Diane Werner describes herself as a social entrepreneur — someone who believes that innovative, entrepreneurial thinking can improve lives and strengthen communities. Drawing on her background in branding and nonprofit leadership, she has spent much of her career identifying social challenges where traditional approaches were falling short and creating practical, relationship-centered alternatives.

In 2013, Diane founded Mosaic of Westchester because she believed that many organizations and institutions in her county genuinely wanted to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community but lacked the tools and guidance to do so confidently. Mosaic was designed as a practical resource that would inevitably act as a catalyst for change. The organization became an important force for inclusion throughout Westchester and continues today as part of the Westchester Jewish Council.

In 2021, Diane founded the Futures Fellowship because she believed that traditional mentoring programs rarely provide the sustained support and meaningful connection that young adults need to truly thrive. She and her fellow mentors developed a whole new approach to mentorship — one built not around occasional one-on-one guidance, but around long-term relationships and a collaborative model in which multiple mentors support each Fellow over time. Over the past five years, 35 Fellows have become part of the Futures Fellowship ecosystem.

Diane began her professional career in advertising at Ogilvy & Mather and later launched WB&E Realty, a real estate investment company. She holds both an MBA and an MA in Journalism from Columbia University. Those experiences helped shape her interest in organizational strategy, branding, institution-building, and leadership.

Her philanthropic leadership has included service on the Executive Board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Board of the Westchester Jewish Council, the Cabinet of the Jewish Life Department for UJA-Federation of New York, and as President of Westchester Hebrew High School.