Her Story
About Diana
Diana Ramirez serves as Neighborhood Specialist with Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, managing a neighborhood improvement grant program for the west side of Salt Lake City, including areas such as Ballpark. These historically red-lined neighborhoods receive support for resident-led projects like murals, little free libraries, and community gardens. She bridges the gap between City Hall and residents by guiding grantees through city processes and ordinances. Ramirez brings five years of prior nonprofit experience to her three years in local government. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications and sociology from the University of Utah in 2020 and a Master's of Public Administration from the same institution in 2022, along with a Women in Leadership Certificate from the Women's Leadership Institute. She attributes her success to her education and the sacrifices of her parents, who raised her in a low-income family on the west side.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Diana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I would say school. I'm literally just a Westside girlie, like, I have... I was raised in a low-income family, education wasn't really an avenue to explore for me, and somehow I made it. I went to school, I got my master's, and just seeing my parents, just everything that they gave up in their own lives to give me and my siblings a better future. It made me work hard and work smart. And now I'm here.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have a quote, but I am a recent new parent, new mom, and before I left on my maternity leave, my director said, the days are long and the years are short. And I think that also translates into work, because it's a very day-to-day, case-by-case type of situation... at the end of the year, you just look back and you completed 10 projects, and it's so fun to see the work that goes into it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say never sell yourself short. I think women have a lot to give, and sometimes I think it's almost ingrained in us that women get paid less... I think you just gotta show up for yourself. Just show up for yourself, and your work will speak for you... Believe in themselves and don't sell themselves short.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think my biggest challenge is spreading the word of the grant. I really wish that a lot more people would take advantage of it... if I had one dream, it would be that residents knew who to contact for their city issues.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say integrity. Be true to yourself, even despite the situation... I think I'll stick to integrity... Women can stick to themselves, and not have to... I think we have that mentality of like trying to please everybody, because we are women.
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