Diane Olsen
Writer/Blogger

Hometown and background: I was born in Mandan, N.D. and have moved around every since. Spent my childhood in Seattle, Wash., where I received my B.A. in Speech/Language Pathology from Washington State University (go cougs) and did my M.A. work at Western Washington University. We moved a number of times, landing in Houston, Tex.; Bainbridge Island, Wash. and finally down to the sun in Phoenix. Just ask my son — he will tell you that he has attended seven different schools and lived in three different states! We have lived in Phoenix for seven years now and I finally don't peak out the window every morning to see if it is going to be a sunny day.

Spouse: My husband, Larry Olsen has his own company (Aperneo, which means "new perspective"), which keeps us all focused on what we want in our family and our lives. He works with organizations to help them accelerate their current level of performance by developing the existing culture into one of creative collaboration and exponential growth. Larry travels frequently and enjoys the creative process greatly.

Children: I have five wonderful children in my life — three step-children and two of my own. I will start from the top: Gretchen is our oldest daughter; she lives in Long Branch, Wash. and has a beautiful heart. Courtney is in her senior year at Western Washington University, majoring in accounting (you go, girl!!). Connor is a sophomore at the University of Washington, which is blessed to have him, but I don't hold that against him because my alma mater typically wins the Apple Cup each year. My firstborn son Don, who is our rock, handles life's transitions with ease and grace. He is in his second year at the University of Denver. Tori, whose energy lights a room, is our youngest, and a senior in high school at Xavier College Preparatory — we are dealing with college applications right now (quite a ride!). All of our children have great spirits and are full of creativity and energy that keeps us young.

Pets: I love pets! We lost two of our dogs this past year — Zoie, a sheltie, and Sadie, who was a Papillion full of love. We now have Spike, who is a Yorkie, and a six-month-old little Bernese Mountain Dog named Brody who is already 60 pounds and will be around 110 pounds when full grown. I guess that is what happens when all your kids are off to college. I am training Brody to be a therapy dog to work with people who have disabilities.

When I'm not at work I enjoy: Family, my dogs and hiking! I also do a good share of volunteering at my church and other organizations around town.

Favorite food: Dessert! Specifically, I like cake and chocolate. There is nothing like sharing a great dessert with a friend to create an adventure of the taste buds and laughter.

Favorite thing to do with my family: I love to get outdoors and hike, walk, bike, have a picnic or even fish. Anything outside with my family is always a lasting memory.

Favorite thing to do by myself: Hiking in the mountains. It gives me the time to find myself.

Most people don't know this about me: I love to dance when no one is looking and sing while I clean the house.

What I love most about Arizona: The sun, the friendliness of the people and the adventure that happens while you are hiking and a snake is rattling right in front of you!

How I came to Raising Arizona Kids: My first introduction to RAK was through my children, who went to school with some of the children of some of the fabulous women who work at RAK.

What I love most about my job: I currently have two jobs. I work as an ADHD coach with high school kids and college students, which I love because I get to use my skills as a speech/language pathologist and coach. My other job is working at Julia Baker Confections, which I also love but for many different reasons. Being a huge fan of desserts, I think the heavens were smiling on me when I was asked to join their fabulous team.