Deanna Jones
Inspirational, Motivational & DEI Keynote Speaker
Helping teams & Individuals unlock their hidden potential.
Uncover your gift.
Move from the knowing to the doing.
Change your life.
If someone leaves the room thinking about something differently than when they walked in, that’s success for me.
Deanna Jones
Deanna Jones is nothing short of an extraordinary storyteller. She’s making an amazing impact in the North Carolina business community, helping professionals see the business case for inclusion and develop greater understanding and empathy...in the workplace.
Ashley Osteen
SPEAKER. CONSULTANT. LGBTQ+ ADVOCATE.
Meet Deanna Jones
If your people are burned out, boxed in, or just going through the motions — it’s not a motivation problem. It’s a gift problem.
Deanna Jones is a keynote speaker and former corporate leader who helps organizations uncover the untapped potential in their people. With 35 years of experience and a story that’s as compelling as it is transformative, Deanna challenges leaders to move beyond checklists and frameworks and start creating cultures where people are energized, empowered, and actually want to stay.
She’s not here to deliver another DEI training. She’s here to remind your team what they’re capable of — and to help you build a workplace where everyone’s gifts can rise.
People don’t remember the framework.
They remember the story.
People don’t remember the framework.
They remember the story.
After hearing Deanna’s unique, story-telling approach, your team will be equipped to:
Create a workplace where people feel valued for who they are — not just what they do
Shift from surface-level inclusion to genuine connection and culture that retains top talent
Recognize and cultivate the unique gifts in themselves and each other
Let's Work Together
Check out the ways I can help your team thrive.
Consulting
Unlocking Hidden Potential
Strategic guidance to help teams and individuals unlock their hidden potential and change their lives.
Keynote Speaking
Motivational & DEI
Inspiring, story-rich talks that spark new thinking and move audiences to action.
Advocacy
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ advocacy that amplifies equity, challenges bias, and creates space for real inclusion.
Best [DEI] Webinar I've been to.
Thank you SO much…this was the best webinar on the topic I’ve been to (and as a DEI person I’ve been to my share of them!)
Sof Mehlitz
Enlightening, Inspiring, and Heartfelt Talk
“Deanna’s talk was educational, inspiring, and incredibly moving. The event attendees provided positive feedback and they were grateful for her sharing her story and for fostering a conversation that allowed for questions to be asked, judgement free, and perspective could be gained. I’d recommend Deanna to speak at any event in the future due to the amount of value and perspective she brought for the group.”
R. Brett Weaver, TEKsystems
“Deanna, thank you so very much for sharing your story with us and for the tools you’re sharing that will empower us to be better allies and advocates.”
Kisha Payton
Incredible courage and vulnerability.
“You drew us in with your story. Great use of humor to balance out the depth of emotional engagement. Once you had our attention, you followed it up with expert level content and delivery. Transitions, disruptors, life quakes. The solutions were thoughtful and actionable.”
Honnalora Hubbard
A phenomenal job
You did a phenomenal job yesterday! We were so thankful to have you join us!
Serenia Parsons
I’d recommend Deanna to speak at any event in the future due to the amount of value and perspective she brought for the group.
R. Brett Weaver, TEKsystems
We are so glad she agreed to keynote for our event!
Our firm hosted a half-day seminar for LGBTQ+ and allied individuals to provide education and resources on finances, legal guidance, mental and physical health, and more. Deanna was hired to do our Keynote speech and asked to bring home how all of these things connect for the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting her personal experiences through her own journey. She did an amazing job resonating across generations with the audience and setting our event off to a truly inspirational start! Deanna is poised, prepared, and thoughtful as an inspirational speaker.
Nicole Guernsey
We’re better for having heard you.
Your reminder that change is inevitable — and that the best planners are those who adapt and lead with intention — resonated deeply with our audience. The way you helped us unpack the tension between DEI values and risk management was both thought-provoking and necessary. Your closing talk was enlightening and incredibly engaging. It showcased your dynamic speaking skills and left attendees energized. You truly have a gift for connecting with an audience and driving meaningful conversation. Thank you for your generosity, insight, and leadership.
Candice Batts
Your presence, honesty and truth are so powerful.
I love how alive and present you are on stage, your presence, honesty and truth are so powerful.
Audience Member
Making an amazing impact
Deanna Jones is nothing short of an extraordinary storyteller. She's making an amazing impact in the North Carolina business community.
Marcell Crawford
Thank you so very much for the tools you’re sharing that will empower us to be better allies and advocates.
Marcell Crawford
Absolutely transformative experience.
Absolutely transformative experience. I’ve received so many notes about how impactful you, your story, and your activity were.
Torri A. Staton
Informing and touching
Deanna's session was informing and touching. We all experience transitions in life and we were able to reflect on some of them.
Samantha Bray
I feel affirmed by your presentation.
“Your message is so powerful and very needed! I had a ’lifequake’ December of last year, and I am doing all the things you suggest. I feel affirmed by your presentation.”
Lenora Billings Harris
Deanna was excellent!
Her sense of humor made the session enjoyable and light-hearted, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
Audience Member
Deanna isn't afraid to talk about the hard stuff, and that's what makes her so impactful.
She approaches every conversation with grace, empathy, and vulnerability, fostering honesty and understanding that lead to meaningful learning and lasting impact.
Brittney Derrick, CPCE
Educational, inspiring, and incredibly moving
Deanna’s talk was educational, inspiring, and incredibly moving. The event attendees provided positive feedback and they were grateful for her sharing her story and for fostering a conversation that allowed for questions to be asked, judgement free, and perspective could be gained.
R. Brett Weaver, TEKsystems
Profound Authenticity and Humor!
Profound Authenticity and Humor! What a combination tapping into our humanity.
Susan Mazonson
Inspiring Perspective
Our Lulu Press, Inc team enjoyed our time with you immensely. Thank you for sharing your inspiring perspective!
JoAnn Chamberlin
Great use of humor to balance out the depth of emotional engagement.
Honnalora Hubbard
Book Deanna for your workshop, conference or event.
Give your leaders the tools to recognize the gifts in their people — and create a culture where those gifts thrive.
