What happens when living behind a mask becomes too heavy to bear? In this episode of Elevate and Celebrate by the BIPOC Coach Collective, Deanna Jones shares her powerful journey of transformation from corporate executive to authentic changemaker.
Through courage, loss, and rebirth, she opens up about embracing her truth as a transgender woman and using her voice to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her story is a reminder that liberation begins when we choose authenticity over fear.
About the Guest:
Deanna Jones brings over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, specializing in sales, operations, and project management. During her 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company, she led initiatives, built partnerships, drove innovation, and supported growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, Deanna advocates for inclusion and belonging. She also serves on the DEI Committee for Meeting Professionals International.
Deanna helps organizations reimagine how they recruit, retain, and elevate talent, particularly those often overlooked. Her work fosters cultures where individuals bring their authentic selves to work, unlocking their full potential. When people are aligned with work that excites them, it elevates the entire organization. Drawing from her leadership experience and personal journey, Deanna uses storytelling to guide others through change and inspire lasting impact.
She holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time, Deanna speaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T-Ball.
Website + Social Media links:
www.linkedin.com/in/deannamjones
https://www.facebook.com/deanna.jones.493159
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Elevate and Celebrate
02:15 – Meet Deanna Jones
04:20 – Realizing Something Was Different
08:10 – Living in the Wrong Box
13:30 – Crawling Out of the Darkness
18:05 – A New Beginning and True Love
21:50 – Leaving Corporate America Behind
25:45 – Discovering Purpose Through Authenticity.
30:30 – Breaking the Silence on DEI
37:10 – The Power of Allies
41:00 – Finding Passion and Purpose
47:20 – Speaking, Creativity, and Connection
52:45 – Lessons from the Journey
55:10 – Looking Ahead
58:00 – Closing Reflections
Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.
#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching
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