This conversation was recorded LIVE in 2021. In this Taking20 session, you get to meet one of my college friends and my sorority "Pledge mom" Diana Tedrow. I am DEFINITELY not what you would think of when you say "sorority girl". In fact, I left the University of Iowa in the middle of my Sophomore year to go be a singer in Florida. That also lead to me selling shoes and running karaoke shows to make ends meet. But, THAT is definitely a story for another time. Diana and I instantly connected and we have stayed friends since college. Back in the day, we had big hair (Diana had VERY big hair :-)) and big dreams. We were often the late night people and we joke now that we are always the first ones to sleep on girls' trips and we often share the latest books we have read, rather than the latest pop music gossip like we did in the 80's and 90's. 

Diana says her biggest turning point was when she went into foster care at 16. She says her foster parents became role models and gave her a sense of responsibility to others and passion for making a difference.

Diana has been married for more than 20 years to her husband Brian Tedrow. They have three sons and Diana talks about them in our Taking20 segment. Diana's husband has taken on a role they never expected when two of our sons had some chllenges that required a lot of doctor visits, additional overlay programs at school, and special care at home. Diana says, "Brian has been a stay at home father to ensure we had the attention and flexibility to give our children whatever structure they needed to ensure their best outcomes." 

She is the Director of Learning and Implementation/ Sales at Cox Communications.

Diana.Tedrow@Cox.com