Diesa Seidel: Founder and Executive Director

           In 2008, Diesa Seidel founded and became the Executive Director of United Initiatives for Peace (UIP). Diesa is an avid philanthropist who strives to find innovative ways to serve local and international communities. As an educator and athlete, she has a keen interest in creating positive recreational opportunities for youth and encouraging standards for higher education. Diesa aspires to build basketball courts (Court Quest) and facilitate empowerment programs (GRACE Corp) as part of a worldwide global initiative with the vision to promote self-confidence, higher education, and character development for females in high need communities.

           Before founding UIP, Diesa played basketball professionally overseas at the Pro A level (France/Italy). She later worked as a Physical Education teacher (New Jersey, USA) and started running her own basketball camps and clinics for youth of all ages through Diesel Hoops (DBA). She has since resigned from her position to invest her time, energy, and superpowers to further establish UIP’s vision and goals. She plans on collaborating, partnering and networking with other organizations worldwide to strengthen and manifest the mission of UIP.

           Diesa is also pursuing her Master’s Degree in Global Affairs at Rutgers University (Newark, NJ) and is working to establish a Charter School by 2025, which will embody experiential & creative learning, character development, and a vision of global citizenship.

           Diesa has visited and served in over 50 countries and has been recognized internationally on over 10 occasions as an Ambassador for Peace by various service project organizations.

           Diesa’s father, Dietrich, and mother, Elisabeth, are natives of Austria and France respectively. She and her brother, Christopher, were born in Toronto, Canada and hold tri-citizenship with France, Canada and the United States. Diesa grew up in Red Hook, New York and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Public Relations at Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY).

           Diesa considers herself “Supra-Denominational” and enjoys studying world religions and attending services of all faiths. One of her favorite quotes that encompasses her views comes from the 14th century Italian poet and philosopher, Francesco Petrarch: "Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty & truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart of life and is prophetic of eternal good."

Diesa works, studies, serves, and resides on Planet Earth.

She is 29 years old.

Diesa’s Basketball Bio

           Diesa started her basketball career in her hometown of Red Hook, New York. There she became her high school's all-time leading scorer (scoring over 1500 points), was named "New York State Player of the Year" in 1997, and was recruited nationally to play Division I basketball.

           Following high school, she was granted a full athletic scholarship to play D-I basketball at Marist College. She has been recognized both regionally and nationally for her accomplishments, being named an "Academic All-American." At Marist, she became the all-time leader in blocked shots in a single game, season, and career. Despite injuries, she scored over 1200 points, ranking her amongst the top offensive players in the conference. In 2002 she was named "Marist Sports Person of the Year."

           Throughout her summers in college, she earned a spot playing on French Jr. and Sr. National Teams, where she competed in the Jr. European Championships (Turkey, 1998) and in the Francophone Games (Canada, 2001). After her collegiate career, Diesa played professionally in both France and Italy. While overseas, she played at the National Pro A level and competed in the Euroleague (top professional European league). During her rookie season, her team reached the national finals and was awarded the silver medal.