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Women of Distinction

impact initiatives and I've fornia ten years ago for a job we are making progress. I the service of others. Along
learned a lot.” opportunity he received. Her see that there are financial, the way I've been able to
I asked Diane if she knew husband is an engineer and structural, emotional and lead people, through initia-
at a young age that she want- musician, who enjoys spend- physical commitments so that tives, classes, and being a
ed to be in Education. “I didn't ing time with their children students feel a greater sense part of academia, nonprofits,
know exactly what I wanted and exploring his passion for of belonging. There are living governmental institutions,
to do, I knew that I wanted to music. and learning communities. and communities. When I
learn more, and I wanted to Having worked in the area There are centers for transfer look back at everything, I try
achieve more so I could help of diversity for a long period students and student success to live with gratitude and
other people. I was not quite with some humility. I've had
sure within what framework other opportunities and other
that would occur. Both as an twists and turns along the
immigrant, and also someone way. However, through it all,
who is ambitious, I've always I look back and I feel grateful
looked for where the best to God that I have been given
opportunity was to advance many gifts, wonderful gifts. I
those goals. I think coming have great talents in strategic
out of higher education with work, relationship building,
a PhD and having my advisor communication and collabo-
point me in that direction was ration. Most of all, I just really
very helpful. I can't say that I love people and working in
always knew I wanted to be a collaboration with others to
teacher, but I can recall telling accomplish change.
my mother that I wanted to It is because of great
be a teacher at a young age.” women like Dr. Diane Forbes
Diane’s mom, a teacher Berthoud that we can see that
herself, told her that teaching of time, I needed to ask if centers, and there are also improvements have been
would not be the field for she felt things have gotten interdisciplinary opportuni- made. She is truly an amaz-
her as she was concerned better? “Yes, I have seen ties for them to study abroad. ing woman who has worked
about economic stability and some change and things are There are changes that I see throughout her life to im-
mobility. She worried that, getting better on our cam- in society as well. The oppor- prove the lives of others. We
as a teacher, she would not pus and other campuses. For tunities I have had, and those at San Diego Woman Maga-
be well-paid. She told Diane example, we are now paying that are available to my own zine are honored to have Dr.
what Diane tells her own more attention to increasing children, show a definite im- Diane Forbes Berthoud as a
children today, her daughter the number of women in provement in a commitment San Diego Woman Magazine’s
Maya who is 17 and her son, STEM majors, and increasing to diversity and equity. I sup- Woman of Distinction.
Joel Nathan who is 14. “Think the number of under-rep- pose what proves this best is Diane lends her expertise
about not just running things resented students, faculty the fact that there is an office to various organizations and
or being in charge of things, and staff in various roles. dedicated to this and years is often called upon to work
but think about leading, Sometimes it feels like we're ago you wouldn’t find one.” as a consultant in the areas of
being in a role where you can moving at a glacial pace as In closing, I asked Diane communication, leadership
influence policy, practice, and quickly as we can. However, what is it that she wants development, strategic plan-
procedure” with all the great when working with people readers to come away with ing, diversity, organizational
foundation that I hope they and systems, in the hopes of about her after reading her development and effective-
believe we, as their parents, instituting any major change feature. “I've had a wonderful ness.
have provided. that will be sustainable takes life, and I approached my life
Diane met her husband time. The research shows it with a lot of gratitude. My If you are interested in working
Kevin, while she was in grad- takes somewhere between faith is also an important part with Diane and improving
uate school in Washington DC five to seven years to see of my life, my faith in God, these areas within your
where he spent a number of considerable change, and and that I've tried to live my organization, contact her at:
years. They moved to Cali- because of strong leadership, life gratefully and lovingly in daforbes10@gmail.com

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