Diane Harms

DIANE HARMS

Family Law Lawyer, Daunais McKay + Harms

2015 Woman of Inspiration™ Advocate & Catalyst for Change – Legacy Award

What is the first thing you do to start your day? Spend time with my real and fur family. THEN, set aside an hour to read work emails and set a task list for the day before stepping into the office—because then all hell tends to break loose.

What was turning point in life or your “Aha Moment” that led you on your current path to launch your career? I am still waiting for my “Aha Moment” LOL.

Like all working moms, I faced the challenge of balancing work commitments with family life. In the early years, I didn’t get a lot of sleep—trying to give “my all” to everyone/everything. What is one favorite thing you do for selfcare and why? Is it a non-negotiable item? My favorite, non-negotiable thing is to go walking with my dog, my husband and (in a perfect world) my daughter. The fresh air and exercise soothe my soul. If you won the lottery yesterday, would you continue to operate your business or continue your career path in the same way? I would definitely try and take Fridays off to “smell the roses”. What keeps you up at night? What I needed to get done and did not; what I said that did not appropriately convey what was intended; what I did not say, that needed to be said…the list is endless.

What was the biggest sacrifice you made when you started your career path? Like all working moms, I faced the challenge of balancing work commitments with family life. In the early years, I didn’t get a lot of sleep— trying to give “my all” to everyone/everything. Knowing what you know now, what would you have changed about starting your career path? I wouldn’t have changed a thing. As hard as it may have sometimes felt, I survived and thrived. What is the role of a SupportHER™? As the saying of old goes, behind every good man is a good woman. SupportHERs recognize that same truism. Our brave new world is or should be gender-neutral; SupportHERs exhibit and promote that reality. We are in this “together”. What saying motivates you to be the best you can be? My grandmother’s statement to me at 15-16 years of age (when I was truly at my very worst teen self) to always strive to live life HIGH. She was telling me to strive to live life with humility, integrity, gratitude and honesty. This message has always resonated with me, and (when I am my best self) guided my life.

What is your definition of a Woman of Inspiration? A woman who demonstrates humility, integrity, gratitude and honesty—in whatever walk of life their path takes them.

What do you admire most about other female leaders? I admire female leaders for their common-sense approach to problem solving and because they do not need or expect accolades for their successes. My experience is that the best female leaders see a job that needs to be done and they make it happen. What is the biggest overall lesson you learned during your career? Be a good listener. Strive to understand and appreciate what you hear. Put it into context. COVID-19 is filled with lessons. What was one of the biggest lessons for you? COVID-19 slowed life down. It gave me the opportunity to learn how much I enjoy the simple pleasures of my home and yard, car rides, long walks and the company of my family. A word can be a powerful guiding light. What is your word for 2021? REFLECT. I have been blessed with abundance, personally and professionally. I want to be mindful of how to share that abundance in meaningful ways.