Diane Raihle
Diane Raihle is the Senior Sales Manager of Membership at the Hampton Roads Chamber, where she has served the region’s business community for more than 17 years. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, Diane is a nationally recognized leader in chamber membership development and relationship building. A recipient of multiple Million Dollar Circle and Lifetime Achievement awards from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), she has surpassed $1 million in membership sales and consistently ranks among the top membership professionals in the country. Known for exceeding quarterly and annual goals, she has been the Chamber’s top new membership sales leader since 2009 and represents the organization at more than 120 networking events each year across Hampton Roads.
Diane’s path to success was anything but traditional. Born in New York and raised in California before relocating to Virginia Beach more than two decades ago, she built her foundation in customer service as a McDonald’s manager—earning her memorable “Bachelor of Hamburgerology.” That early experience shaped her upbeat, people-centered approach to business. She later spent 15 years in California as Director of Operations for a major job fair company, helping manage and produce hundreds of large-scale events annually during the height of the technology boom. Throughout her career, she has led operations, negotiated national contracts, built marketing campaigns, launched expos, trained sales teams, and even founded Specialized Expos, Inc., producing large community events for families across multiple states.
At the Chamber, Diane sees her role not as “sales,” but as education and connection. She thrives on introducing business owners to opportunities they may not have discovered on their own—whether that’s through ribbon cuttings, business expos, advocacy efforts, or strategic networking. Her passion lies in connecting people, solving problems, and helping companies grow within the largest chamber in Virginia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also launched FlowersForSeniors.net, reflecting her commitment to community care beyond business. Energized by new challenges and lifelong learning, Diane continues to bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a deep love for people to every conversation and connection she makes.
• California State University, Chico - Mass Communications
• 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards from ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives)
• ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency and relationships. I’ve always believed that business is about people first. I show up, I follow through, and I genuinely care about helping others succeed. Over time, that builds trust and trust builds opportunity.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One piece of advice that changed me was: don’t shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Own your strengths. If you’ve earned the seat at the table, sit in it confidently. Be yourself, Always!
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be bold and be consistent. Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready, raise your hand and step into the room.
Build real relationships. In business development and leadership, your reputation is everything. Do what you say you’re going to do, follow up, and always add value.
You will hear “no.” Don’t take it personally. Learn from it, adjust, and keep going. Resilience will take you further than talent alone.
And most importantly, stay authentic. You don’t need to change who you are to succeed. Your voice and your perspective are your strength.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Diane identifies evolving business landscapes and rapid technological change as ongoing challenges within chamber and member development roles. However, she also sees tremendous opportunity in expanded networking platforms, cross-industry collaboration, and innovative community partnerships. As businesses seek connection and trusted resources, she believes chambers play a vital role in strengthening local economies and professional ecosystems.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Courage is important to me. It takes courage to lead, to sell, to write a book, to put yourself out there. I’ve learned that growth always lives on the other side of courage. Every day can be and is a day of learning no matter how old you are. Hard work and respect were values my father instilled in me, and I've carried those with me throughout my career. Finally, I value being happy with yourself and being able to do what you want to do, pursuing your passions and creative projects at any age, which is something I'm trying to instill in young professionals around me.