Her Story
About Tanya
Tanya White-Deyo is a seasoned finance and accounting professional whose career spans more than two decades across healthcare, telecommunications, education, and nonprofit organizations. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, she currently serves as a Senior Financial Analyst with UVA Health, where she works within the controller’s office managing accounts receivable analysis, AP accruals, revenue analysis, and a wide range of financial operations responsibilities. Known for her strong analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities, Tanya has built a reputation for delivering accurate financial reporting and helping organizations strengthen operational performance and financial accountability.
Throughout her career, Tanya has consistently embraced growth opportunities and leadership roles. Prior to joining UVA Health, she spent several years with Inova Health System, progressing through increasingly senior financial positions focused on healthcare finance and revenue cycle management. Earlier in her career, she held accounting and management roles in telecommunications and other industries, overseeing teams of finance professionals and contributing to budgeting, reconciliations, payroll, contracts, and financial analysis initiatives. Tanya credits much of her success to her willingness to step outside her comfort zone, including returning to finance after years away from the field and taking on complex accounts receivable responsibilities that expanded her expertise even further.
Beyond finance, Tanya is widely recognized for her passion for communication, leadership development, and community engagement. A Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the highest honor awarded by Toastmasters International, she actively mentors others in public speaking and leadership while serving in multiple district leadership roles throughout Virginia. She also combines her love of communication and entertainment as a radio host and longtime DJ and karaoke host. Holding both a Master of Accounting and Financial Management and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, along with Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist credentials, Tanya continues to lead with integrity, service, and a commitment to helping others grow professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tanya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mother making me a well-rounded child. She gave me many opportunities to do many different things, and that made me very confident and able to do multiple things. I've also been shaped by being a 4-Her, a JC for many years, and now being a Toastmaster - it's all been very helpful and taught me a lot. These experiences have given me the confidence to take on diverse roles, from being an accountant to also being a DJ with my own radio show on MXTR FM, and even driving Uber when I want to get out and talk to people and improve my impromptu speaking skills.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to always say yes. Just do it. Try it. Don't shy away from an opportunity. That mindset has opened so many doors for me throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the finance field is to find the right opportunity. There are lots of opportunities out there, but finding the right one is very important. Look for the one that has the culture and the ties to your experiences - that alignment is crucial for your success and satisfaction.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Moving into the AR arena has been a significant challenge for me. I've been a manager of different organizations and worked in accounting in the past, and I moved into finance with Inova after many years of not being in finance - I'd been in finance years ago at Equant, which is France Telecom, but I hadn't done it for many years before coming back to it. Now, moving to UVA, it's been a challenge to go back to my accounting roots and take on a lot of the revenue and AR responsibilities, which is a new area for me. I really hadn't been in just a real AR capacity like I am now - not this way, or not for this much.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are respect for other people, dealing with people with integrity, giving service to others, and always striving for excellence. These are very much my own values, which I definitely reflect in working with Toastmasters and in my regular life, my work, and everything else. That's what I try to do - live by these principles in every aspect of my life.
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