A native of Newtown, Pennsylvania, Diane attended Bucknell University, graduating in 1984 with a degree in business administration. While working in retail management and as a computer administrator, Diane was ordained an elder in the Newtown Presbyterian Church. She began to feel torn between her work at the church and work for her company, so, after much contemplation and soul-searching, she entered seminary at Princeton in 1989. Following seminary, Diane worked as a pastoral assistant at a large Presbyterian church and then spent time as a hospital chaplain while completing two Clinical Pastoral Education residencies.

In October 1996, she became Associate Pastor at The First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, and shortly after was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament. In her position at Yorktown, much of her time and energy was focused on Christian Education and Youth, along with preaching at least once a month and pastoral care. Since 1999, Diane became a Parish Associate at Gilead Presbyterian Church, in Carmel. Her focus at Gilead was developing Christian Education and Youth, and she also participated in worship leadership, led women’s retreats, led Confirmation Class, Coordinated Christian Arts Camp (VBS) and led Bible Studies.