Her Story
About Dianne
Dianne Williams is the founder of Little Zen Yoga, a Cleveland-based mobile yoga and wellness organization dedicated to helping children develop lifelong tools for mindfulness, emotional wellness, and healthy living. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, BPACF 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends recipient, and recipient of the LeBron James and LIFEWTR More To Life Award, Dianne has built a mission-driven organization that partners with schools, libraries, and community organizations to create engaging, culturally responsive wellness programs for youth. Her work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered through movement, mindfulness, and community.
Driven by a vision to expand Little Zen Yoga throughout Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and across Ohio, Dianne is committed to making youth wellness an essential part of education. She plans to collaborate with colleges and research institutions to study and demonstrate the positive impact of mindfulness and yoga on urban youth while advocating for wellness programming to become a permanent component of school curricula. Despite challenges created by reduced funding for youth organizations and inner-city schools, she continues to pursue strategic partnerships and grant opportunities that will increase access to these transformative programs.
Dianne attributes her success to following her passion, learning through experience, and building authentic relationships with children, families, and community partners. She believes representation, compassion, trust, wellness, and authenticity are fundamental to creating meaningful change, allowing young people to connect with leaders who understand their experiences and provide safe, welcoming spaces for growth. She encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to build businesses rooted in purpose, emphasizing that passion provides the resilience to overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and remain focused on creating a lasting impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dianne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to following my passion, learning through experience, and building genuine relationships with the children and families I serve. Being able to connect with children from backgrounds similar to my own has allowed me to create programs that are relatable, welcoming, and meaningful. Those authentic connections continue to inspire my work and drive my commitment to making a positive impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received has come through my life experiences rather than from one specific mentor. Working with children, families, and community organizations has taught me the importance of listening, staying compassionate, and remaining committed to serving others. Those experiences have shaped my approach and continue to strengthen my passion for promoting youth wellness and creating meaningful community impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure that it is absolutely a passion, because I find that it's only when it's a passion that it helps you when things start to sometimes turn what seems like the worst. It fills like, should I, you know, those moments of, should I just give up, or is this even worth it, and even if you like, when it's a passion. You don't feel guilty if you have to pivot for a second into something else to make that your business makes sense. Knowing that this is what you feel like you were meant to do, and it makes you feel good, and it brings you like, real joy and light, and you know you're gonna find your way back to it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Definitely the impact that the current administration has with the cut of funding has definitely made an impact, unfortunately. Organizations, especially youth organizations, and it seems like a lot of inner-city schools haven't been able to afford programming much anymore. A positive is me just being who I am, that representation that we're able to offer, because it allows just the decision makers and leaders in these different organizations to be able to already relate from a person connection, but also for the kids, to be able to have someone that looks like them, and that culturally can relate to what they're going through presently, and how they've been upbrought.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are representation, compassion, trust, wellness, and authenticity. I believe children thrive when they see leaders who understand their experiences and create safe, supportive spaces where they feel heard, valued, and empowered. Leading with empathy and authenticity allows me to build meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact in the communities I serve.
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