Sharing the Worthiness of a Winding Path

Diane Brennan ’88/’90M already had a nursing career when she came to Bloomsburg. But what started as a strategic way to use her tuition reimbursement eventually caused a complete change in her career trajectory with Bloomsburg students as the beneficiaries.

While working her way through the BSBA and MBA programs, Brennan discovered an interest in management. After completing an administrative residency with Geisinger, she spent the next decade as a healthcare executive before launching Brennan Associates in 2001. Through her practice, she has coached executives, leaders, and teams across healthcare, higher education, and science and engineering, including an eight-year engagement with NASA. She later completed a doctorate in behavioral health at Arizona State University.

“I learned that your first career path doesn't have to be your only one,” recalled Brennan. “Each step [is] informed by the last.”

That career wisdom eventually made its way to her fellow Huskies by way of the Ziegler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) Conference. While serving as Associate VP for Human Resources at the University of Arizona, Brennan learned about opportunities with ZIPD and volunteered to be an alumni panelist during the conference. She spent the next two days connecting with students not only during her sessions, but via lunches and informal moments in between.  Brennan was impressed by the students’ thoughtful questions and real interest in learning from panelists' experiences.

“Those unscripted moments are often where the most meaningful exchanges occur,” said Brennan. “It has been genuinely rewarding to watch them move into their careers and stay connected. Moments like that remind you why this work matters.”

Brennan also mentored a BSN student through the William ’83 and Elizabeth Bent Leadership Boot Camp. Brennan saw the same genuine curiosity and willingness to learn in her mentee as she did in the students at the ZIPD Conference.

“He was committed to his coursework, open to exploring ideas, and genuinely interested in developing his communication and leadership skills,” said Brennan. “That kind of intentionality is something many professionals spend years developing [and] seeing it in students early in their journeys is both impressive and encouraging for what they'll bring to their fields. I wish I had known earlier that relationships matter as much as credentials and the willingness to follow your curiosity is a professional skill worth developing.”

In both cases, Brennan says that the return far exceeded her investment of time and talent – something she hadn’t anticipated.

“I thought primarily about what I might offer [in terms of] experience, perspective, a few lessons learned the hard way,” said Brennan. Interacting with students keeps you connected to what matters in your field and reminds you of your own journey. There is something quietly renewing about being in a room with people who are just beginning.

“Commonwealth University gave us a foundation. Volunteering is one meaningful way to help extend that to the next generation.”

We need YOU to share YOUR unique wisdom with students! Let us know if you can help!