Actor, Writer, Teacher, Performer, Improv artist, Stand-up comic, Pretty Funny Lady and Graduate of Douglas College Theatre Program
Diana Frances is a leading comic performer, setting the direction for comedy in Vancouver for 12 years. She has written and performed sketch comedy shows on the Comedy Network, including "Slightly Bent TV" and "Sucker Punch," and was a re-occurring character on the Comedy Network's "Point Blank." Most recently she's been a contributing writer for CTV's "Comedy Inc." and a writer on the pilot episode of "The Ellie Harvie Show."
She has been nominated for 4 Canadian Comedy Awards for Best Female Improviser.
Diana is also an award-winning writer for CBC Radio, and has been heard on "The Round-up," "Madly Off In All Directions," "Definitely Not the Opera" and "That's Capital." She was a finalist for a Writer's Guild Top Ten Award and is a Silver Medal winner of the New York Festival Awards for her work with CBC Radio.
A 10-year veteran of The Vancouver TheatreSports League, Diana has also entertained Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia, Israel and Egypt, and most recently, Afghanistan.
As the Vice-President, Director of Entertainment and principle performer for RPS, her original comedy scripts and sketches for clients such as Tourism BC, Tourism Halifax, Telus, The Jack Webster Awards, and The Royal Bank, have brought audiences to their feet.
Diana is also a really good parallel parker.
Winner - Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40
Nominated for 'Pretty Funny Female Improvisor,' Canadian Comedy Awards 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
Writer's Guild Top Ten Awards, 2002 (for comedic writing for CBC Radio
1)
Silver Medal, New York Radio Awards (for comedic writing for CBC Radio
1)
Gold Medal, Lower Mainland Speed Typing Competition, 1986 (78 words
per minute net)
Client and media acclaim for RPS
M.Ed. (specialist in cross-cultural and conflict resolution)
B.SW. (focus on Community Development)
Provincial Instructor Training Certificate
Lee-Anne has received local, national, and international acclaim for her work as a specialist in cross-cultural training and conflict resolution. Her lively, engaging workshops have been serving the not-for-profit, community-based, and corporate sectors for more than 16 years. Original, adaptable and ever inspiring as a trainer and teacher, her work has taken her to Asia, the Arctic, India, Mexico, from coast to coast in Canada, and to the United States.
Lee-Anne is the President of RPS and Director of Training (for Community Works and Laughing Matters - the training divisions of RPS).
Lee-Anne loves to adapt workshop material often improvising on the spot to meet the unique interests of participants. Her work in all sectors has demonstrated that improved business practices and organizational effectiveness are the result of strong team building and inclusive, values-based leadership. Lee-Anne passes these values on through her patience, compassion, indomitable spirit, and transferable teaching and training practices.
Awards:
Winner - Abhi Ahluwalia Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution Award
Winner - Entrepreneur of the Year, Consulting Category 2006
Finalist - Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 and 2005
Winner - Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40
SJ Moore Award, YMCA National award for Community Leadership
Gerald B. Houston Award for Outstanding Work in the International
Development field, YMCA International Association of Professional
Directors
YMCA Caring and Sharing Award; presented to a YMCA staff person who
brings an extra commitment to their work and genuinely cares for
people
Professional Affiliations:
Client acclaim for Community Works
Client acclaim for Laughing Matters