Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Hurtado.
Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My career has been guided by a commitment to service, education, and creating opportunities for others. As an Army Reserve Military Police veteran, educator, and leader, I’ve had the privilege of serving across the military, K–12 education, healthcare, higher education, and technology sectors for more than 20 years. Each chapter has reinforced the importance of building relationships, leading with empathy, and helping people reach their full potential.
I began my professional journey as an educator, teaching exceptional children and later serving in healthcare education before joining Western Governors University. Over the years, I’ve held roles ranging from teacher and project manager to faculty mentor and strategic partnerships leader. Today, I serve as Senior Military Relations Manager at Western Governors University, where I support military-connected students across the Southeast by building partnerships with military installations, veteran organizations, and community leaders to expand access to flexible, competency-based education.
Beyond my professional work, I’m deeply committed to serving the military and arts communities. As the spouse of a Purple Heart recipient and 100% service-connected combat veteran, I understand firsthand the unique challenges military families face. That experience has fueled my passion for advocating for healing through the arts. I’m honored to serve on the Board of Directors for United Arts Wake County, where I help support initiatives that strengthen our communities and demonstrate the transformative power of creativity. As highlighted in the Triangle Business Journal, I believe the arts create meaningful opportunities for healing, connection, and storytelling that often transcend words.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has certainly not been without challenges. Like many military families, we’ve navigated deployments, relocations, career transitions, and the lasting effects of combat injuries. Balancing professional growth while supporting my family required resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
Professionally, transitioning between industries, from education to healthcare, technology, and higher education, meant stepping outside my comfort zone and learning new ways to lead. Each transition presented opportunities to grow while staying grounded in my purpose of serving others.
These experiences have shaped my leadership style. They’ve taught me that success isn’t simply measured by titles or accomplishments, but by the relationships you build, the people you help, and the positive impact you leave in your community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in building strategic partnerships that expand educational opportunities for military service members, veterans, and their families. As Senior Military Relations Manager for Western Governors University, I collaborate with military installations, veteran-serving organizations, employers, and community partners throughout the Southeast to connect military-affiliated learners with accessible pathways to higher education and career advancement.
What I’m most proud of is helping individuals recognize possibilities they may not have seen for themselves. Education has the power to change lives, and being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding. Whether I’m helping a transitioning service member pursue a degree, supporting a military spouse’s career goals, or strengthening partnerships that benefit entire communities, my focus remains on creating opportunities that have lasting impact.
What sets me apart is the combination of professional expertise and lived experience. As both a veteran and military spouse, I understand the realities military families face because I’ve lived them. That perspective allows me to build authentic relationships based on trust, empathy, and shared purpose. I also believe in the power of community engagement, which is why I’m passionate about supporting organizations like United Arts Wake County that use creativity and collaboration to improve lives. Together, these experiences allow me to connect people, build meaningful partnerships, and advocate for initiatives that make a lasting difference.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Raleigh is its strong sense of community and its willingness to come together in support of one another. It’s a city where education, innovation, the arts, and service intersect in meaningful ways. Through my work supporting military-connected students, serving on the Veterans Bridge Home Triangle Ambassador Board, and previously serving on the Black Box Dance Theatre Board in support of veterans’ healing through the arts, I’ve had the privilege of seeing how nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders collaborate to create opportunities and strengthen our community. Raleigh continues to be a place where people are welcomed, partnerships flourish, and service is deeply valued.
If there’s one area where I’d love to see continued progress, it’s expanding awareness and coordination of the many resources available to veterans, service members, military families, and caregivers. Raleigh is home to an incredible network of organizations dedicated to supporting those who have served, but navigating those resources can sometimes feel overwhelming. I believe we have an opportunity to further strengthen collaboration across the military and veteran community so that every individual and family can more easily connect with the support, education, employment, wellness, and healing resources they deserve. As our veteran population continues to grow, investing in those connections will help ensure Raleigh remains one of the nation’s most military-friendly and veteran-supportive communities.
Contact Info:
