DEANNA JONES’ KEYNOTE PRESENTATION TOPICS
Story-Driven Keynotes That Empower Businesses to Help Their Employees Thrive
Through storytelling, real-world experience, and practical strategies, I help leaders, teams, and organizations tackle today’s biggest workplace challenges. From building inclusive cultures to navigating change to mastering the art of storytelling, each keynote is designed to spark new perspectives, drive meaningful action, and leave a lasting impact.
Explore my keynote topics below and let’s create an experience that resonates with your audience.
Recruit, Retain, and Raise – Inspiring Leadership for Growth
You’re Out of Touch, You’re Almost Out of Time
Workplace culture isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. In this dynamic session, I share real-world, actionable strategies to help leaders create workplaces where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated to stay. With 35 years in corporate America—including 25 years at a major tech company—I’ve seen firsthand why traditional management approaches aren’t cutting it anymore. I’ll show you how purpose-driven leadership can transform the way you recruit, retain, and inspire your team—because when people feel like they belong, they show up differently.
Focus: This keynote is designed to help leaders move beyond outdated management styles and build purpose-driven, people-first workplaces that attract, retain, and empower top talent.
Key Takeaways:
From Managing to Leading: Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection. Learn how to replace outdated management tactics with a leadership approach that fosters loyalty, engagement, and long-term growth.
The Workforce is Changing—Are You? With 75% of the workforce soon to be Millennials & Gen Z, leaders must understand what truly motivates them. Discover how to create a workplace culture that resonates—beyond surface-level perks.
Retention Starts with Growth: Employees stay when they feel valued and empowered. Learn how to recruit the right people, retain top talent, and help them grow—because when employees thrive, businesses thrive.
Inclusion as a Business Strategy, Not a Buzzword.
Focus on People, Not Politics: The Real Value of Inclusion
Inclusion isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a business strategy that works. In this session, I break down the real data behind why diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones in creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. With 35 years in corporate America, I’ve seen firsthand how fostering an inclusive environment isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do for long-term success. Attendees will walk away with tangible evidence and actionable strategies to create workplaces where people—and businesses—thrive.
Focus: This keynote challenges the outdated notion that inclusion is just a buzzword or compliance requirement. Instead, Deanna demonstrates how inclusive workplaces drive real business results—boosting innovation, problem-solving, and employee engagement.
Inclusion is About People, Not Politics—Leaders who focus on human connection—rather than divisive narratives—build stronger, more engaged teams. Inclusion isn’t a debate; it’s a driver of collaboration, innovation, and productivity.
Key Takeaways:
Diverse Teams Perform Better—And There’s Proof — Through hard data and real-world examples, leaders will see how inclusive teams outthink, outperform, and outlast their competitors. Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a proven business advantage.
Inclusive Cultures Strengthen Retention & Growth—Inclusion isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about creating workplaces where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Leaders will leave with actionable strategies to build a culture that attracts and retains top talent.
Navigating Lifequakes – Embracing Change and Meaning
The Wolf in Your Story: Embracing Life’s Biggest Disruptions
Change is inevitable—but how we navigate it is what defines us. In this deeply personal and transformative session, I share my journey through one of life’s biggest transitions—what I call a 'lifequake'—and the lessons I learned about resilience, identity, and growth along the way. Whether you’re facing a career shift, a personal transformation, or unexpected upheaval, this talk will help you embrace change with courage, find meaning in uncertainty, and come out stronger on the other side. Through storytelling, reflection, and real-world insights, we’ll explore how to turn even the most disruptive transitions into opportunities for growth.
Focus: In this keynote presentation, attendees will learn how to embrace uncertainty, find meaning in change, and move forward with strength—even when life feels completely off course.
Key Takeaways:
Turn Upheaval into Growth—Major life changes—career shifts, personal transitions, or unexpected loss—can feel like endings. But with the right mindset, they can also be new beginnings that lead to greater self-discovery, resilience, and personal reinvention.
Reframe the “Wolf in the Fairy Tale”—Disruptions challenge the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. Instead of seeing challenges as setbacks, attendees will learn to reshape their narratives and turn obstacles into opportunities for transformation.
Navigating Change with Resilience—It’s not about avoiding life’s disruptions—it’s about learning how to move through them with courage and intention. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to handle uncertainty, rebuild confidence, and create a future with purpose.
Public Speaking Master Class
The Power of Storytelling: Captivate, Connect, and Inspire
Great speakers don’t just share information—they tell stories that stick. In this hands-on masterclass, I’ll show you how to bring your presentations to life through the power of storytelling. Whether you’re leading a meeting, giving a keynote, or pitching an idea, the right story can captivate your audience, build real connections, and make your message unforgettable. Together, we’ll transform your speaking style, turning facts into narratives that truly resonate.
Focus: In this hands-on masterclass, I teach participants how to harness the power of storytelling to make their presentations more engaging, memorable, and impactful.
Why Storytelling Works (and How to Use It Effectively)—Facts tell, but stories sell, persuade, and inspire. Learn how storytelling activates emotions, builds trust, and makes your message unforgettable.
Key Takeaways:
The Science & Structure of a Great Story—Discover why stories are 22x more memorable than facts alone, and how to use proven storytelling frameworks to capture attention and hold it.
Bringing Stories to Life on Stage—Master the art of vocal delivery, pacing, and body language to make your stories not just heard, but felt—turning any presentation into a powerful, engaging experience.
Lenora Billings-Harris
“Deanna, 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.”
Ashley Osteen
“Hi Deanna! I just want to say that I really enjoyed listening to you speak at the event last week. I have never actually heard anyone speak up like you did. You did a really great job! You are beautiful! I hope you have a great day.”
Kisha Payton (she/her)
“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.”
Sof Mehlitz