: Dynamic AI Compliance Monitoring

Phase 5: Shipley Team & Iteration

Phase 6: Submission Leadership

My journey began 16 years ago

Read our story

Why Choose Me

I Build Solutions to Drive Results

Spanning nearly two decades of front-line federal proposal experience across DOD, DHS, FDIC, and 20+ federal agencies, combined with modern AI tools, UX strategy frameworks, and expert-level graphic design and DTP. Few proposal professionals bring this level of compliance rigor, narrative depth, and visual execution to the same table.

With over a decade of front-line federal proposal experience across DOD, DHS, FDIC, and 20+ federal agencies, combined with modern AI tools and UX content strategy. I bring a rare dual-threat capability that most proposal consultants simply don't have.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

I have contributed to over $100M in awarded federal contracts across agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, FDIC, and the Smithsonian. I know what winning looks like.

My results →

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

My results →

SHIPLEY + AI METHODOLOGY

I bring Shipley discipline. The gold standard in federal proposal management enhanced by ethical AI workflows that accelerate drafting, improve compliance checking, and sharpen competitive positioning.

My process →

SHIPLEY + AI METHODOLOGY

My process →

UX-DRIVEN CONTENT DESIGN

Evaluators are human. I use UX principles and content design strategy to create proposals that are not just compliant, they are clear, readable, and persuasive. That is the edge.

My solutions →

UX-DRIVEN CONTENT DESIGN

Evaluators are human. I use UX principles and content design strategy to create proposals that are not just compliant, they are clear, readable, and persuasive. That is the edge.

My solutions →

My Process

Winning federal proposals requires more than good writing. They require strategy, compliance, collaboration, and precision. Here is how I work.

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01.

CAPTURE & DISCOVERY

Shred the RFP. Identify win themes, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements before a single word is written.

03.

WRITE, REVIEW & REFINE

Lead or support all writing phases. Manage color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold). Integrate SME inputs. Apply AI-enhanced drafting where appropriate.

02.

STRATEGY & OUTLINE

Develop the proposal architecture: compliance matrix, response outline, writing assignments, and schedule.

04.

PRODUCTION & SUBMISSION

Desktop publishing, final compliance check, and clean on-time delivery.

85%

Increased Client Rating

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APMP

Member Since 2011

My Commitment

I build solutions to drive results

With my proven track record, collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence, I am uniquely positioned to help you overcome challenges, seize opportunities.

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Testimonials

Trusted by Teams, Proven in Results

Whether you are a growing small business or a large prime contractor, I bring senior-level proposal expertise and commitment to your most important bids.

Ria is fantastic — creative, responsive, and incredibly efficient. Her ability to translate ideas into clean, professional concepts and deliverables exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend!
Anthony Shifflett, MBA, CP.APMP
Business Manager
It was a pleasure working with her on our high-stakes digital and print catalog. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and clear communication helped us meet deadlines under pressure. A true asset!
Greg Roper, MBA
Program Manager
Ria delivered consistent excellence. She's not just a freelancer, she's a strategic partner who brings big-picture thinking and detailed execution.
Rebekah Dyer, MFA, PhD
Vice President Marketing
Ria has been placed with several of our clients over the past few years and has consistently received positive reviews. She is very conscientious, hard working, pleasant to work with, and follows directions well.
Alison Walisko
Personnel Director

Insights

Stay Ahead in Federal Proposals

Practical strategies and lessons from the front lines of federal proposal management. From RFP analysis and AI tools to Shipley methodology and win themes.

Blog posts | Coming soon