A Career Path Lit by the Stars

In her concession speech, Vice President Harris said “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars”. This quote resonated with me in many ways, and seemed to perfectly capture my life and career path. The path that led me to my career and education today has been long, winding, and filled with unexpected turns. Much like seeing the stars at night, becoming a communications professional hasn’t always been “easy to see”. 

I believe the starting point of my career path began after Hurricane Hugo. I was born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. When I was 8, the “big one” hit. In the aftermath, I watched my mom and her coworkers manage the chaos with grace and compassion. My mom, who worked in federal emergency management, was the only woman in her role in our location at the time. At one point, I was riding with her on a federal government vehicle as she delivered MRE’s to neighborhoods. In the days after the storm, I remember thinking it was so cool to see my mom in a sea of uniformed men, taking the reins and leading the charge. I wanted to be like her when I grew up- finding ways to bring calm in chaos. 

Soon after the storm, my mother received an opportunity to earn her Master's Degree and we moved to the mainland. I filled notebooks with my signature, practiced writing “President Diane” in the margins, dreamed about leadership, communication, and making a difference.

After my mother graduated, she took a job with the Spokane Tribe. My years living on the reservation were pivotal in shaping my understanding of community, culture, and resilience. They were the years that set me on a path of discovery, both about who I was and about how I wanted to communicate with others. 

At 17, I left for college. At 20 I got married and 9 months later had my first child. As a new mother, I encountered a physical challenge that would change everything: I developed a tumor. But, miraculously, I recovered and became a mother to another child. 

Being sick motivated me. I didn’t want to take my time on earth for granted. I returned to school, finished my Bachelor’s degree and raised my amazing children. I nurtured my deep passion for communication (partially by becoming a full blown MySpace junkie). I joined local, nonpartisan political campaign teams and saw firsthand the power of effective communications in government.

As I moved through stages of my career, I noticed the consistent need for clear, empathetic communication. I started my journey with Gonzaga in January of 2023 in an effort to further grow my skill set. When I was accepted into the COML program, I knew it was the next step on my journey of discovery. At Gonzaga, I knew I would not only deepen my understanding of the power of communication, but also grow in leading with intention and integrity. 

In August of 2024 I presented my capstone project. Days before the presentation, a massive tropical storm hit our community. I spent 4 days straight in our Emergency Operations Center. I clocked out at 11 a.m. on a Friday and, that afternoon, presented my project on crisis communications in local government. After I closed my laptop, I couldn’t help reflecting on the little girl who watched in awe as her mom communicated so beautifully and empathetically in chaos. Now, that little girl, after communicating on behalf of a community in a massive storm, put a bow on her masters degree.

Today, I work as the communications director for Cumberland County in North Carolina, where I help bridge gaps and connect a growing community with their government. It is a role that demands clarity, empathy, and understanding, and it is a perfect culmination of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether in crisis, or times of celebration, I am grateful to find ways to inform my community.