Providence-based Gilbane Inc. is a builder and developer, but until Diane Fasching joined the company, it did not spend nearly as much effort developing its work force. But thanks to Fasching, who is the company’s vice president and director of learning, Gilbane is nationally-recognized for its staff training and development work.
Fasching had been the learning and development manager at Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. in North Kingstown, now Hexagon Metrology Inc. (READ MORE), before she came to Gilbane in 2000 to work with Gilbane Chairman Paul J. Choquette Jr. on the development of Gilbane University (GU).
Under Fasching’s leadership, the 135-year-old construction company went from having about seven training programs to more than 500 different courses to help employees advance on their career paths. The company now invests more than $5 million annually in GU. And for the past five years Gilbane has been ranked one of the world’s top training organizations, including best in class for construction in Training Magazine’s annual Top 124.
“[Gilbane] considers employees as resources that are not truly developed, which matches my passion for continuous learning for personal growth and organizational growth,” Fasching said.
The training program is a priority for Gilbane, because the company has 2,100 employees in 11 regions throughout the United States, and it wants to deliver consistent performance to clients, whether in the Chicago office or Phoenix or in New England, Fasching said.
William Gilbane, COO and president of Gilbane, said she has achieved that goal and exceeded expectations.
Fasching, who was Gilbane’s first female vice president, also co-founded the Attleboro Women’s Initiative and Gilbane’s women’s group, called Advance.
“There are so many talented women here that weren’t connected before [Advance]. Now we are working to reach their potential and advance their careers,” Fasching said.
Gilbane said Fasching is driven in both her work and her desire to help others.
“Beyond setting up the university, she has a passion for people and helping them develop. She finds their strengths and helps them develop their careers, and she loves doing it. She takes pride in it,” Gilbane said.
Before Brown & Sharpe and Gilbane, Fasching served as education and training manager for Texas Instruments in Attleboro – the company’s first female training manager – and was responsible for training programs in Europe and the U.S., she said.
Fasching’s approach to work is informed by her own experiences. After caring for her mother during her fight with cancer, Fasching vowed to create a local hospice organization and helped found Hospice of Washington County, as well as Seniors Helping Others.
“When you are in the corporate world, you become overly concerned about business issues. By doing hospice work, it brings me back to what the essence of life is about.” •
