Diane Arms
Founder and Principal Consultant
Diane Arms is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Arms Avanza Consulting, an advisory firm dedicated to helping nonprofits enhance their impact, particularly those without the capacity to hire a full-time staff member for specialized initiatives. She partners with organizations to streamline services, implement behavioral health programs, navigate state licensure, manage projects, and develop mid-level leadership—bringing culturally responsive and practical solutions to the table.
Where Strategy Meets Humanity
Expert in Latino Health, Behavioral Health Integration, and System Transformation
Diane has dedicated her career to serving the Latino population in the health field, including mental health and substance use. She has facilitated leadership meetings among local Federally Qualified Health Centers to proactively address systemic issues, implemented evidence-based programs such as Multisystemic Therapy in mental health settings, and developed transition services for youth moving from children’s to adult behavioral health systems. She also led the conversion of in-person clinical and behavioral health services to telehealth during COVID-19.
Her previous funded projects include examining the relationships between stress, depression, and anxiety and substance use among young adult Latinos; studying the impact of chronic illness on children’s quality of life in the Colonias along the Texas-Mexico border; and evaluating decision-making aids for colorectal cancer screening in older Latino adults.
Notable Accomplishments
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso
Experience
Associate Chief of Strategic Engagement - The Council on Recovery
Director of Health Integration - Avenue 360
Director of Prevention and Counseling - Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans
Leadership & Services
HBJ's 40 Under 40 Honoree
Fellow, American Leadership Forum (Class 44)
Graduate, Mujeres de HACE leadership program
Board Member, El Centro de Corazón
When she isn't working...
Outside of her professional work, Diane values time with her family above all else. They keep her grounded, fuel her passion for creating healthier communities, and remind her of the importance of building systems that truly support people’s lives. She finds joy in going for runs — from casual miles to full marathons — as well as playing with her pups, traveling to new places, and cherishing everyday moments with the people she loves most. Diane also enjoys celebrating cultural traditions that connect her to her community and heritage, which continue to inspire her work in advancing equity and wellbeing.
