Her Story
About Deanna
Deanna Hirsch is a technology sales executive with 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex digital transformation across networking, cloud, collaboration, cybersecurity, and AI-driven platforms. She began her career after earning a degree in communications, stepping into an entry-level sales role in the technology space where she quickly built a strong foundation in understanding enterprise systems, from collaboration tools like unified communications platforms to engaging strategically with senior executives such as CIOs and CEOs. Early in her career, she progressed rapidly from inside sales to outside sales and became a senior representative within five years.
Over the course of a 16-year tenure with her first organization, Deanna advanced into sales leadership, managing teams within healthcare and life sciences and developing expertise in solution selling, forecasting, and large enterprise account strategy. She later joined Cisco, where she served as a senior consultant focused on modern networking and digital infrastructure. After returning to an individual contributor role, she continued to expand her impact across enterprise accounts, later joining Amazon Web Services, where she worked across broad customer segments before specializing in healthcare and life sciences. Today, she serves as a senior account manager at Presidio, where she was recruited for her deep industry expertise and proven ability to drive client outcomes in complex enterprise environments.
Throughout her career, Deanna has been a strong advocate for women in technology and mentorship in the industry. She has contributed to initiatives such as Girls in Tech and volunteered in programs bringing technology education to students in underserved communities. Her professional approach is grounded in listening, resilience, and solution-oriented partnership-building, with a strong belief in speaking up, adapting to change, and continuously learning. Now working as part of a diverse, collaborative team, she continues to focus on helping clients achieve meaningful transformation while also supporting the advancement of women in technical and leadership roles.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've spent my career in a male-dominated industry in tech. I attribute my success to having the drive and not being afraid to speak up and share my ideas where I feel they'd be useful, instead of sitting back. I enjoy challenge people.
In 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I've been forced to figure out how to balance work and life. My career in tech for healthcare and life sciences has become personal, with the advancement of medicine tying directly to advancements in — and my work in — AI. This has brought new meaning to my motivation in life. People are often amazed that I can be in active treatment fighting cancer, raise 2 kids, and still thrive in my career — but I do. I do it for my family. I do it for myself to maintain a "normal" life.
I've learned to find ways to partner with people — not just delegate but build a team atmosphere so I'm not the only one carrying the burden, at work or at home. It takes a village in my situation. I'm lucky that I have people: a nanny, my husband, my parents, my sister, my in-laws, my friends and supportive employer. Building a strong support system is so important in order to have a successful career and balance my personal life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I would give — and what I've learned along the way — is to learn to listen early on. Honestly, it's not easy, but it's so powerful. I myself have had to learn throughout the years to be a better listener. Communication in general is key — with my customers, with my family.
The other big thing is maintaining a positive attitude and not sweating the small stuff. Earlier on in my career, especially in sales, you get a lot of rejection. You have to learn how to cope with that rejection, pick yourself up off the floor, and move on — even in my cancer journey, I've had to just pick myself up and keep moving.
Those are the things you don't learn in college, you don't learn in grade school. It takes a certain person to pick that up. That's an innate thing that people learn.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be your authentic self. Don't be discouraged by rejection — there's always tomorrow and around the corner is always a "win". If there is one thing that I have learned through my cancer diagnosis is that having a positive attitude carries people a long way. I truly believe that. I have lived it. Don't hold back in your career or life because life is too short. You never want to look back and have regrets.
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