For Diane Jamieson, real estate is more than transactions—it’s about creating a welcoming experience, guiding people through life’s biggest transitions with warmth, care, and expertise. At the heart of her success is a passion she’s had since childhood: hospitality.

Growing up in a small town in Northwest Indiana, Diane watched her parents turn their home into a place where people felt valued. They hosted gatherings with meticulous attention to detail: fine china set just right, guests’ favorite drinks on hand, and an atmosphere that made everyone feel special. She loved being a part of it all, preparing for the guests and seeing the joy it brought them. It was an early lesson in how meaningful it is to make people feel at home.

But when it came time to choose a career, she took a more traditional path, earning a business degree from Purdue University. “At the time, I didn’t realize you could do something you loved and support yourself,” she says. “Looking back, I would have chosen a degree in hospitality.”

Instead, Diane built a strong career in finance and project management. Her first job after graduation was with Ernst & Whinney (which later became Ernst & Young), where she spent two years in public accounting, gaining a solid foundation in financial analysis and business operations. She then transitioned to Solo Cup Company (Dart/Solo), where she spent the next decade. 

It wasn’t until she stepped away from the corporate world to raise their two children that she rediscovered her passion for people and community. Through leadership roles in school PTAs, fundraising efforts, and local youth sports programs, she built strong relationships and found joy in organizing events that brought people together. When she was ready to return to work, real estate felt like a natural extension of what she had always loved: creating spaces where people could build their lives.

Diane began her real estate career in 2006 at a boutique firm, quickly realizing that no two transactions were ever the same. Over time, she found her home at Baird & Warner, where she thrives in a family-owned business culture that prioritizes relationships over transactions.

Her ability to remain calm under pressure and navigate complex situations has made her a trusted advisor. She recalls a particularly stressful transaction where a significant issue arose just before closing. Though the process took longer than expected, her persistence paid off. “Cool heads prevail,” she says. “Although everything was delayed, both my seller and the buyer were over-the-moon at the closing table.”

For Diane, success isn’t measured by the number of transactions closed; it’s about how she helps people realize the lifestyle of their dreams. “Success is being able to help someone get to their next chapter in a smooth, reliable manner, sans drama,” she says.

Outside of real estate, Diane’s world revolves around family. She and her husband, Scott, met at Purdue and their children are alums, too. Their son, Ryan, recently married his wife, Bergen, and they now live in St. Louis with their puppy, Penny. Their daughter, Kathryn, followed in her mother’s hospitality footsteps and has a career rooted in care: she works as a pediatric cancer nurse at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

In their free time, Diane and Scott enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors, and making the most of what their community has to offer. They love visiting the city, trying new restaurants, biking, and playing pickleball.

Their home has always been a reflection of their love for gathering, and their recent two-year renovation project has made entertaining even more seamless. The reconfigured first floor was designed with hospitality in mind.  Diane now appreciates the renovation process even more after experiencing it firsthand. “Going through it myself gave me a whole new level of understanding when I talk to clients about home improvements,” she says.

Diane also dedicates her time to giving back. She serves as a special events commissioner for the Village of Arlington Heights, helping to organize free community events throughout the year. She is also a strong supporter of Lurie Children’s Hospital, inspired by the work her daughter does there.

Through all of it, Diane remains grounded in gratitude. On the tough days, she reminds herself how fortunate she is to have the encouragement and support of her husband, Scott, who enabled her to build a career that allows her to serve others. And if that doesn’t do the trick, she thinks about her dream trip to Bora Bora, a place she hopes to visit with her family someday.

Diane’s passion for hospitality hasn’t changed—whether she’s helping a family find the perfect home, guiding clients through a major transition, or welcoming guests into her own home, she does it all with the same warmth and care she learned from her parents.