A friend, whose father was the head of grounds at Harvard, told her he had a contact at the Alumni Records Office and urged her to apply for a job. It was 1969. Only later did human resources ask her to fill out the application. She moved in 1973 to what was called at that time the Associated Harvard Alumni, now the HAA, as a secretary, soon becoming indispensable to the men then in charge of Harvard clubs, classes, and reunions. I do have an ability to make things work well.
Victory is in the details.
But Diane's style was so evenhanded and participatory that she quite undid any resistance that might have been there. She creates confidence by doing what she says she is going to do and leads with an uncommonly personal touch, Truslow adds. She disarms people by showing them her own fallibility, and confiding in them. It levels the playing field so we can get what needs to be done done. She is a tough boss, which you have to be in this job, but sensitive and competent enough to deal with and motivate alumni.