Her Story
About Deanna
Deanna Lemons is a dedicated social services professional based in East Tennessee with more than 30 years of experience supporting families and children. She began her career in education as a teacher before transitioning into early childhood evaluation and parent advisory work, where she focused on developmental support and family engagement. Over time, her commitment to advocacy and community well-being led her into broader roles centered on strengthening family stability and access to essential resources. She later served as a domestic violence advocate with the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, where she supported survivors through court processes, safety planning, and housing navigation. In this role, she worked closely with individuals experiencing crisis to help them build safer, more stable futures. Her work has consistently centered on empowerment, trauma-informed care, and connecting individuals with the tools and support systems needed to move forward. Currently, Deanna works as an East Tennessee Collaborative Mobility Mentor within a multi-county self-sufficiency initiative funded by a major United Way grant. In this role, she partners with participants to develop personalized, goal-oriented action plans using the EMPATH model, addressing key life areas such as mental/physical health, housing, employment, education, networking and family stability. She is known for her holistic, hands-on approach to mentoring and her commitment to helping individuals overcome barriers and achieve long-term independence.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my compassion, resilience, and commitment to helping others. My personal life experiences have strengthened my empathy and my ability to connect with individuals facing challenges, enabling me to make a meaningful impact in my work. A faith walk that grows me daily.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received has come from a variety of mentors, including family members, college professors like Mr and Mrs Fish, and current supervisors such as Amy , Cristina and LaToya who have all supported my professional development and encouraged my continued growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering my industry to remain compassionate, stay committed to helping others, and be resilient in the face of challenges. I also emphasize the importance of perseverance and maintaining a strong sense of purpose in their work.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in nonprofit work right now is securing consistent funding. However, there are also strong opportunities in collaboration and community partnership. Working together with churches, local agencies, and supportive institutions such as banks in Oak Ridge—like Y-12 Bank and others—makes a significant difference. The strong sense of community in Oak Ridge, where organizations come together to support shared goals, is what ultimately helps expand impact and better serve those in need.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value compassion, service, and perseverance in both my work and personal life. I am deeply committed to helping others improve their lives and believe in meeting people where they are while guiding them toward growth and stability. My faith and family also play an important role in shaping my values.
In addition, I enjoy art, traveling, and participating in Bible study. These interests provide me with balance and support as I navigate both my professional responsibilities and personal growth.
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