Ash Gokli
MD, MMM, CPE, FAAPL, FACEP
Vice President
Chief Clinical Operations Integration Officer
Sutter Health
I am the Chief Medical Officer for Sutter Health Valley Area. I have been in senior leadership roles in healthcare for the last 24 years and have served in chief medical officer and CEO roles. I am an avid student of leadership, a true believer in inspirational and servant leadership, and life-long learning.
I met Diane when she taught a highly interactive Presentation Skills Class to leaders as part of a system wide Leadership Academy. As a hospital CEO, Diane worked closely with me to bring a leadership academy to my leadership/executive team. Diane provided a comprehensive customized 8-day training program delivered 2-days quarterly.
Diane is a dynamic person who is an inspiration for leaders. She is a wonderful communicator who’s in command of the audience and gets their attention. Yet her style is non-intimidating, engaging and effective. She is so good at getting the best out of people. She understands the big picture as well as particular dynamics of organizations. If I work with a teacher or coach, I have to respect that person, and I respect Diane and have full confidence in Diane.
McGeorge School of Law
The State of California
Prison Industry Authority
At the largest prison hospital in the world, CALPIA delivers two programs, auditing and training, to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. CALPIA trainers deliver training and present to small and large groups. Diane delivered a very comprehensive customized train-the-trainer program in order to enhance the delivery of ideas and concepts, and increase the audiences retention.
The Advanced Level Presentation program consisted of how to read an audience; how to present new subject matter material using a structured delivery method; how to tell your story which reached your audience on an emotional level; and how to understand and apply the four learning styles when teaching or presenting to maximize the impact and value to an audience. All participants were thoroughly engaged in Diane’s training. From the start and throughout Diane’s training, participants enjoyed and valued what they learned.
Director
Grid Assets Strategic Services
Sacramento Municipal Utilities District
As a new Director it was so helpful to have weekly sessions with Diane to bounce ideas off of, sharing situations and having her provide direct and honest feedback. She was kind and honest, not shy about pushing me to be better and provided guidance.
An example that really illustrates her commitment is when I was afforded an opportunity to speak in Washington DC at the Democratic Caucus on the Jobs for America Task Force. This was a last-minute opportunity and luckily Diane and I were meeting the same week I found out. She walked me through information that I should gather, provided personal insights on how to present and role played with me. At our next session she even dressed as if she was giving an important presentation giving advice on proper attire, fit, etc. Who does this? Diane Davidson does, she shared experiences that she had had presenting, things to avoid and things that really worked. The presentation I made went great, I was not nervous, I felt very comfortable from a preparation and attire standpoint and most of all it went over well with Congressman Ami Bera’s office which is awesome for SMUD.
In life we meet people, they are peers, leaders, acquaintances, friends, etc. Some you have life-long relationships that provide much needed support on many levels. Others will be in your life for short periods of time but make lasting impacts, that although you do not interact regularly, you are forever better for knowing them. Diane falls squarely in that area and I foresee using concepts and advice you have shared for years to come.
Financial Services Consultant
I am a financial consultant with over 29 years of CA State and Local government municipal finance, accounting and administrative experience. I had the pleasure of working with Diane as my executive coach for a period of nearly a year and found Diane to be extremely knowledgeable, personable, professional, practical, inspirational and forward-thinking.
At the beginning of our engagement Diane provided me with a coaching journal, which I’ve retained and re-purposed as my career “dream” journal, a repository of information, ideas, contacts and strategies to maintain engagement and enthusiasm in my work life. Diane provided me with a wide range of relevant resources, including articles, audio book and reading recommendations which I have leveraged in support of my colleagues and clients. I highly value and appreciate my time with Diane, then and now!
Diane did a phenomenal job in teaching us, very enthused, entertaining yet provided the value with finesse.
She listened and picked up on our questions and where the group was at and adapted her material accordingly.
She explained, modeled and provided good feedback. She did a good job making things interesting and fun.
Facilitator kept my interest throughout the whole course. The breakout session instructions were simple. The exercises in the breakout session really helped.
The breakout sessions where we actually got to role play the problem or talk it through with each other were excellent.
The strengths of the course I believe are; the ability to educate students in a short period of time, with practice and demonstrations that we retained without having to reference back on our module.
Her stories were very relatable and helpful in bringing to life the study material. I think Diane was fabulous. She's a great communicator.
The demonstrations with participants in the main group where everyone could see and ask questions were very helpful.
The instructor was effective throughout the whole class, she explained the topic while she demonstrated it and practiced it with us applying the same model or topic that she is discussing.
Online experience was good. I had no idea that there was a feature called 'break-out' rooms. It was good to work in smaller groups, even online, and then come back and share the learnings with the larger group.
We've recently undergone a structural reorg and I will apply the learnings from this class to ensure that my staff has clarity on their roles and function.
I valued everything; the interaction, the ease of jumping in the class, the extra knowledge provided, the topic discussed and most of all, Ms. Diane!