Diana Haile

In March 2025, Diana placed 3rd in the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition with Y.U.T.H., an AI-driven software designed to identify mental health crises through phone usage patterns. Originally developed to support youth and teenagers, she refined her approach to focus on counseling services in educational institutions, helping schools intervene before crises escalate.

Diana’s journey began far from South Dakota. Born and raised in Spain, she arrived at Northern State University (NSU) in Spring 2022 as an exchange student. What was supposed to be a single semester abroad quickly became something more. She fell in love with the university, the opportunities, and the challenge of adapting to a new environment. By Fall 2023, she had made the decision to return and complete her degree at NSU.

It was during the Fall 2023 semester that she noticed a poster for the NSU (Student) Business Idea Pitch Competition. At the time, she had already developed the concept for Y.U.T.H. during her final year in Spain, but presenting it in a competitive setting—especially in a second language—felt daunting. Still, with encouragement from her husband, Thomas Haile, and support from Bea Smith, Director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center, and Dr. Sal Villegas, NSU Business Faculty, she decided to go for it.

The moment she stepped into the competition, Diana realized that having a strong idea wasn’t enough—she had to convince the audience and judges that her idea was of true value. Competing in English, in front of an American audience, she learned how to refine her message and connect with people who might not be familiar with the issue at hand. Despite the nerves, her pitch resonated. She secured third place and won two People’s Choice Awards, proving that her idea wasn’t just innovative—it was something people believed in. More importantly, the experience taught her how to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively, a skill that would prove essential in her future competitions.

Following her success, Dr. Hannah Walters, NSU Business Faculty member, encouraged her to apply for the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition—a statewide contest for entrepreneurs. For the Giant Vision competition, the stakes were higher. Diana had to not only pitch her idea but also demonstrate a solid, scalable business plan that showed potential for success in the real world. It was an intimidating prospect, but she took the challenge head-on. To increase her chances, she made a strategic decision: instead of targeting youth and schools, she shifted her focus to corporate employees. She believed this would align better with what the judges were looking for. But when the results came in, she didn’t place. The disappointment was overwhelming. More than just losing, she felt she had compromised her original vision and, in the process, lost sight of why she started Y.U.T.H. in the first place.

The setback forced her to step back and reevaluate, not just her business idea, but her approach to competition. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go through it all again. The emotional toll of rejection was heavy, and for a time, she considered walking away.

A year later, Dr. Sal Villegas encouraged her to reapply. At first, she resisted, reluctant to relive the disappointment of the previous attempt. But after much reflection, she realized she had one advantage this time: she knew what to expect. There was no need to be afraid of the unknown. She had already been there once before, and she had learned from it.

This time, she stayed true to her original mission. Y.U.T.H. was created for young people and educational institutions—not corporations. She refined her business plan, strengthened her pitch, and walked in with the confidence that she was presenting something meaningful. The results spoke for themselves. In March 2025, she placed 3rd, proving that success isn’t about pleasing judges—it’s about believing in your idea and standing by it. Diana’s success didn’t happen in isolation. Thomas Haile, her husband, was her unwavering support from the very beginning, encouraging her through every doubt and disappointment. She also thanks Bea Smith, Director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center, Dr. Sal Villegas, and Kelly Weaver, of the Small Business Development Center, for their guidance and support throughout her journey.

Self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed—became a defining part of her journey. Every setback, every rejection, and every doubt only reinforced what she now knows to be true: she is capable of overcoming any challenge. "I feel like I’m made of steel," Diana says. "Not because I never failed, but because I kept going even when I wanted to stop." As an international student, her challenges extended beyond business competitions. She had to navigate cultural differences, adapt to new professional expectations, and deliver pitches in a language that wasn’t her first. Each challenge tested her resilience, but in overcoming them, she proved to herself that she was capable of more than she ever imagined.

Diana isn’t done yet. With her newfound confidence and experience, she is looking ahead to the next phase of Y.U.T.H.. She is currently in early discussions with potential investors, exploring ways to scale the software and expand its reach. "This is just the beginning," she says. "I’m excited to see where Y.U.T.H. can go." With determination like hers, there’s no doubt that both Y.U.T.H. and Diana Haile are names to watch.