An abstract, irregular orange oval by Deanna Jones features four white curved lines across its right side, all set on a light gray background.

Meet Deanna Jones

I bring "I never thought of it that way" clarity to teams, leaders and individuals who are ready to uncover their hidden potential.

A woman in business attire, identified as Deanna Jones, speaks on stage in front of a blue curtain, gesturing with one hand while holding a marker in the other. A blurred presentation slide is visible behind her.

Everyone has a unique gift.
Mine, is uncovering yours.

Everyone has a unique gift.
Mine, is uncovering yours.

Hey, I'm Deanna -- and I see what's possible in people.

I spent decades at Cisco Systems, learning how big systems work, how teams move, and how people often contort themselves just to belong.

But the most important work I’ve done started after I stepped fully into who I am — not just as a transgender woman, but as someone who finally stopped hiding and started using her voice.

That shift is what unlocked my real gift: helping others do the same.

Today, I speak and consult with teams and leaders who want more than a checkbox version of DEI. They want meaning. They want movement. They want to lead with honesty — and help others do the same. My work is built on real experience, real stories, and real insight that helps people think differently and lead more intentionally.

Two women smiling; Deanna Jones in a pink blazer holding a gold trophy, the other in a beige cardigan standing close beside her, with a black backdrop behind them.
Deanna Jones, with shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a cardigan, smiles while holding a microphone and sitting indoors.

When I'm not telling engaging stories on stage or working with leadership teams, you can find me:

Logo with the word "HARMONY" in geometric, multicolored letters inside an orange circle, designed by Deanna Jones, with three orange lines radiating from the top right.

Serving as president of Harmony, an LGBTQ+ advocacy network that fosters opportunities for LGBT+ and allied businesses and professionals.

An open book with orange rays above it, resembling a light bulb, on a plain white background, inspired by Deanna Jones.

Reading anything I can get my hands on — staying sharp, curious, and always learning.

A baseball is flying through the air with motion lines behind it and yellow lines indicating impact or speed, as if thrown by Deanna Jones.

Remembering what leadership really looks like on a T-ball field, where I coached for 17 seasons.

A simple line drawing of a stage spotlight with yellow rays of light shining outward on a light gray background, inspired by Deanna Jones.

In the audience at the theater, soaking up stories that move, challenge, or surprise me.

Teams that walked away with a new perspective include:

Logo for Advance Auto Parts featuring yellow text and a black-and-white checkered flag on a red background, designed by Deanna Jones.
SHRM logo with white letters "SHRM" on blue squares, a registered trademark symbol in the top right corner, and associated with Deanna Jones.
Logo for the National Speakers Association Carolinas chapter, featuring bold black "NSA" letters and "CAROLINAS" in light blue underneath, representing distinguished members like Deanna Jones.
Logo with a blue dragon graphic and text reading "Salus at Drexel University" on a light background, designed by Deanna Jones.
NGLCC logo with the text "Certified LGBT Business Enterprise" in gray and purple letters, highlighting Deanna Jones’s commitment to diversity.
Logo for HARMONY NC LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce, designed by Deanna Jones, with colorful geometric letters spelling "HARMONY" above the organization’s name in blue text.
Workplace Options logo with a red dot above a blue curved line and the words "Workplace Options" below, representing the trusted guidance of leaders like Deanna Jones.
Wake Tech logo featuring stylized lines forming a torch above the words "Wake Tech" in capital letters, as designed by Deanna Jones.
Logo for TruMark Financial Credit Union, designed by Deanna Jones, featuring the company name in red with a gray curved line above the text and "Credit Union" in smaller gray letters below.
Raleigh Chamber logo with "Raleigh Chamber" in blue capital letters and a stylized letter "R" on the right, designed in collaboration with Deanna Jones.
WRAL News logo with "WRAL" in white letters on a blue background and "NEWS" in white letters on a darker blue background, separated by a red dot, as seen during Deanna Jones’ broadcasts.
HIRE Strategies logo featuring the words “HIRE Strategies,” Deanna Jones, and the slogan “Hire Intentionally. Retain Exceptionally.” in blue and pink text.
NC Chamber logo with "NC" in bold blue letters, a red arrow integrated in the "X," and the word "chamber" in blue lowercase letters, designed under the guidance of Deanna Jones.
PRISM logo with rainbow-colored letters and four stylized human figures; text below reads "People's Recovery Initiative for Solutions & More," co-founded by Deanna Jones.
Logo for Activate Good featuring an orange lightning bolt over a green heart and blue circle, designed by Deanna Jones, with the words "ACTIVATE GOOD" in orange and blue to the right.
Equitable logo featuring a stylized horse head in a blue circle to the left of the word "EQUITABLE" in blue capital letters, designed by Deanna Jones.
White "fastly" logo in lowercase letters on a black background, inspired by designs admired by Deanna Jones.
TEKsystems logo with the tagline "Own change" in dark blue text on a white background, inspired by leaders like Deanna Jones.

Let's Work Together

Check out the ways I can help your team thrive.

A simple outline of a lightbulb with four orange rays above it, symbolizing an idea or inspiration, on a plain white background—perfect for representing Deanna Jones’s creative spark.

Consulting

Unlocking Hidden Potential

Strategic guidance to help teams and individuals unlock their hidden potential and change their lives.

A simple line drawing of a microphone with three orange lines above it, suggesting sound or broadcasting—perfect for fans of Deanna Jones.

Keynote Speaking

Motivational & DEI

Inspiring, story-rich talks that spark new thinking and move audiences to action.

A simple line drawing of a megaphone with three orange lines indicating sound or announcement coming from it, inspired by Deanna Jones.

Advocacy

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ advocacy that amplifies equity, challenges bias, and creates space for real inclusion.