Honoring the Legacy of Diane McComb and Her Impact on Qlarant

Qlarant joins communities across Maryland and the nation in mourning the passing of Diane McComb, a transformative leader and lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. Diane passed away peacefully at home on May 8, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer.

Her career—spanning more than five decades—left an indelible impact on disability rights, public policy, and quality improvement systems across the country. Among her many professional contributions, Diane’s work with Qlarant stands out as a defining chapter of collaboration, leadership, and innovation.

“She was an outstanding colleague and an even better confidant and friend. No matter what the contract, any critique was given and received in the spirit of putting our best forward. She was a true positive force for our team and a valuable friend to many of us.” – Sue Kelly, Qlarant Sr. Statistician

Diane served as Qlarant’s Aging and Disability Subject Matter Expert from 2008 to 2019, providing expertise across multiple state contracts in Kansas, Ohio, California, and others.  In this role, she helped expand Qlarant’s efforts in quality improvement for Home and Community‑Based Services (HCBS), Intermediate Care Facilities, and long‑term services and supports. Her extensive background in federal and state policy, Medicaid, community waiver programs, and health disparities positioned her as one of Qlarant’s most respected technical experts, driving key initiatives that improved outcomes for people with disabilities nationwide.

“Diane challenged us to think differently about how we approached people—not just those with IDD—and she consistently lifted us to her level. That’s why customers and coworkers alike adored her. She knew how to showcase our work and defined what became the ‘Qlarant Way.’ Even in retirement, she remained our ambassador, proudly wearing her Qlarant hat as she traveled and sharing the impact of her former colleagues.”  – Former Qlarant COO Bob Foley

Diane’s approach to quality improvement emphasized what mattered most: outcomes rather than processes. She believed that true quality could not be measured simply by visits completed or boxes checked, but by the real‑world results experienced by individuals and families. “Too often we evaluate processes rather than outcomes… Counting attendance but not healthcare results is not quality assessment,” she shared in her Qlarant Board Profile—an insight that helped shape Qlarant’s commitment to creating solutions that genuinely transform health.

During her tenure, Diane contributed to projects involving policy consultation, person‑centered practices training, monitoring of state‑run Intermediate Care Facilities, root cause analysis, and technical assistance to state agencies. She also represented Qlarant as faculty for the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware, broadening Qlarant’s national presence and influence in disability leadership development.

Even after retiring from Qlarant at the end of 2019, Diane’s dedication to the organization—and its mission—continued. She reconnected with Qlarant by joining the Qlarant Foundation Board in 2023, expressing her admiration for the Foundation’s commitment to community impact and her enthusiasm for contributing to its work. “I love the work Qlarant does… I’m excited to again be affiliated with Qlarant,” she noted in her board questionnaire.

“Diane joined the Qlarant Foundation board in 2023 and continued her legacy as an insightful, eloquent advocate dedicated to empowering nonprofits across the funding spectrum. Her intellect and leadership were critical in transforming the Foundation into a strategic driver of social impact for Qlarant and we are forever grateful. We will carry her laughter, kindness, and tenacity in our hearts always.” – Amanda Neal, Qlarant Foundation Executive Director and Dr. Lamont Thompson, Board Chair

Diane’s long and distinguished career prior to Qlarant further informed the depth of expertise she brought to her role. As the first Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, she authored and navigated the enabling legislation that created the nation’s first cabinet‑level disabilities department, and she oversaw the development of the Maryland State Disability Plan—initiatives that continue to influence disability policy and service delivery across the state. Her leadership as CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS) resulted in groundbreaking wage parity for direct support professionals and elevated standards of excellence for nonprofit organizations statewide.

“Diane and I were in the Leadership Maryland Class of 2001 together. Over the years since then, we would occasionally run into each other in Annapolis during the legislative sessions. After many years, we ended up working at Qlarant together. Even after she retired, Diane would regularly send photos of her wearing her Qlarant hat as she traveled around the world. She just couldn’t stay away from Qlarant…and doing good…so she joined the Qlarant Foundation Board and pushed to give away even more money to nonprofits in need.” – Dr. Ron Forsythe, Jr., Qlarant CEO

Diane’s influence extended far beyond her formal roles. She remained active as a board member, advisor, and volunteer with organizations including the Qlarant Foundation Board of Directors, FREE of Maryland, Main Street Housing, and others, embodying a lifetime of service dedicated to improving lives and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities.

“For the past 20 years, Diane has meant so much to me. She wasn’t just a mentor—she was a dear friend. She was one of the kindest, most gracious, and most thoughtful people I have ever known. Her impact reached countless lives, and she was a powerful advocate not only for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but for all marginalized communities. Through her compassion and her passion, she taught us so much. We were truly fortunate and deeply blessed to have known her.” – Marion Olivier, Qlarant Sr. VP of Operations

Qlarant honors Diane McComb for her leadership, her vision, and her steadfast commitment to the people and communities we serve. Her colleagues at Qlarant remember her not only for her expertise, but for her compassion, mentorship, and unwavering belief in equity. Her work continues to shape our mission and guide our approach to creating meaningful, measurable, and lasting improvements in the quality of health and human services. Her legacy lives on in every policy change she championed, every program she strengthened, and every life she helped empower.