By: Craig Mills, ’81C
For so many Up with People alumni, our Cast or Crew remains at the heart of the UWP experience. Long after our year—or years—on the road, the memories, friendships, and experiences we shared continue to connect us to the people with whom we traveled.
The Outstanding Cast/Crew Representative Award honors alumni who continue building and strengthening those connections long after the tour has ended. Through their time, energy, and dedication, Cast/Crew Reps keep their fellow alumni connected, informed, and engaged—not only within their own Cast or Crew, but with the larger UWP alumni community.
Dale Gustafson – ’86D
Every cast has someone who becomes the glue—the person who keeps the group connected long after the buses stop rolling and the show lights fade. For Cast ;’86D, that person is Dale Gustafson.
Dale’s dedication as a cast representative has spanned decades, but his leadership became especially vital during the COVID years. As the world shut down and isolation grew, Dale stepped forward with a simple but powerful mission: keep the cast connected. He organized Zoom gatherings that brought together castmates from across the globe—Japan, Australia, Europe, and North America—creating moments of joy, laughter, and reconnection during a time when they were needed most.
But Dale’s efforts didn’t stop with virtual gatherings. He worked tirelessly to track down cast members who had drifted out of touch, searching online platforms, reaching out through mutual contacts, and even sending letters to last‑known addresses. His persistence paid off. Castmates who had been silent for years reappeared, grateful to be welcomed back into the fold.
Today, Cast 86D enjoys an active Facebook page and a thriving WhatsApp group—both maintained by Dale—where updates, memories, celebrations, and support flow freely. These digital spaces have become a lifeline for castmates navigating life’s ups and downs, and they exist because Dale made connection a priority.
His leadership played a major role in the strong turnout for the cast’s 40th reunion. Many castmates credit Dale’s tenacity, optimism, and personal outreach for bringing them back together. His work has strengthened friendships, rebuilt community, and ensured that the bonds formed in 1986 continue to grow.
Beyond his cast rep role, Dale’s life is defined by service. Since 2016, he and his wife Shannon have sponsored international military students at Fort Leavenworth, welcoming families from Norway, Mongolia, Mali, Pakistan, and Djibouti. Their home has become a place of hospitality, cultural exchange, and support for those far from home.
Dale and Shannon have also raised more than $23,000 for World Vision by running marathons and half‑marathons to support clean water projects in Africa. In 2019, they traveled to Uganda to see the impact of these projects firsthand and meet the children they sponsor. Their journey continued to Tanzania, where they summited Mount Kilimanjaro — a testament to their determination and commitment to the cause.
Dale volunteers actively in his church, serving as an usher, helping with communion, teaching at Vacation Bible School, and performing in Christmas Eve services. He recently completed a 12‑week Citizen’s Police Academy to better understand and support his local community.
Through all of this, Dale remains humble, warm, and deeply committed to the people around him. His leadership as a cast representative reflects the very best of the Up with People spirit: connection, service, and the belief that community is something we build—and rebuild—together. The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly honors Dale Gustafson as a 2026 Outstanding Cast/Crew Rep Award recipient.
Zan Diener – ’91E
For more than 35 years, one person has been the steady, joyful, and creative force keeping Cast 91E connected… Zan Diener. Her dedication as a cast representative began the moment the cast stepped off the road in 1991—and it has never wavered.
In the early years, Zan produced printed newsletters, mailed across the country and around the world. These newsletters were more than updates; they were lifelines, reminders of a shared year that shaped each cast member’s life. As technology evolved, Zan adapted, helping maintain the cast Facebook group and creating an annual holiday newsletter that often reaches 50 pages. These newsletters have become a cherished tradition—a blend of updates, photos, memories, and reflections that preserve the cast’s shared history.
Zan has also taken on the painstaking work of tracking down missing castmates. Through online searches, personal outreach, and sheer determination, she has reconnected people who had drifted away, ensuring that no one is left behind. Her efforts have kept Cast 91E not just in touch, but truly connected—a vibrant, supportive community that spans continents and decades.
Her leadership extends far beyond cast communications. Zan is the President of the Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (ROAAN), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Up with People alumni in times of crisis. Under her leadership, ROAAN has provided financial and emotional support to alumni facing medical emergencies, unexpected hardship, and life‑changing challenges. Her work with ROAAN reflects the same compassion and commitment she brings to her cast: a belief that community means showing up for one another.
Zan and her husband Larry are also deeply involved in volunteer work across Southern California. They are trained 60‑inch telescope operators at the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, sharing the wonders of the universe with visitors. They volunteer with the Los Angeles Zoo’s Enrichment Department, making toys and enrichment items for animals. They take at‑risk youth sailing on tall ships with the LA Maritime Institute, offering adventure, mentorship, and confidence‑building experiences. And they serve as trained whale‑watch naturalists, helping the public connect with the ocean and its wildlife.
Zan also served as Chair of the UWPIAA Future Committee, leading a global team of alumni to help shape the association’s direction and vision. Her leadership, insight, and collaborative spirit helped guide the organization into its next chapter.
Through all of this, Zan remains humble, warm, and deeply committed to the people around her. Her castmates describe her as the heart of 91E — the one who shows up, year after year, with care, intention, and a belief that staying connected matters.
The Up with People International Alumni Association proudly honors Zan Diener as a 2026 Outstanding Cast/Crew Rep Award recipient.