41 Years of Service, A Lifetime of Impact - Diane you will be missed !!!

How do you sum up 41 years of legacy in one evening? The farewell evening for Diane was a true testament to her personality. The passion, compassion, empathy, and drive to serve the disability community are hard to capture in words

I witnessed how amazing that legacy is over the last few years while serving on the Advocates Board. At every board meeting, I learned something from Diane Gould. She has dedicated 41 years of service to Advocates, including 13 years as CEO and many years before that as COO.

One thing I heard repeatedly from everyone was how humble, calm, and genuine she is—even in the midst of a crisis. No matter what challenges came her way, Diane never seemed to lose her composure. She guided the organization through turbulent times with an unwavering smile, attention to detail, and an incredible ability to work with anybody and everybody.

Diane is one of the best listeners I have ever come across. When she is with you, she gives you her full attention and genuinely wants to make you feel heard and understood. That is something I would love to take away from her example.

As a board member, I always found Diane approachable and collaborative. She listened to everyone's ideas, carefully considered different perspectives, and then made thoughtful decisions. I noticed in every meeting how patient she was, even when there were many opinions around the table. She always seemed to find the right words to answer difficult questions.

Her farewell party was filled with laughter, tears, gratitude, and praise. People from all parts of the disability community came together to give her a standing ovation. Speaker after speaker shared stories about her leadership, kindness, and how she was always there when someone needed her.

The most remarkable thing was that every person said something similar: Diane is truly one of a kind.

Diane, you will be deeply missed. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved retirement. In the meantime, the rest of us will learn how to carry forward the values and spirit you brought to Advocates every day. 

    A Kanjivaram silk for the evening—a gift from a family in Desi Moms Network. The evening shower cooled the temperature, so I could wear this beautiful saree as a tribute to a woman whose legacy we will cherish for years to come.