After twelve years of dedicated service, Diane Vosen bids farewell to the Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA), leaving a legacy of impact and growth. Joining as an Administrative Assistant twelve years ago and later assuming the role of Operations Director, Diane’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements that have shaped MREA’s success.
“Sometimes when you hire, you get even more than you hoped for. That was the experience of MREA when I was fortunate to hire Diane Vosen in 2013,” says former Executive Director Fred Nolan.
Central to Diane’s contributions was her pivotal role in organizing and executing MREA’s Greater Education Summit. Under her stewardship, this signature event has grown into a cornerstone of MREA’s membership, fostering collaboration and innovation among education leaders across the state. Reflecting on Diane’s leadership, former Executive Director Bob Indihar remarked, “Diane’s attention to detail and intentional planning has really elevated the Summit, making it a place where rural education leaders go for learning and development.”
Further, Diane played a pivotal role in establishing the Future Educators Workshop, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of educators. Her commitment to fostering young talent has been instrumental in shaping the future of education in rural Minnesota.
Beyond her event management skills, Diane was instrumental in driving membership growth and enhancing board engagement and participation at MREA. Her ability to forge meaningful connections with members and stakeholders alike earned her praise as a trusted liaison within the organization. “We all knew Diane saw the big picture and would handle her end of the details,” noted Nolan.
Throughout her tenure, Diane also played a crucial role in governance, ensuring effective oversight and accountability across MREA’s operations. Her steadfast leadership during challenging times has been valued by colleagues and board members alike, underscoring her integral role in the organization’s success.
Boyd Bradbury of Minnesota State University Moorhead, currently serves as Board President for MREA. Bradbury shared, “If I had a question, Diane answered it for me. If I needed help, Diane provided assistance. If she thought I needed to reconsider my position as a board member, Diane would provide me both solicited and unsolicited advice. I already miss Diane’s expertise, institutional knowledge, and willingness to provide candid suggestions when I wasn’t sure of the best course of action for MREA. Moreover, most of the time, Diane made me laugh. I’ll miss the good-natured banter that I had with her.”
Another board member, Jim Ferden of Win-E-Mac Public Schools, shared his reflections, “From the very beginning of my time on the MREA Board, Diane was very helpful and welcoming. During my time on the Executive Committee, Diane was a valuable resource since she had been with MREA longer than most, if not all, on the committee. She always provided valuable perspectives on whatever we were discussing. I am grateful for Diane’s time with MREA. MREA’s success as an organization is due in no small part to Diane’s work behind the scenes.”
As Diane embarks on a new chapter, MREA expresses deep gratitude for her unwavering dedication and lasting contributions. “I appreciated Diane’s institutional knowledge and valued her as a person. Diane’s legacy will continue as we build on her good work and achievements. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her all the best,” says MREA Executive Director Darrin Strosahl.
MREA’s staff and Board of Directors extend their heartfelt best wishes to Diane on her future endeavors. Her legacy of leadership, innovation and commitment to educational excellence will continue to inspire and resonate within the organization and beyond.
As always, MREA remains committed to members through advocacy, communication, collaboration and celebration. For any questions, please contact Julie Melville, Membership Assistant, at info@mreavoice.org or Darrin Strosahl, Executive Director, at darrin@mreavoice.org.
