Page 40 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

Women of Distinction

anyone of the employees positive impression, or some people that stood her so much insight into
that she oversees. you can make a really bad by my side and helped the fact that although
“I’ve worked in many impression, where they me and some people people may appear
different positions over will never come back. that turned their back. different from one place
the years, but more So never forgetting who You realize that not ev- to another, deep down
importantly is what I you are, and where you erybody will be there for inside they were all pret-
learned along the way. I came from has always support, but you have to ty much the same.
have learned all aspects been true to my core too. perserver, regardless.” Diana always believe
of being a courageous You know, treat people Diana started with that not only every em-
communicator and have with respect regardless Home Depot as a part- ployee, but also every
gained a lot of self-aware- of what they have. I had time cashier and moved customer, commands
ness.” some difficult situations up the ranks working the utmost respect. “It
Diana has had the didn’t matter to me if
pleasure of working they came in to buy a
with so many people, box of screws or to rede-
Born in Colombia, with so many varied sign their kitchen, I was
Diana Kelly came to the backgrounds, in many going to assure that they
United States with her different levels of profes- were all treated equally
family when she was sionalism. This has been and all of the people
12. Her family settled in a wonderful aspect of her that worked with me
New York. They moved job, especially coming knew that this was how
from Queens to Brook- from another country we were going to treat
lyn where Diana stayed with a limited knowledge our customers.”
through high school. of the world, she quickly So, what was it that
She then attended obtained a great educa- brought Diana to Home
Marymount College in tion. Helping those who Depot? Diana’s first job
Manhattan where she needed help along the Photos Courtesy of Diana Kelly out of college was work-
majored in psychology. way has given Diana a ing at LaGuardia Airport
Diana would spend deep sense of purpose. in Queens. She was the
the next 26 years working Diana treated ev- assistant to the station
for Home Depot, moving eryone with the same manager. “I loved my
up the ranks to executive respect whether they position at the airport.
positions in the orga- were in entry-level I worked in the shuttle
nization. Perhaps not positions or CEO of the Diana Kelly area, so most of our cus-
the normal route for a company. She loved tomers were business-
psychology major, but in helping develop her men and women taking
everything Diana does in employees and showing RAISE THEM UP day trips to Washington
life she reaches back to them how much poten- and Boston and other
what she learned, espe- tial they had and being By Judith A. Habert nearby locations. Some
cially in what it means to a part of the change in days I would jump on
be a great leader. Diana their lives. Diana shared as I was growing up and in a bunch of different a plane and fly over to
is probably one of the a story that truly showed through my transition jobs. “In each position I Washington or Boston,
humblest women I have me the character of this coming to this country, held, I knew there was a have lunch and fly back.
had the pleasure of inter- wonderful woman. “I was and that's the one thing deeper reason that I was It was wonderful.”
viewing. She is grateful speaking to an employ- I'll never forget.” given the job, I learned It was at this time
for the wonderful career ee who in the course of Diana’s philosophy is something important in that Diana’s sister was
she has had and has our conversation said so needed in corporate each one.” planning her wedding
spent every one of the ‘Well, I’m just a cashier.’ I America, yet has often Diana had many and decided to take on
days in her career with looked at her and said. been overlooked in lieu moves throughout the another part-time job to
Home Depot helping to ‘You’re not JUST a cashier. of the bottom line. What country in her time with help with the wedding
lift up those around her. You're one of the most most companies don’t Home Depot, so much expenses. She applied
She has never been one important people in the realize is how much your so that she was often at Home Depot, and
to flaunt her position store, because you're treatment of people asked if she was in the she convinced Diana to
and has been down in collecting the funds and will be reflected in your military. She loved this come along with her.
the trenches with her you're the last person this bottom line. aspect, as it allowed her “My sister started to
employees, never feeling customer will see. So, you “You know over the to meet people from all fill out an application
that she is better than can make a long-lasting years, there have been over the US and it gave and I'm standing there,

40