Sensei Ortenzio began training in Isshin-Ryu Karate in 1979 in Harrisburg, PA. Her instructors were Senseis Jake Stoss, Don Monismith, and Jim Clark.

After first moving to Baltimore and then Philadelphia, she became a student of Master Bud Ewing and a member of the Order of Isshin-Ryu fraternity.

Sensei was a fierce competitor for 23 years, attending many events in the Northeastern US, Tennessee and Virginia. She consistently placed in the top three in women’s black belt kata, kumite, and weapons.  In addition, she won the IHOF Women’s Overall Grand Championship 3 times, and the IHOF Women’s Kata Grand Championship and Kumite Grand Championships once each from 1996-2002. She retired from competition in 2003.

Some of sensei's awards include:

• 1992 IHOF Female Instructor of the Year. 

• 1998 IHOF Spirit of Isshin-Ryu Award. 

• 2003  inductee OIKKA Hall of Fame

• 2003 inductee Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame

Diane and her husband Toby moved to Gardnerville, Nevada in 1996.  She trained to become a member of Douglas County’s Search and Rescue Team, earning EMT-B and POST Investigative Mantracking licenses.  She has served on the Board of Directors, and as an operations leader.

She continues her education in karate, firearms, grappling, and arnis.