Diana earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee, a Master’s of Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tennessee. 

Diana began her work at Life Bridges in 1981 when she and her husband, Royce, were hired as house parents in a group home for 8 individuals with intellectual disabilities.  Diana graduated from Lee College and worked as a counselor and continued part time work at Life Bridges.  Over the next several years she served at Life Bridges as the Director of Homeward Bound, (a program for youth), then the Director of Day Services, later the Director of Case Management and then the Director of Client Services.  Diana left Life Bridges to pursue her Masters in Social Work and during the next six years she worked as a social worker in a dialysis clinic, for a home health agency, and for a psychiatric inpatient facility.  In 1996 she returned to the agency as the Director of Client Services, transitioned to the Director of Operations, and then in 2013 moved to her current position of Chief Executive Officer. 

Diana is married to Royce, her husband of over 40 years and they have a daughter, Emily. She believes that all people deserve a chance to work, learn, and succeed.  Her vision is for Life Bridges to grow and continue to be viable for decades to come, as the staff continue to support people with intellectual disabilities. Diana strengths are in problem solving, relationship building, networking, and organization.  Encouraging and building people, whether they be staff members or people supported, is a calling she is fulfilling in her work with Life Bridges.  Her work is more than a job – it is her calling. 

Affiliations:

• Member of the Cleveland Civitan Club for 35 years and was club president 2004-2005, 2016-2017, and 2021-2022

• Have taught Middle School Girls Sunday School at North Cleveland Church of God since 2010

• 1993 Superior Home Health Care Social Worker of the Year

• 2010 Life Bridges Directors Choice Award 

• 2022 United Way Lieutenant Colonel Jim Tucker Award