Born in Vientiane, Laos, Diane Phakonekham immigrated to the United States as a young girl with her family, seeking refuge from the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Today, she is a devoted wife of over 25 years and a proud mother to three adult children: her daughter, Erynn-Nicole, 26, and twin sons, Kyle and Kobe, 23—both of whom are on the Autism spectrum. Diane currently serves as the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California (BBBSCC), a position she has held for more than 15 years. In this role, she oversees mentoring programs across Madera, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties. With over 33 years of leadership experience in both public and private sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise, vision, and compassion to her work. She is also the Co-Owner of Lake View Escapes LLC, a business venture that reflects her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to family and community development. A proud alumna of California State University, Fresno, Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling, with minors in Psychology and Criminology

Under Diane’s visionary leadership, BBBSCC has become a nationally recognized affiliate among the 250 Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters worldwide—earning distinction for exceeding national benchmarks for seven years. This year BBBSCC is awarded the National Platinum Award. She has also spearheaded the dramatic growth of the agency’s site-based High School Bigs Program, expanding from one school district to twenty-one and setting a national model for success. Deeply committed to youth empowerment, Diane believes: “Giving a child hope and helping them see their full potential is the greatest achievement we can strive for.”