Shaping Tomorrow’s Healthcare Leaders: Dianne Auclair Rocha Joins The HBA Foundation Board of Directors
With broad industry experience and commitment to mentorship, Auclair Rocha will help drive the Foundation’s vision.
Dianne Auclair Rocha’s journey with the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) began nearly two decades ago through her work with Novartis’ Women in Leadership Employee Resource Group (ERG). At the time, she was one of the few female field managers and felt a responsibility to serve as a role model for others.
“The HBA’s intentional and focused approach to driving change resonated with me immediately,” Dianne said. “I benefited personally and professionally through mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy, and it shaped how I approached my own career and leadership style.”
Her engagement deepened over the years, leading to recognition as an HBA Luminary in 2024. In 2025, she took on a role as a non-voting member of the HBA’s Board of Directors in addition to sitting on its Marketing and Communications Committee.
“Serving on the Board allowed me to see the organization’s impact at a strategic level and understand its role as a growth partner for the healthcare industry,” Auclair Rocha said.
It was during this time that Dianne discovered The HBA Foundation, the HBA’s newly launched philanthropic arm, and was inspired to join its Board of Directors.
“The launch of The HBA Foundation is a transformative milestone,” she said. “What inspires me most is its bold commitment to expanding access to healthcare careers and supporting the next generation of professionals.”
The HBA Foundation is anchored by four core pillars: Educational Pathways, offering scholarships and grants to students; Mentorship and Leadership Programs, matching participants with mentors to accelerate growth; Pipeline Programs, working with schools and universities to introduce healthcare careers earlier; and Training, including virtual internships with HBA Corporate Partners.
“By integrating education, mentorship, and career-building initiatives, the Foundation is creating sustainable pathways into healthcare professions and helping shape a future workforce that is prepared, capable, and representative in thought and experience,” Auclair Rocha said.
With nearly three decades in the healthcare industry, Dianne brings a strategic perspective to The HBA Foundation. Her experience spans global markets and therapeutic areas, and she has led transformation initiatives, built cultures of trust, and contributed to leadership development programs that align talent with business growth.
“I aim to offer my experience in leadership development and strategy, balancing near-term execution with long-term vision, while keeping a relentless focus on patients and people,” she said.
For Dianne, joining The HBA Foundation Board of Directors is also deeply personal.
“I grew up with healthcare in my home. My mother was a nurse, and my older brother became a physical therapist,” she shared. “That early exposure helped me understand the impact healthcare professionals can have on people’s lives. But not everyone has those role models or experiences, which is why I’m so passionate about expanding awareness and access to healthcare careers.”
That passion is further fueled by her stepdaughter, Angela, who is in the early years of her own career in healthcare. Watching Angela in her first steps into the field reinforces Auclair Rocha’s commitment to helping students and early-career professionals discover opportunities, build confidence, and focus their energy on making a difference.
Auclair Rocha sees The HBA Foundation as a complement to the broader HBA – supporting students and emerging professionals, while the HBA serves those already in the field.
“The Foundation strengthens the talent pipeline and addresses workforce gaps across the broader healthcare ecosystem,” she said. "Together, the HBA and The HBA Foundation ensure that professionals at every stage have the support they need to grow, lead, and succeed.”
Looking ahead, Dianne hopes the Foundation will become a catalyst for professional growth and innovation.
“By investing in education, mentorship, and workplace wellness, the HBA Foundation can help build a future workforce that is well-prepared, resilient, and reflective of the patient communities we serve,” she said.
You can learn more about The HBA Foundation and its Board of Directors here.