Meet Diane Gansauer
Entrepreneur, Storyteller, Hiker, Author, Speaker
Whether you’re walking in a desert, crossing a fearsome river, or
scaling a mountain summit – there is a path to thriving.
Diane Gansauer: Sharing Stories that Inspire
At home deep in nature, Diane completed the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada in 2023. She hiked 1000 miles of this 3100-mile trek by herself.
Diane Gansauer founded the Celebrant Services Program for several funeral homes in the metro-Denver area that are part of SCI, the largest provider of funeral and cemetery services in North America. For several years, she held one of the few full-time Funeral Celebrant positions in the United States.
She is also the founder and owner of Lyrical Life Ceremonies, Ltd., through which she created ceremonies across the full spectrum of life’s transitions; and Lyrical Life Press, an independent publishing business.
Since childhood, Diane has enjoyed exploring the great outdoors, culminating in hiking the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Canada. Her career includes executive positions with National Wildlife Federation, Colorado Wildlife Federation, and Great Outdoors Colorado. And she continues to enjoy long-distance hiking to this day.
Diane grew up on the Monterey Peninsula in California and attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in The Arts. In New York City, Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh, she managed dance, theater, and music productions, including productions Off-Broadway, at The Kennedy Center, and on the road. She has an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s Certification from the Celebrant Foundation, and a Doctorate in Ministry from the oldest interfaith seminary in the United States. She has frequently taught other professionals the art of celebrating life’s transitions through gathering and sharing stories.
I help audiences embrace what they need to thrive personally and professionally by sharing inspiring examples of focus and courage.
Watch The Waypoints book trailer
Diane is an avid student of storytelling, especially as it relates to ceremonies, and has frequently taught and mentored celebrants in this skill. Her current book, The Waypoints chronicles the wisdom that overlapped her experience of these lives and the trail, like stacked stones on the path, guiding her way.