A Career Built on Purpose

In a world where changing jobs every few years or ‘job hopping’ is the norm, Dianne Van Aken’s 25-year journey with New Zealand Couriers stands out, not just for its length, but for the heart and purpose she’s brought to every step along the way.

As National Training and Customer Experience Coordinator at Freightways, Dianne has spent the last quarter-century learning, adapting, and most importantly, supporting others to grow. Her milestone is about more than time, it’s about the people she’s connected with, the changes she’s helped shape, and the positive culture she’s helped build.

For Dianne, it’s all a reminder of what really matters: relationships, learning, and staying connected.

Staying Engaged Through Change

One of the secrets to Dianne’s long and fulfilling career? Variety.

“No two days have ever been the same,” she says, and she means it. From day one, Dianne has worked across different areas of the business, touching everything from systems and training to communication and customer support.

She’s played a key role in major transitions like the move from Reflections to CSC/BOOK2, always with a focus on making sure people feel confident and supported as things change.

Over the years, she’s also taken on roles that speak to her versatility – leading process improvement as Promapp’s Primary Lead Promaster and managing telephony systems like Spark and 3CX to help keep communication flowing across teams.

“It’s the variety that’s kept it interesting,” she shares. “Even now, I still find the work challenging and rewarding. There’s always something new to learn.”

Leading Learning and Development

Training has been a cornerstone of Dianne’s journey. From onboarding new team members to helping long-timers keep their skills sharp, she’s been a constant source of support for those learning the ropes – and those reinventing them.

She’s been instrumental in rolling out LearningPlanet, a professional development platform across Freightways, and played a key role in launching the e-Quip Learning Management System, making training more consistent and accessible nationwide.

But Dianne hasn’t just delivered training. She’s helped shape a learning culture – one where growth is encouraged, support is available, and learning fits the evolving needs of the business. Her impact will be felt well beyond her time in the role.

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Values That Make a Difference

Dianne credits much of her success to three personal strengths: harmony, adaptability, and communication.

These qualities have been her compass, helping her navigate change, work calmly through challenges, and build trust with people across the business. Whether she’s helping someone get comfortable with a new system or guiding a team through process changes, Dianne brings a calm, considered presence that puts people at ease.

It’s no surprise that she’s held in such high regard – she’s not just knowledgeable, she’s kind, and always ready to lend a hand.

Connecting With People Across the Country

A big part of Dianne’s work has involved getting out to branches across New Zealand – not just to deliver training, but to understand what’s really happening on the ground.

These visits help her tailor her support to what teams actually need. They also give her a richer understanding of how change affects different roles and regions, so she can communicate it in a way that makes sense to everyone.

By staying close to the day-to-day, Dianne keeps her work grounded, real, and above all – people-first.

A Career Highlight: Freightways Fundamentals

Among the many projects Dianne has been part of, Freightways Fundamentals is one that stands out. The onboarding programme brings new team members together from across Freightways’ many brands, giving them a sense of the bigger picture and how they fit into it.

For Dianne, these sessions were about more than just training. They were about creating connection -answering questions, offering reassurance, and helping people feel welcome from day one.

“I’ve met so many incredible people through Freightways Fundamentals,” she says. “Every session was a reminder of just how passionate and diverse our wider team is.”

It wasn’t just the new starters who left feeling inspired – the experience reaffirmed Dianne’s own pride in the organisation she’s helped shape.

Learning Never Stops

Even with 25 years under her belt, Dianne is still learning. She’s stayed curious, open to new tools and technologies, and always looking for ways to support people more effectively.

Whether she’s helping roll out a new system or guiding someone through a tricky process, she approaches each challenge with empathy, clarity, and a sense of purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t stop – and that staying open to change is one of the best ways to keep your work meaningful.

More Than a Milestone

Dianne’s 25-year career isn’t just a number, it’s a testament to the power of commitment, curiosity, and connection.

She’s helped shape the way Freightways and New Zealand Couriers train, communicate, and support their people. But perhaps more importantly, she’s left a mark on the many people she’s worked alongside – not just as a colleague, but as a mentor, a listener, and a genuinely kind human being.

Not every career will follow the same path as Dianne’s, but her journey reminds us that showing up, staying open, and supporting others goes a long way.

What values keep you grounded as your role continues to grow and evolve?