Abbe - UPH
At Large

Diane has more than 40 years of experience working as a nurse and leader in the non-profit world in a variety of leadership roles and currently serves her organization as the Vice President of Innovation and Clinical Services. In her role she has been instrumental in the development of and expansion of services for individuals living with brain health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries. She has helped her organization and the communities in which she has worked develop new and innovative services especially in the rural communities. She has worked tirelessly to educate communities and legislators on the need for services and funding supports so that all people can live in the community of their choice. 

Diane has been a part of the development and expansion of crisis services in Eastern Iowa. Working collaborative with other community partners to develop the Linn County Mental Health Access Center and GuideLink Access Center in Johnson County. This collaboration has provided a new access point with no wrong door for individuals in crisis and has helped to reduce barriers to access to services for not only the local communities but across the state. 

Diane continues to work hard at creating programs to fill the gaps in our system of care. She currently serves on the Mental Health and Disabilities Services Commission and chairs the East Central Region Advisory Committee. She is dedicated to reducing the stigma of brain health conditions and dedicated to the continued development of services for individuals in need.

Diane first joined the IACP Board as chair of the Residential Advisory Committee in 2015 and 2016. She was elected to a 3 year at-large position in 2017. She was elected again in 2021 to serve as the Residential Advisory Chair. She has been a member of the IACP Membership Committee and also is a member of the IACP Nominations Committee. Diane was awarded the Executive of the Year Award from IACP in 2021. 

Diane’s personal lived experience with family members struggling with brain health conditions and suicide creates an intense desire to change the way that brain health care is treated. She believes that we need to provide health care for brain health in the same manner that we do physical health. We need to ensure that anyone living with brain health conditions receives the care they need in a respectful and caring manner and we need to create environments where it is OK to talk about it. 



Diane has been married to her high school sweetheart, Pete, for over 4 decades. One of her greatest joys is spending time with her 9 grandchildren, and she looks forward each summer to Grandma Camp where parents aren’t allowed to interfere with Grandma and the camp events with all the grand kids.