Welcome to my website, an online portfolio showcasing some of my recent projects.

I hope it gives you an idea of the breadth of skills I’ve acquired and the talents I can bring to an organization. But I know only too well that the person behind the skill set is just as important to a team, so allow me to introduce myself here. If you like my work and, after reading this, think I might be a good fit with your organization, I hope we can talk further.

I love to read and not long ago reread The Call of the Wild, Jack London’s magnificent story of Buck, a dog kidnapped from his comfortable life and transported to the Klondike, where he has to learn how to survive. As I read, it struck me that the physical prowess Buck developed was no more critical to his survival than his mental toughness. He took change in stride and adapted quickly to his new circumstances, quickly acquiring new knowledge and skills. His intelligence, character, and willingness to work hard were key in propelling him to the head of the team.

The current buzzword for all that is “grit”, and I have it. Not much rattles me; in fact, I’ve been praised as steady under pressure in more than one annual review. I've learned to be agile in adapting to change, dealing with shifting priorities, and balancing heavy workloads. I can usually find something to laugh about to relieve the general stress. 

I’m at my best when I’m in a job that requires me to roll up my sleeves and manage in all directions. 

Having worked for a variety of organizations, large and small, I’ve embraced the roles of marketer, corporate strategist, writer, editor, public relations principal, and advisor to senior management. I love being the hands-on leader of a great team, whether working with colleagues in a department or managing outside contractors. 

Throughout my career, I have sought out jobs that offered me an opportunity to challenge myself and learn new skills and industries. 

With each job, I’ve burnished a skill and/or acquired new knowledge. At Nortel, I became the go-to person in my division for market analysis; at Champs-Elysées, I became skilled at multichannel direct-to-consumer marketing; at ICA, trade show marketing and public relations were my focus; and at Christ Church Cathedral, I’ve acquired new expertise in development communications and social media. Each job has built upon the one before and made me a more effective leader. As the CEO of Informatics Corporation of America said in my annual review, “Dianne’s ability to leverage the full breadth of her experience and apply it to a new industry is impressive, combined with her ability to fit well from Day 1 with the ICA team.” 

I enjoy finding creative ways to move an organization forward, and I have functioned as an “intrapreneur” in every position I’ve had. 

I know that these days, it’s not enough just to leverage existing skill sets. Nor is it enough to keep pace with emerging technologies and platforms. Today there is an imperative to sift through the hype to find creative ways to integrate promising new opportunities into the marketing and communications mix without jettisoning reliable older marketing channels. Doing new things comes naturally to me—and I find the process of testing myself and succeeding exhilarating.

So there you have it—a little bit about me. I hope it’s enough to pique your interest. I am ready for a new challenge, looking for the right opportunity, and eager to hear about your plans and needs. I might be just the person you’re looking for. Let’s find out.