KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) is announcing the appointment of Diane Hutsell as executive director and director of philanthropy, formalizing her leadership of the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers and their families during times of illness and injury.
Diane Hutsell
Hutsell joined SCF in March 2025 as director of philanthropy, leading donor engagement and development while strengthening relationships with trucking industry partners, supporters and stakeholders. She assumed the additional role of interim executive director in May 2026 and has since overseen the organization while continuing to advance its fundraising and philanthropic efforts.
“Having served on the SCF Board of Directors for 14 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see the organization grow and evolve, and Diane’s appointment represents an exciting next chapter for SCF,” said Joyce Brenny, immediate past president and president, CEO of Brenny Transportation. “Diane has demonstrated a deep commitment to our mission and a genuine passion for supporting professional truck drivers through the challenges they face. We are thrilled to have her leading SCF and look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Hutsell brings more than 25 years of experience spanning philanthropy, nonprofit and museum leadership, cultural tourism, community engagement and senior services. Throughout her career, she has led fundraising initiatives, community outreach programs, strategic partnerships and organizational growth efforts focused on connecting people with resources and strengthening the communities organizations serve.
A longtime resident of Southeast Tennessee, Hutsell earned her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Wesleyan University and pursued graduate studies at Middle Tennessee State University. She has also served on nonprofit boards and supported numerous community initiatives throughout East Tennessee.
20 Years of Helping OTR Drivers in Need
Hutsell assumes the permanent leadership role at a pivotal time for SCF as the organization approaches its 20th anniversary and looks toward its next chapter of supporting professional drivers and their families. Since helping its first driver in 2008,
SCF has provided assistance to nearly 4,200 truck drivers and their families and distributed more than $5.5 million in direct financial assistance.
Rigs Without Cigs
At the same time, SCF has expanded its focus on preventive health and wellness programs designed around the unique challenges faced by over-the-road drivers. Its Rigs Without Cigs smoking cessation program has helped more than 1,000 professional drivers quit smoking, with another 160 significantly reducing their tobacco use. The program has achieved a 41% quit rate, compared with a national benchmark of fewer than 9% of smokers successfully quitting in a given year.
Cancer Screenings
Since 2023, SCF has also provided more than 230 preventive screenings for prostate, colorectal and cervical cancers to professional drivers, helping address barriers to routine healthcare created by long hours and demanding schedules on the road. Eight drivers have received positive screening results that led to early detection and the opportunity for earlier medical intervention.
Devoted to Helping Truckers
“I am honored to lead St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and continue serving a community I have quickly come to admire,” Hutsell said. “When illness or injury takes a professional driver off the road, the impact on their family can be immediate. I’ve seen firsthand the difference SCF can make, and I look forward to working with our team and partners to reach even more drivers and families.”
Hutsell’s connection to trucking also has family roots. Her father worked for Mack Trucks, giving her an early connection to an industry she would later serve through SCF. Since joining the organization, her work with professional drivers, sponsors and industry leaders has given her an even deeper appreciation for the people who keep America moving.
“Every driver we help has a story, and every dollar raised or health resource provided can have a very real impact on someone’s life,” Hutsell said. “There is tremendous opportunity ahead for SCF, and I look forward to building on the organization’s legacy while finding new ways to improve the health and financial well-being of America’s professional drivers.”
St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund
Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund provides financial assistance and health and wellness programs for over-the-road truck drivers who are unable to work due to illness or injury. The nonprofit helps cover essential household expenses while also offering free health initiatives including diabetes prevention, smoking cessation, cancer screenings and other wellness resources designed specifically for professional drivers.
SCF is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last year. The SCF also provides several free preventative health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including tobacco cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings and vaccine vouchers.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
