Diane T. Penola

first learned about the the power of coaching from a chiropractic practice management organization. She was taught the value of positive expectation, affirmations, goal setting, and accountability. Since that time she has come to recognize the vital importance of gratitude, faith and belief. Planning a future must also take into account the highest good for all concerned, not just a single minded perspective.

Diane prepared for life coaching with the Behavioral Health and Leadership Training Institute and is a volunteer coach with Dress for Success, Northern NJ.

Background:

Diane entered college planning to become a kindergarten teacher. She transferred to Columbia University where she graduated with a BS in Dental Hygiene. She worked in two dental offices and a shoe store while her husband finished school and opened his chiropractic office. They worked together to build the practice and put the positive principles into action.

Diane was privileged to be able to be at home with her four children. Her gratitude for their presence and good health led to a ten year volunteer span with Morris County Family Services. Her dad was a recovering alcoholic and that resulted in a ten year volunteer commitment with Kinnelon's Municipal Alliance for drug abuse prevention.

Diane decided to go to graduate school. After her first semester at John Jay College her husband died. She took some time off and with the help of family and friends was able to complete her degree in Criminal Justice five years later. That experience led to the opportunity to author encyclopedia articles and to lecture at the college level as well as for continuing education courses for the dental community. She gained membership on a DMORTeam and helps with victim identification in disaster settings. She recently retired from active dental hygiene in a general preventive practice where she enjoyed witnessing the growth and achievement of her patients at their six month dental check ups. She participated with the Cheerful Heart Dental Mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Diane has completed the Landmark Curriculum for Living.

Diane's family has experienced anxiety and depression, fatal motor vehicle accidents, emotional and financial stress, career crises, heartbreak and despair, loneliness and discouragement. Victory slowly achieved has been cause for even greater thanksgiving.

Being a hospice volunteer and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care are two ways that Diane continues to provide community service. She is also a volunteer with the Interfaith Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity.

Because she never quite gave up the idea of teaching kindergarten she got her substitute certification and gets to do it without going to faculty meetings.