Diana “Queen D” Partner, from Altoona, started driving for Uber in State College six years ago to make some extra cash on the side. However, this side gig has become so much more for Partner.

After driving students home Thursday through Saturday, she noticed a pattern. Female students expressed an overwhelming sense of security and comfort when they got Diana as their driver. Not only was their driver a woman, but also someone friendly, caring, and charismatic who went above and beyond to keep them safe.  

“When I would pull up, they’d be ecstatic that it was a female and so relieved. They would tell me some horror stories,” Partner said. “They shouldn’t have to be scared or have trepidation about getting an Uber.”  

After Partners’ number was shared from friend to friend and between sororities, she had groups of girls seeking her out specifically each weekend to get home. Through this, she quickly recognized the need for a women-only rideshare service in State College and thus created Guardian Angel Services.  

With Guardian Angel Services, Partner emphasizes customer service and safety, making sure her clients enjoy their ride and get where they need to be, even walking students to their door on some occasions.  

“It fills me up to do what I do,” Partner said.

Guardian Angel Services has grown from the Uber app to students sharing Partner’s personal number and planning rides ahead with her to ensure they have a safe and worry-free weekend.  

Unlike Uber, Partner doesn’t use surge pricing to raise her rates during high-volume pick-up periods. Her goal is to be affordable so students aren’t deterred from taking the safest option home.  

Along with short-distance rides on the weekends, Thursdays through Saturday, she now offers longer ride services as well. Students can schedule with her in advance to get home for the weekend, out of town for a trip, or to and from the airport. Partner also goes above and beyond the role of a driver and offers pet sitting, cleaning, driving instruction, moving aid, and more for her clients. 

Partner currently finds her clients via networking through Uber rides, messages on social media apps, and word of mouth from her previous riders.  

“It is always easy to get rides from her,” Nicole Serravallo, a student who uses Queen D for rides, said. “She has always made us her priority and will always pick us up whenever we are in need of a ride. She is very nice and cares a lot about her passengers.”

Moving forward, Partner hopes to create an app where she can offer her current services and expand in the future. Partner is working with entrepreneurship students at the Small Business Development Center through the LaunchBox at Penn State to create a business plan, work on app development, and continue to grow over the next couple of years. She also hopes to hire single moms in the area once her venture expands.  

Though it is a woman-only driver service, Partner will pick up anyone who needs a ride no matter what gender, sexuality, or background they come from. Guardian Angel Services represents safety and security and provides options, unlike other rideshare apps.

Partner plans to continue working with Penn State to further her venture and create a network of female drivers who are eager to provide excellent customer service and truly care for the students they work with.  

“I want [Penn State students] to feel safe and enjoy their college experience,” Partner said.