Charlene Diaz
Charlene Diaz is an accomplished administrative and operations professional, military veteran, and entrepreneur with extensive experience across the federal government, military, intelligence, and education sectors. As President and CEO of Charlene Diaz Consulting Group LLC, she provides business, administrative, and operational support services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, companies, and families. Currently serving as an administrative assistant at Trident Technical College, Charlene is focused on helping organizations improve efficiency through streamlined systems, operational structure, and process improvement strategies developed throughout her decades-long career.
Charlene’s leadership journey began in the military, where she advanced from enlisted soldier to executive officer in the US Army, gaining expertise in administration, logistics, intelligence operations, and organizational leadership. Following her military service, she held key leadership and operational roles within federal agencies, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Her work supporting executive leadership, overseeing complex operations, and implementing process improvements helped organizations operate more effectively while ensuring compliance, accountability, and mission success. Charlene credits much of her professional growth to the discipline, leadership, and adaptability she developed during her military career.
Known for her ability to support organizations at every level, Charlene has built a reputation for effective communication, collaboration, and operational excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Francis Marion University, advanced education in business and leadership, and certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Scrum, and professional life coaching. Passionate about mentorship and professional development, she is currently developing a mentorship program for administrative professionals while continuing to grow her consulting business. Charlene remains committed to empowering organizations through structure, service, leadership, and continuous improvement.
• Lean Six Sigma Certification
• Scrum Master Certification
• University of Phoenix
Master of Business Administration - MBA
• Troy University
Masters, Foundations of Education
• Francis Marion University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Biology
• St. Jude's
• Family member's mental health nonprofit
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my military background and the skills I gained from my time in the military. I didn't really realize the impact of my skill set until I was at XM Bank working for the Office of Inspector General. That's when I understood there was something pretty special about my abilities. I've always been a process improvement person who likes to streamline processes and put systems in place for organizations. I believe that my skill set and what I do has definitely been shaped by my time in the military and the experiences I gained from being in the military. My discipline and the leadership that I gained from that experience has really put me on a path of success and being successful in this area.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell her 100% do it. But she has to know that she is there to support the organization. If she is one who wants to have accolades thrown at them, this might not be the right fit, because we're kind of like the fly on the wall. We're the wheels, the gears in the back that's making it all run. So she needs to be someone who wants to do what's best for the organization and doesn't mind doing that without recognition. She also needs to know what her strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to admin. She should identify those things that she needs to develop, whether it's technology, communication, or writing, and do the things she needs to do to build those skills or to build that skill set. The goal is to be effective and to really be a part of the organization to make it better.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my professional and personal life are discipline, accountability, leadership, service, continuous learning, and family. I believe discipline and accountability are the foundation of success, whether leading a team, supporting an organization, or pursuing personal goals. I take pride in leading by example, staying committed to high standards, and always following through on my responsibilities.