June 28, 2022, Rotary 14 Year-end Awards. Recently, President Christina Usher presented the highest honor bestowed to a new Rotarian, the Rookie of the Year Award, to Diane Mendenhall. Diane served as co-chair of the Program Committee which is tasked to identify and vet weekly speakers at Rotary. The weekly speaker is an essential part of our weekly meetings handled by the Program Committee. Coming out of the pandemic, it was important for members to have a conversation with community and business leaders. Diane played a critical role in ensuring we had the best speakers every week.Diane Mendenhall works at the Lincoln Community Foundation in May of 2020 as Vice President for Gift Planning. In this role, Diane assists donors in developing a meaningful and strategic approach to help meet their present and future philanthropic goals, and in turn, help build a great city. Congratulations, Diane!
Rookie of the Year Diane Mendenhall receives her award plaque from President Christina Usher
Prior to joining the LCF, Diane worked for 20 years for the University of Nebraska in several administrative leadership positions. These roles included 12 years in Husker Athletics, as John Cook’s first Director of Volleyball Operations, a Senior Associate Athletics Director, as well as six years leading the 25,000 member Nebraska Alumni Association as the Executive Director. Diane completed her tenure at the university by serving as the Chancellor’s Director of External Engagement. She was honored to serve two Chancellor’s for eight years as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet.
Prior to Nebraska, Diane was a national consultant for an employment communications company as well as a volleyball coach at the collegiate and high school levels. An accomplished speaker, Diane has presented throughout the country and internationally - speaking on empowerment, presence, leadership, and various topics. Coupled with her public speaking, she continues to be involved with numerous local and national non-profit organizations. A native of Ogallala, Neb., Diane is an alumna of the University of Kansas. She was a four-year starter for the Jayhawk volleyball team and a team captain as a senior. Many of you know her as the former radio analyst of Nebraska Volleyball for 16 years.
Prior to Nebraska, Diane was a national consultant for an employment communications company as well as a volleyball coach at the collegiate and high school levels. An accomplished speaker, Diane has presented throughout the country and internationally - speaking on empowerment, presence, leadership, and various topics. Coupled with her public speaking, she continues to be involved with numerous local and national non-profit organizations. A native of Ogallala, Neb., Diane is an alumna of the University of Kansas. She was a four-year starter for the Jayhawk volleyball team and a team captain as a senior. Many of you know her as the former radio analyst of Nebraska Volleyball for 16 years.
