I am pleased to start 2023 by announcing that Deanna Jones is joining the Total Engagement Consulting team as a consultant on call. She will initially assist with supporting our transgender and nonbinary consulting and training efforts as well as being a key note or LGBTQ Pride Month speaker. Over time she will be assisting in other areas such as DEI Council and Employee Resource Groups support.

Deanna has worked in the Technology field In Sales and Operations roles for over 25 years, including 23 years at Cisco Systems. Deanna has an MBA from Elon University and a Masters in Instructional Technology from University of Maryland University Global Campus. She has been a member of Toastmasters for 7 years and is currently serving as Area Director, is a member of Harmony LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce currently serving on their Board of Directors, and is also a member of Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time she likes to coach t-ball and has coached for 14 seasons. In 2020 Deanna transitioned to her authentic self while working at Cisco Systems.

Since transitioning, Deanna has become very involved with the LGBT+ community, including her board role with Harmony, the LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. She has a DEI certificate in Diversity &Inclusion Training from eCornell. She has frequently spoken at a storytelling group called, the Monti in Durham and has also served on various panels for DEI conferences.

Deanna is very interested in going out and speaking to other companies and at events to share her story of not only transitioning in the workplace, but her personal life as well. There is a powerful connection that comes from hearing someone share their lived experiences. It is how we make meaning in our lives. That is why, in addition to being on call with Total Engagement Consulting, she has formed deannajonesnow Consulting. The mission for this company is to help people understand what it is to be transgender in the workplace today and help corporations navigate personal transitions and transformations.

Whole, authentic employees make all the difference!