Diane: I was working as an IT Manager in a clothing manufacturing company and was the lead on an ERP package they were installing—it was there I got the bug for what ERP can do. A friend of mine who worked at SAP recommended if I wanted to stay in IT I should check out the company. At that time, no one really knew what SAP was and ERP looked very different from what it does now.
My 1994 interview was at the humble Lester offices; there were three people and it was done so well. The clear message I walked away with was: “This is where we’re going. Get in early and help create our future.” We were—are—a learning company that thinks about tomorrow. Our team is able to explore and learn. That’s what I wanted. By the end of the interview I had a job offer, I accepted and the rest is a blur!
What projects are you currently working on that you are excited about?
Diane: Increasing the impact Presales colleagues have working with our customers in the sales cycle. This organization [Presales] has been around a long time and we’re working to increase the opportunity to showcase our innovation, leveraging our entire team and sharing practices globally.
It’s about working with our customers in a way we haven’t before and that means helping them recognize what’s possible with our platforms and moving them away from seeing us only as an applications and technology company. Doing that artfully and elegantly—mapping the way for a company to utilize an entire platform—it’s a huge change for our organization to make, a huge shift. And we’re capable of it too.
Another project I’m excited about is the program we are putting the final touches on to help get U.S. Military Veterans to work, which we’ll launch in Q4. During my previous role as COO in April 2012, I realized we have a real issue with the number of people in the marketplace trained on our HANA, D&T, Mobility and BI products. I remember thinking “We have to do something about this,” and saw an opportunity to train our Veterans and work together with our partners to place them in the market. Not only does it solve a business problem but it reinforces SAP’s commitment to social responsibility and improving the lives of people everywhere.
What’s on your bucket list?
Diane: I want to travel to all the continents and I have two left open: Africa and Antarctica. To me…I like new things, I’m adventurous, inquisitive. Seeing new cultures is fascinating and I bring back mores, customs and cultures that help me be a better leader, whether that’s in business or my life in general.
SAP has given me the opportunity to do two international rotations (I call myself a Professional Gypsy) in Germany from ’95 to ’96 and Asia from ’07 to ‘10. I like the quest to check out new places and learn new habits and rituals. Absolutely that has helped me become a better global leader.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Diane: A teacher. What I do now outside of work is mentor young professionals who are a few years out of college and help them navigate corporate America. It’s not easy, and it’s something I derive a lot of personal satisfaction from. In fact, when I’m not working any longer, I’ll continue to mentor young people, certainly.
What are some of your passions and hobbies that you enjoy outside of the office?
Diane: Bike riding. My husband Ken and I make it a point on weekends to take long rides through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, logging 40 to 60-mile days, anywhere from late spring to mid-fall. We’ve been doing that for the past 10 years.
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
Diane: Hilary Clinton. This woman has had quite a career and now she’s Secretary of State. It’s an enormous job with tremendous responsibility. Even being married to Bill—that’s part of the package! I’d love to know how she does what she does.
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