Diane Ford's Legacy of Giving: Investing in Women, Honoring Family, Inspiring the Future

For Diane Ford, philanthropy has always been about gratitude, opportunity, and helping others succeed.

Born and raised in Green Bay as the oldest of eight children, Diane learned early the importance of hard work, determination, and making the most of every opportunity. Becoming the first person in her family to earn a college degree was a milestone that paved the way for a groundbreaking career.

After graduating with an accounting degree in 1975, Diane joined Wisconsin Public Service, where she became the first woman in the company’s history to be hired into a professional position with a college degree. Throughout her career, she continued breaking barriers, eventually becoming the company’s first female vice president.

Along the way, Diane discovered the power of community. Through volunteer work, she built lasting relationships and friendships with many of the women who would become early leaders and champions of the Women’s Fund. She joined the Fund’s leadership team and later served as treasurer, helping create the financial structure that would support its long-term growth.

As the Women’s Fund prepared for its first $1 million campaign, Diane believed that leadership meant giving first. She made what was, at the time, the largest charitable commitment of her life to support the effort, establishing two named funds, while also supporting the campaign’s leadership team. Those funds reflect the people who have had the greatest influence on her life.

One fund honors her daughters, Melissa and Christy Ford. Diane wanted the fund to celebrate them while also teaching an important lesson about philanthropy. Throughout her career, she learned that women thrive when they encourage, mentor, and support one another. By creating a fund in her daughters’ names, she hoped to inspire them and future generations to continue the tradition of women supporting women.

Her second named fund honors two women who shaped her own journey: her mother, Marlene Dockry, and her mother-in-law, Margaret Ford. Her mother was her biggest champion, always encouraging her to dream big. Honoring both women through a lasting legacy was Diane’s way of recognizing the strength, resilience, and support they gave their families.

Her commitment didn’t end once the funds were established. Diane has continued contributing to them over the years, and she has encouraged family members to do the same. She believes a named fund is something that can grow over time, creating an even greater impact for women and girls in the community.

At the heart of Diane’s generosity is a simple belief rooted in her faith: To whom much has been given, much is expected.

She has never forgotten the people who believed in her or the opportunities that helped shape her journey. Education, hard work, and the encouragement of others opened doors she never takes for granted. Today, giving back is her way of creating those same opportunities for future generations.

Her advice for anyone considering a named fund is simple: don’t let the size of the commitment keep you from exploring the possibility. Diane wants others to know that establishing a named fund may be more attainable than they realize. Rather than making one large investment upfront, she worked with the Community Foundation to fulfill her commitment over several years, allowing her to make a meaningful gift while planning responsibly for her family’s finances. That flexibility makes building a lasting legacy achievable, and every gift—large or small—helps strengthen the mission of the Women’s Fund.

For Diane Ford, philanthropy is more than a donation. It’s a way to honor the past, invest in the future, and ensure that women and girls continue to have the opportunities to achieve more than they ever imagined.

To learn more about creating a named fund, contact the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation at 920.432.0800.