Diane (Paulson) Swanson

Position: 2008/2009 President of Children’s Hospital Association

What year did you graduate from CSB? What was your major?
I graduated from CSB in 1988. I was a Business major (Organizational Leadership Program).

In my current role I vow to… work to advance the outreach of CHA to serve children-at-risk within our community.

Why do you do the work you do with the board?
CHA is the largest single philanthropy for Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Founded during the Great Depression, CHA has raised funds for programs at the hospital since 1933. Without the support of CHA, there are many award-winning programs that would not be able to continue due to lack of funding within a traditional hospital budget. Because our focus is on programs and direct patient care, it really makes a difference in the lives of children every single day. When a child is sick, hurt, or troubled, the entire family is affected. It is very rewarding to know that even though I am only one person, my work DOES make a difference because it is part of something so grand.

Why are you so passionate about working for the CHA?
I have first-hand experience with the stress of having a sick child and I know how much the support of the family by the hospital staff means to the welfare of that child. Although my child died, it was important to me to continue do what I could to help other families keep their heads above water during one of the most stressful times in their lives.

Why is it important for people to be involved in public policy by volunteering?
As adults, we have responsibilities to our children and to our communities. We need to be involved in our children’s lives by being interested in what they do – whether that be coaching their sports teams or volunteering in their classroom. That is part of being a parent.
We also have a responsibility to our community by volunteering to do something that is for the greater good. It is something that is NOT driven by how it will affect our families but something that we do for just the sake of being a better person and for making our world a better place. Saint Ben’s taught me that we need to be selfless in our volunteering. To me that is what volunteering is all about.

Can you share a story/example from your position that reinforces/illustrates the impact you are having?
CHA has made the community a better place for the past 75 years. Because of the commitment to CHA by thousands of people over the years, we are poised to continue to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve for many years to come. To know that the commitment of the community will continue to be there is a wonderful strength. The way health care is delivered has changed tremendously over the years. CHA has been responsible for supporting numerous groundbreaking programs over the years, including everything from immunization to child abuse treatments, to music therapy. I look forward to more changes and ways for us to serve the community.

Institutional Advancement
College of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 363-5682
(800) 648-3468