Diane Vigil

Diane Vigil, who moved to Stockton, California, as a child, came out of her first retirement from Dameron Hospital Foundation to lead development at the Stockton Symphony. Our conversation with Diane reveals her dedication to our community.

HLM: What’s your occupation?
DV: I’m development director for the Stockton Symphony. In 1988, after having my fourth child, I took a part-time job as executive assistant to the Dameron Hospital Foundation. Even though part-time, there wasn’t enough work to occupy my day so I read all of the meeting minutes and decided to interview foundation founder Elizabeth Rea. She suggested I interview Rick Paulsen and my life changed. He suggested a golf tournament, and the Dameron Golf Classic was born. The part-time job turned into a full-time job and my title as executive director. Over my 32 years at Dameron Hospital Foundation, I became the hospital spokesperson and raised millions for new technology and equipment. Personal growth came out of saying yes to new and sometimes scary opportunities. The only limit to my growing, learning and success was fear of self. It was a difficult decision to retire in 2020. The retirement lasted six-months with a new and scary opportunity to join the Stockton Symphony as development director.

HLM: How long have you lived here? What do you love most?
DV: Sixty years. I’m giving away my age but I was in Meridian, Idaho, for the summer when my parents moved to Stockton from Bakersfield. I arrived by Greyhound Bus a few weeks before starting fifth grade at John Adams Elementary. Side note: I rode the bus alone!

I am a proud Stocktonian. My Dad’s job was a two-year obligation but once living here my Mother said, “We aren’t moving, it’s green up here.” Mom acted since the age of five and was enthralled with community theatre and proximity to San Francisco. What I love most about Stockton is its diversity; we are so blessed to have a wide variety of arts and cultural experiences right here in our hometown. 

HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
DV: This is where I grew up, work and raised my family. Our entire family lives in the area. I serve to ensure a happy future for not only my family but the thousands of families that call Stockton home. From a very young age I have volunteered and enjoy the feeling of giving of myself. We often look at philanthropists as those who give money, but we who give our time and talents for the love of humankind are an important element of philanthropy. I have served on a variety of boards and currently serve as work force development chair for San Joaquin County and Association of Fundraising Professionals.

HLM: What sparks joy for you?
DV: Family get-togethers, sending cards to family and friends, volunteering, live theatre, music, the beach, hugging my husband.

HLM: What’s your free time passion?
DV: Spending time with our grandchildren, cooking up a delicious meal, reading a mystery novel. Honestly, I find it hard to not work, clean or organize a file cabinet. My daughter gave me a book called The Art of Doing Nothing by Veronique Vienne. Nothing is hard work! This question took me a while to answer.

HLM: Top three bucket list goals?
DV: New windows for our 70-year-old home; visit the Holy Land; spend an entire summer in Pismo.

HLM: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
DV: My certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive, or CFRE. It was a difficult test and a lot of study and criteria to meet. It gave me a sense of accomplishment in my field of work. Tied with my CFRE is my year as president of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce.

HLM: Can you describe a key event that had an impact on your life?
DV: There are two that shaped me. The summer spent with my fraternal grandparents in Idaho. My cousin took me to a Job’s Daughters and DeMolay joint installation. I was so taken with the experience that I joined Job’s Daughters. Eventually I became Honored Queen of Bethel 83. Job’s Daughters taught me how to speak publicly, plan an event, write a newsletter, ask for donations and lead through example. The second was as student ambassador with the People-to-People program. Visiting Europe, the Soviet Union and East Berlin increased my world understanding and increased my love of being a free American.

HLM: Do you have a favorite quote?
DV: It is a scripture. Romans 8:38-39: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The second is John Donne, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”

HLM: What are you currently reading?
DV: The Art of Doing Nothing (which keeps getting interrupted with things to do).

HLM: Favorite food or dessert?
DV: Seafood, especially clams and scallops; vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce.