Deana began her career as a public relations specialist at Hirons and immediately assumed an upward trajectory. Now a 24-year veteran of the agency, she serves as chief executive officer and is the first female to serve in this role in the agency’s 46-year history. Under Deana’s skilled leadership, Hirons is one of the largest advertising, public relations and digital agencies in Indiana. Deana recently led the charge in Hirons becoming a Women’s Business Enterprise, certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the State of Indiana and City of Indianapolis. Deana is best known for her work in crisis communications and issues management and routinely volunteers her time to provide training on these critical topics. Deana was named by IBJ Media as a member of their 2024 Indiana 250 list and a 2018 Woman of Influence.

Deana serves on the boards of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indy Chamber, Central Indiana Women’s Business Center, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Madam Walker Legacy Center, Indiana Conference for Women, OneZone Chamber of Commerce and Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance and on Aspire’s Economic Development Advisory Council. She is an active member of the Indianapolis chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and serves as the 2024-2025 board chair for the Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), one of the largest Scout Councils in the U.S. She is the first woman to chair the board.