She was born in Birmingham, England to parents of Jamaican heritage. At the age of 10, she moved to the U.S.A. to live with her father. During her first plane ride from London to New York as an unaccompanied minor, she fell in love with traveling and meeting people. She has lived and worked in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and several states within the United States.
When she was 17 years old, she attended flight school in Ozark, Alabama. One day she and her friends organized a trip to Tuskegee, Alabama. They were fortunate to meet Chief Alfred Anderson, ground commander and flight instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen. She felt honoured and inspired by stories of determination, courage, and bravery. From that day forward, she became a believer that all things are possible. Her aviation career has afforded her the opportunity to have travelled the world, which has only deepened her appreciation for multi-culture, diversity, and flying. Diane holds a Masters of Science in General Psychology and a Masters of Science in Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems.
Captain Diane Pencil, together with Atlas Air and Lufthansa has been fostering assistance to Malaika, a girls STEM school in Kalebuka, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Captain Pencil serves as a remarkable role model, in her presentations she emphasises the significance of education and self-belief among the girls. Their collaborative efforts highlight the crucial role of education and empowerment for young girls in the DRC. Through their collective contributions, they are making a meaningful difference paving the way for a brighter and more inclusive future.
- FAA basic and advanced ground instructor, Flight instructor MEI
- FAA ATP B747, DC9, CL65, LR31A, SF340 & BE1900
- ECAA ATP B737 NG
- NCAA ATP B737NG
- Safety and Health Management for Small Business Certificate
- STEM initiatives at Malaika