Deana Warner
Deana Warner is a finance executive and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with nearly 40 years of experience in finance, international accounting, manufacturing operations, and higher education financial leadership. Since beginning her career in 1985, she has built a reputation for delivering strategic financial insight, improving operational efficiency, and guiding organizations through complex financial and regulatory environments. Currently working as a Fractional CFO and Consultant, Deana supports multiple organizations through contract engagements while pursuing executive finance leadership opportunities, including Vice President Finance, Controller, and Chief Financial Officer roles. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Memphis and holds professional certifications in CPA licensure and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Deana’s career began with determination and resilience. She received a full scholarship to Christian Brothers University, where she was part of the first group of women admitted to the college and the first graduating night student cohort. While completing her degree, she worked full-time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and attended classes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus Saturday classes, for four and a half years. During the final two years, she was also a single parent. Initially planning to pursue software, she chose finance to support her family, discovering a field that allowed her to engage across operations, engineering, and manufacturing, developing skills in areas such as bills of materials, production routing, and cost management at an engineering-level capacity.
Throughout her career, Deana has held progressive leadership roles across multiple industries, including manufacturing, international accounting, and higher education. She began her professional journey at Coopers & Lybrand and later specialized in international accounting before transitioning to higher education finance, serving as Associate Vice Chancellor for Budgeting and Financial Analysis at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Deana also served as an adjunct professor for nearly 20 years, reflecting her belief that education is a bridge for social mobility and societal advancement. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a dedicated mother of three children—two sons and a daughter—and grandmother to two grandchildren. Her passions include writing poetry, attending the theater with her daughter, enjoying live music, reading, biking, rowing, and walks along the shoreline, demonstrating her commitment to creativity, wellness, and family.
• IFRS Certificate
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• University of Memphis - MSA
• Christian Brothers University - BSA
• Full scholarship to Christian Brothers University (Plow Scholarship)
• First group of women admitted to Christian Brothers University
What do you attribute your success to?
Grit. The truth of the matter is that we're all capable of achieving our goals. It's just a matter of how much do you want to sacrifice to get there. Like, I hear people say all the time, well, you know, I know a lot of highly educated idiots. Well, you know, they're probably not any smarter than the average person. May not be. I would argue that they probably are, but maybe they're not. But what they did do is they sacrificed their personal life, their fun, and their time, and their money, and their energy to attain something. And that's the key to anything.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came later in my journey, and it has stayed with me ever since: to be still, be quiet, and listen. As a woman building a career in the South, I didn’t have much mentorship early on, so this guidance was invaluable. It taught me that observing, listening carefully, and understanding the dynamics around you often provides far more insight and influence than speaking first. By pausing, reflecting, and truly listening, I have been able to make more thoughtful decisions, build stronger relationships, and navigate complex situations with greater clarity and effectiveness.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering the finance industry, I would encourage you to believe in your potential and remain steadfast in pursuing your goals. Focus on discovering who you are, building your career, and following your dreams before incorporating a partner into your life, so you can stand confidently in your independence and personal success. Throughout your journey, never take “no” as the final answer let it become motivation to prove what you are capable of achieving. When someone tells you that you cannot do something, treat it as fuel to push harder, work smarter, and show them what is possible through determination, preparation, and resilience. Your path may not always be easy, but persistence, confidence, and self-belief will carry you toward success.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Growth and ethics. I think that we need to continually grow, continually develop our skill sets, continually develop ourselves personally, and continually learn, because when you stop that movement, you stagnate. And I think ethics are something that we're sorely missing in every aspect of business these days.
Locations
Private Company
Silver Spring, MD 20910