Kalen Academy
Named a 2026 Top Thinker in Local Government by the United Kingdom’s leading organization supporting local government policy and practice (LGIU), Diane is an internationally recognized civic leader, author, speaker, and founder of Kalen Academy — a trusted AMCTO Leadership Hub affinity program partner. Her work in civic culture renewal has helped catalyze a movement to renew civility and trust in public life.
A former city manager in British Columbia, Diane is best known for her incisive diagnosis of toxic civic environments and for developing a practical, field-tested roadmap for renewing civic culture. Her framework is now used by municipal leaders across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Her published works include the bestselling Save Your City: How Toxic Culture Kills Community & What to Do About It, Civic Resilience, and the forthcoming Lead with Civility: A Practical Guide for Uncivil Times, as well as regular columns in Municipal World and Public Sector Digest. Her Civic Wisdom newsletter shares ancient wisdom for modern civic leaders, including expert conversations and practical resources.
Through her global civility tour and leadership programs, Diane has engaged with thousands of public servants, sharing tools and wisdom to strengthen trust, resilience, and ethical leadership. Her work is grounded in the belief that we flourish in healthy, sustainable communities where good governance, servant leadership, and compassionate culture support the flourishing of all.