Dianne Mae Pribhdas, Certified Human Resource Professional, never planned on building a career in HR. In college, she set her sights on becoming a news anchor, taking up AB Mass Communication with dreams of joining a major broadcast network.
“I really wanted to work in media, to be the voice people heard on the evening news,” Dianne shared with Financial Adviser PH. “But life had other plans.”
Personal struggles forced her to become her family’s breadwinner early on. To prioritize stability, she put her dreams on hold and began working as a barista, then entered the BPO industry, where she rose to the role of Quality Assurance Supervisor.
In 2009, she made a leap—leaving her BPO job to pursue online work so she could better balance motherhood and career. Remote work wasn’t widely accepted then, but Dianne trusted her instincts.
“People didn’t consider online work a ‘real’ career back then. But I saw potential. And more importantly, I needed flexibility for my son.”
Over time, her work expanded—covering marketing, training, sales, and recruitment. In 2010, she took on a managerial role with an outsourcing company that supported real estate virtual assistants. It was here that she started managing HR-related functions: recruitment, onboarding, and training.
“That’s when I realized I had a natural passion for people development,” she said. “I was building teams, improving processes, and helping others succeed. Without even realizing it, I had stepped into the world of HR.”
One opportunity led to another. Dianne went on to support multiple international clients, building and managing remote teams across time zones and cultures—laying the groundwork for what would become her true calling.
The defining moment came when she joined Ooze Studios, a digital agency based in Melbourne. Originally brought in as an Operations Admin and Process Innovator, she quickly found herself leading people operations. With mentorship from CEO Jesse Ocean, she was empowered to step fully into HR leadership.
“That’s when HR became more than just a role. It became the purpose behind my work,” she shared.
As a Certified Human Resource Professional, Dianne now leads the agency’s efforts in aligning culture with strategy, realigning its Vision and DNA (values), and creating systems that empower people to thrive. She has recruited, trained, and mentored over 100 remote professionals—and built a culture where performance and wellbeing are not mutually exclusive.
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy—and in lived experience.
“I used to think that mental health struggles and personal trauma had no place in the workplace,” she said. “But at Ooze, I was encouraged to grow not just professionally, but personally. That support changed everything.”
As someone who has overcome deep challenges, Dianne now uses her platform in HR to ensure others feel safe, heard, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
Her mantra is simple, but powerful: Be your best and truest self—excellent results will follow.
“It took years—and the right environment—to understand that,” she said. “Now, I try to be that environment for others.”
From aspiring broadcaster to Certified HR Professional and culture-shaper, Dianne Mae Pribhdas found her voice in the most unexpected place—and it’s having an impact far greater than she ever imagined.
