Diane Herman is a partner in Cincinnatus, a Minneapolis-based strategy consulting firm. She pioneered the concept of strategic leadership, which she defines as “strong management and a committed, effective board continually focused on the powerful ideas that will advance the mission in a significant way.”

Before joining Cincinnatus in 1990, she was a marketing professional at the Pillsbury Company, where she developed competitive business strategies for both mature and emerging businesses. Prior to her marketing career, she worked in public policy positions with the Governor of Minnesota and the Minnesota Senate majority leader.

Diane has a long history of community involvement and currently serves on the board of Minnesota Humanities Center and as a board member emeritus of Graywolf Press. She lives on the Saint Croix River, a National Wild and Scenic River, where she and her family can indulge in their love of the out-of-doors. She and her husband have traveled extensively throughout the world.

Education: MBA in marketing from the Carlson School of Management; BA degree from the University of Minnesota.

Lives: Downtown Minneapolis (overlooking the Mississippi) and Scandia (overlooking the Saint Croix.)

Quote: “I grew up in Red Wing. I’ve always been fortunate to be on the river.”

Family: Husband John (an environmental attorney) and three grown children.

Hobbies: Gardening, kayaking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing.

Interesting books: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. “I love food, preparing food and gardening, and I have a strong interest in sustainable food systems.”

Favorite Mississippi River location: Trails on the west side of the river north of the Hennepin Avenue bridge in Minneapolis. “It is in the heart of downtown but feels very natural.”

Memorable Vacations: Kayaking, among other places, in India, Chile, Baja California and New Zealand. Read more…