Diane Tomb with Bryan Zygmont, Ph.D., dean of the College of Liberal Arts
This spring, the College of Liberal Arts named Diane Tomb, C’86, as this year’s Academic Circle of Excellence honoree. From her start as an undergrad to today, Tomb has been dedicated to Mount St. Mary’s University, and is a model of the value of a liberal arts degree.
“I really enjoyed the community that existed at the Mount. I always felt like I was a part of something larger,” shared Tomb. This experience of community helped shape her interest in public affairs and housing policy, reflected today through her service as the chief executive officer of the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry.
As a Mount student, Tomb studied political science and history. She also played soccer, was a member of Mount Republicans and even worked in the British Parliament, under the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, during a study abroad program in her junior year.
After graduation, Tomb w in the Office of the Vice President during the tenure of President George H. W. Bush. “I’m convinced that having the experience of living abroad and being a Mount graduate greatly influenced why I was selected for the position,” she exclaimed, noting that the extracurriculars and opportunities she participated in at the Mount taught her to multi-task and pursue her goals.
Her work in the White House served as a springboard to an impactful career. After leaving the Office of the Vice President, Tomb served as assistant secretary of public affairs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As her career progressed, Tomb became an accomplished executive and entrepreneur, going on to found a D.C.-based public affairs firm in 2003. She later served as president and CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners, where she represented members on public policy issues before Congress and the White House. Prior to being named ATLA’s CEO, she was the executive director of the National Rental Home Council.
Tomb currently serves as a commissioner on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform, and on the Board of Visitors at the Fund for American Studies. Whether she’s on Capitol Hill or at a state government meeting, she loves how interesting and diverse her work is every day. “I’m a policy wonk, so I enjoy influencing public policy that benefits both my members and the communities they serve,” Tomb shared.
When asked about the impact her Mount education has had, Tomb recalled the valuable relationships she developed as a student. “Professionally, being surrounded by colleagues who had a strong faith and led values-based lives had a significant influence on me and the choices I made in my career,” she said.
Tomb has always worn her Mount pride on her sleeve and served on the Board of Trustees for several years. “The Mount is a very special place. I’ve always felt very close to God there,” she remarked.