Diane Cooke
Vice President – Human Resources
Diane Cooke is Vice President of Human Resources at Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT). Diane joined the company in July 2019, bringing a rich history of people-focused leadership to her guidance of the Human Resources, Safety and Employee Solutions teams. As competition for talent intensifies, she is passionate about building a diverse, inclusive and values-based culture where employee experiences and capabilities deliver results that set Alliant Energy apart.
Over her career, Diane has held leadership roles in human resources, finance, sales, business improvement, strategic planning and project management. She began her career in 1991 as an accountant in financial services and proceeded to gain experiences in various functions and industries. This includes more than 15 years with a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of foods offered through retail-grocery, food service and home delivery channels.
Diane has a track record of advancing business strategies and priorities using her unique background to bring end-to-end design thinking and solutions focused on the customer. Leveraging her business acumen and ability to develop talent and teams, she served in seven unique and various functional roles for her prior employer, most recently leading HR for the Global Supply Chain division. In that role, she drove a cultural and operational transformation among more than 4,000 employees across many states, as well as overseeing due diligence for two capability-focused acquisitions.
Throughout her career, Diane has worked to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and prepare young people for bright, meaningful careers. She thrives on lifelong learning, utilizing two-way and reverse mentorships to learn from others’ perspectives and experiences. Diane is actively involved in the Multiple Pathways initiative of the Business Roundtable, Edison Electric Institute HR community and Madison HR executive forum.
Diane earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. She has completed various leadership courses, including Advanced Human Resource Executive Education from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Experience
2019 – Present Vice President – Human Resources, Alliant Energy
2018 – 2019 Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), Equus Holdings, Inc.
2011 – 2018 Vice President – Human Resources, Schwan’s Company
2009 – 2011 Vice President – Compensation, Strategic Planning & HRIS, Schwan’s Company
2008 – 2009 Senior Director – Business Improvement, Schwan’s Company
2004 – 2008 Sales Director – Sales Planning & Communication, Schwan’s Company
2003 – 2004 Finance Manager – Pricing & Promotions, Schwan’s Company
2001 – 2002 Senior Account Executive, Screenscape Studios
1998 – 2001 Manager – Renaissance Worldwide, Inc.
1994 – 1997 Project Manager – Precision Computer Systems (Fiserv)
1991 – 1994 Financial Accountant, Marquette Bank of South Dakota