Inspirational, Motivational & DEI Keynote Speaking with Deanna Jones
Keynote Speeches that unlock the potential within your organization.
I create space for reflection, honesty, and just enough discomfort to move people forward.
I create space for reflection, honesty, and just enough discomfort to move people forward.
My talks are about inclusion — but more than that, they’re about unlocking the potential we miss when people are busy hiding who they are.
I speak to the people in the room who’ve been waiting for permission to lead differently. I challenge the ones who don’t realize they need it. And I remind every single person that they bring something irreplaceable to the table — whether they’ve been told that or not.
Every keynote can stand alone or spark something bigger. I also offer custom workshops, team sessions, and long-term consulting for organizations that are serious about cultural change and ready to do the work.
So if you’re looking for a speaker who will leave your people thinking, “I’ve never thought about it that way” — you’re in the right place.
Keynote Topics
Embrace Your Gift: The Real Key to Culture and Engagement
Reconnecting teams with their purpose by uncovering the gifts they've been hiding.
Most talks on purpose and engagement start with a framework and strategy—but this one starts with your story.
In my signature keynote, I invites audience to reconnect with their natural strengths—the gifts they’ve too often set aside to fit in or keep up. Drawing from my own corporate journey and personal awakening, I challenge individuals and leaders to create workplaces where people don’t have to leave their spark at the door.
This isn’t a framework—it’s a return. Because when people bring what lights them up to work, they don’t just perform better—they change the culture from the inside out.
Focus: Helping teams and leaders rediscover the power of purpose by reconnecting with the gifts they’ve been hiding — and creating cultures where those gifts are free to shine.
Focus on People, Not Politics: The Real Value of Inclusion
Inclusion as a Business Strategy, Not a Buzzword.
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.
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
Speaking Reel
See Deanna in action.
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
Inspiring Perspective
Our Lulu Press, Inc team enjoyed our time with you immensely. Thank you for sharing your inspiring perspective!
JoAnn Chamberlin
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
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
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
Profound Authenticity and Humor!
Profound Authenticity and Humor! What a combination tapping into our humanity.
Susan Mazonson
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
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
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
Thank you so very much for the tools you’re sharing that will empower us to be better allies and advocates.
Marcell Crawford
Great use of humor to balance out the depth of emotional engagement.
Honnalora Hubbard
Nothing short of an extraordinary storyteller
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 for transgender professionals in the workplace.
Ashley Osteen
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
Deanna was excellent!
Her sense of humor made the session enjoyable and light-hearted, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
Audience Member
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
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
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
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 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
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.
