Biography

Diane Marie Colley-Urquhart brings a wealth of community, charitable, corporate and small business experience to her public service role. After receiving her BSc in Health and Human Services, Diane has had nearly a 40 year registered nursing career and has ran her own small businesses. She has held senior management and teaching positions in Emergency, Intensive Trauma and Cardiac Care with Foothills Hospital, the U of A Hospital, Beverly Care Centre, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Kids Help Phone and Westhampton Management Ltd. Diane's career and expertise has significantly impacted the work that she does on behalf of the citizens of Calgary. She continues to work occasionally as a Nurse Specialist at the Calgary Chronic Pain Center and with Alberta Health Services.

Diane has served on Calgary City Council since 2000. She provides solid representation with integrity, offers informed opinions, and challenges others to engage in critical debate on key issues - she listens, takes action and gets things done. Diane's energetic commitment to citizen engagement is evidenced by her numerous community forums and round tables to ensure ongoing relevant dialogue and interaction with Calgarians. Her determination to build community partnerships is evidenced in a variety of ways, such as initiating the Ward 13 President's Council, the Land Use & Mobility Advisory Council, the Telework & Carpooling Initiative, the Stop Marihuana Grow Ops Coalition, roundtables on racism & discrimination, a smoke-free Calgary, the Deerfoot Trail Safety Audit, and the Calgary Transit Public Safety Audit.

Volunteerism has also been at the heart of everything that Diane has done in giving back to the community and inspiring others to get involved. She has canvassed and volunteered for numerous organizations such as the World Police Fire Games, Calgary Police Interpretive Center, Calgary Crime Stoppers, the Alzheimer's Society & Calgary Handibus. She also volunteered on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Committee in Wichita, Kansas, served as President of the Alberta P.C. Women's Association, Vice-President of the National P.C. Women's Federation, Alberta Vice-President of the P.C. Party of Canada, Co- Chaired the Kim Campbell Leadership Committee for Southern Alberta, and served as President of the Calgary Glenmore P.C. Association. Diane is currently President of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's SW riding association.

In 1992, Diane was honoured as a recipient of the Governor General's Commemorative Medal for community service. In 2005, Diane was again honoured with the Alberta Centennial Medal for her work in diversity and human rights initiatives. In partnership with Mayor Bronconnier, Diane was instrumental in developing a Military Leave Policy for the City of Calgary which is leading best practice across the country in supporting Reservists in the Canadian Forces. In 2008, as the STOP MGO Coalition Chair, Diane received the Minister's Municipal Honorable Mention Award of Excellence. In 2008, through Diane's efforts, Calgary Economic Development was successful in obtaining nearly $1m for the Regional Telework Initiative from the Federal government ecoMOBILITY Program, which was the largest sum given to any of the 14 municipalities that received funding.

Diane balances her family, work and volunteer commitments with a very active lifestyle that reflects her personal dedication and commitment to fitness and wellbeing, with personal achievements that include competing in the New York City Marathon, the Calgary Police Half Marathon, and the 2005 World Masters Games in Edmonton. Diane has been married to David for nearly 35 years and has one son.

Diane currently serves as:

• Member, of the Calgary Police Commission
  • Member, Finance & Audit Committee
  • Member, Complaint Oversight Committee
• Alberta Vice Chair, Canadian Forces Liaison Council
• Director, ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams) Board of Directors
• Director, Calgary Stampede Board
• Chair, Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Transportation and Transit
• Member, Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Utilities & Corporate Services
• Member, Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Finance & Corporate Services
• Member, Priorities and Finance Committee
• Member, Legislative Governance Task Force
• Co-Chair, Calgary Police Interpretive Center Capital Campaign
• Honorary Chair, Safer Calgary Board
• Honorary Spokesman, MADD
• Director, Calgary Glenmore P.C. Association Board of Directors
• President, Calgary South Federal Conservative Party Board of Directors
• Member, Prime Minister's Fundraising Committee

Diane may be reached at (403) 268-1624 or via email at dcolley@calgary.ca.