People Over Projects: Diane Vella
Diane Vella has been with Trees, Water & People for more than 17 years, keeping our programs running, our staff paid, and our office dogs well-loved. Diane was raised in an Italian family in the bay area, and a particular interest found early in life forged her path to becoming TWP’s Finance Director.
Diane: “When I was real Iittle, I knew immediately two of my passions were animals and music. But when I started school, I realized how much I loved math – everything was about numbers for me. Still to this day, when I get stressed out, I do math problems. I just love it.”
But it isn’t just a love of accounting that has kept Diane with TWP through the years.
Diane: “I just feel so lucky to be in a place that I love, a healthy organization. And part of that comes from Sebastian being the most phenomenal person I've ever worked for in so many ways. And it comes from watching my coworkers, every one of them, and seeing their passion and their love for this place. There’s this feeling that we're kind of all one, you know? We all care about making this place better before we leave; not just leaving this job, but leaving this planet. I could do accounting anywhere, but I love doing it here. And also we have Deisha and Pesto Batman – the dogs help.”
As much as Diane has come to love TWP’s leadership, staff, and culture, a deep personal connection to our cause initially brought her here.
Diane: “My biggest reason for first working here was my late husband, who was part Native American. About a year before I applied for this job, I had heard about TWP. I just remember going online and being fascinated by what they did. And so when I saw this job posting, I knew I wanted to do something for my husband, to remember him by – as a gift to him. My hopes were that this was for Billy. That I would do something that meant something. And so I came and interviewed, and I remember that night going out for a walk and just thinking, Billy, I need to do this for you. And so I did….And that was 17 years ago.”
Diane – you’ve “done something that has meant something” every day for the past 17 years.
And we couldn’t be more grateful.
