Dian told FIMELA.com that building her own PR firm allows her to put her vision into practice, create jobs, and raise awareness of a growing industry. Investing in the business makes the work more meaningful to her.
She promotes PR’s role in building company brands through business conversations and professional associations. She teaches at Prasetiya Mulya, mentors at the Jakarta Founder Institute, and supports entrepreneurship through GEPI and the Entrepreneur Festival.
Dian wants Indonesia to develop more high-quality brands that demonstrate not only the country’s entrepreneurial potential but also its ability to run businesses well.
Starting her own firm has made Dian busier and more creative. A longtime aspiring entrepreneur, she felt ready at 40, when her child was 11. Her greatest capital was not money but spirit, knowledge, networks, and the support of others.
Finding the right employees has been her biggest challenge. Still, she sees her firm as both a source of jobs and a place where people can learn and grow.
Aspiring to be a war correspondent
Dian dreamed of becoming a war correspondent from junior high school. Films such as Platoon, Tour of Duty, and Band of Brothers interested her for their humanitarian lessons, not just their violence. Twelve biographies her mother bought her—including those of Hannibal, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Marco Polo, and Jacques Cousteau—taught her about adventure, perseverance, exploration, and logistics, including staying supplied and avoiding exhaustion at work.
Returning to Indonesia after the SBS Internship Program in Melbourne during Reformation, Dian saw an opportunity for PR to grow in a more democratic society. She joined Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide to learn and build her network, realizing she could continue writing without being a journalist.
From biographies to overalls
Dian enjoys biographies of Hillary Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Margaret Thatcher, admiring their commitment and determination, as she does Cut Nyak Dien’s. She believes in standing up for what matters. Her literary favourites include Mochtar Lubis’s Tiger! Tiger! and Senja in Jakarta, Umar Kayam’s Priyayi, and Sindhunata’s Anak Bajang Menggiring Angin. She also values Sindhunata’s football commentary: like life, football requires cooperation, rules, and fair play.
Dian enjoys Brava Radio and concerts, including Java Jazz, Adam Levine, NKOTBSB, and Kahitna. She favours comfortable overalls and simple shoes that suit her personality rather than a particular brand. Her wardrobe includes black, white, dark blue, light brown, red, and batik. She values white’s versatility, black’s slimming effect, dark colours’ serious presence, and red’s suitability for Asian skin. Light brown is her favourite: like wood, it suggests simplicity, strength, and humility.
She also admires mechanical watches by Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, IWC, and Panerai for the dedication and craftsmanship behind them.
Other selected articles on Dian Noeh
Enhancing PR skills and capacities through mentorship – The Jakarta Post
Dian Noeh: From War Journalist to Public Relations
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