Deandra Coleman’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and transformation. As the founder and CEO of Beyond The C-Suite, she has become a powerful advocate for dismantling systemic barriers and reshaping corporate culture to be more inclusive and equitable for Black women. Through her work as a consultant focused on minority pipeline development and retention, Deandra champions environments where individuals are valued and supported to thrive.

With deep-rooted expertise and personal insight gained from years in senior executive roles, Deandra is not just addressing challenges, she is creating a blueprint for change. Her mission is to empower Black women to rise with confidence and influence in spaces that have historically left them overlooked or undervalued.

From Corporate Executive to Entrepreneurial Change-Maker

Before founding Beyond The C-Suite, Deandra built an impressive corporate career. After earning her MBA, she rose swiftly through the ranks, ultimately serving as Chief Operating Officer and later as Senior Vice President at two companies. In one role, her talent was so evident that a position was created specifically for her.

Despite her accomplishments, she found that traditional corporate settings were not designed to support or nurture Black women in leadership. Toxic work environments, emotional strain, and stifled potential led her to reevaluate her path. “The places I worked were not healthy for me,” she shares. “Too many Black women endure these same experiences undervalued, underpaid, and unable to fully contribute.”

Deandra’s decision to leave corporate America was not just a personal pivot—it was the start of a broader mission. She launched Beyond The C-Suite to guide and uplift Black executive women as they pursue leadership on their own terms.

Building a Platform for Transformation

Beyond The C-Suite was born from lived experience and a clear recognition of inequity. Deandra saw firsthand how organizations often fail to support Black women in high-level roles. Her goal is ambitious: to help 1,000 Black executive women become thought leaders and subject matter experts, enabling them to take control of their careers and secure the recognition and compensation they deserve.

She explains, “I want to help women still navigating corporate spaces achieve their highest goals. We are still vastly underrepresented in boardrooms, executive suites, and decision-making roles. I’m committed to changing that.”

The Foundations of Culture and Values

At the heart of Deandra’s company are a set of core values that define both her brand and her leadership approach. These include:

• Authenticity: Be true to yourself in every setting
• Excellence: Always strive to go beyond what is expected
• Freedom: Prioritize mental, emotional, financial, and time freedom
• Autonomy: Operate with ownership and independence
• Luxury: Deliver elevated, intentional experiences
• Laughter: Create space for joy
• Rest: Embrace rest as a necessary part of success

These principles are more than words. Deandra integrates them into every aspect of her business from team check-ins to client proposals ensuring they remain a living part of her company’s culture. “These are the values I live by,” she says. “They shape how I lead, how I work, and how I connect with others.”

A CEO with a Hands-On Mindset

As the founder and CEO, Deandra remains deeply involved in every corner of her business. From hiring and operations to marketing strategy and service development, she embraces each task with purpose. “I still touch every part of what we do,” she notes. “I love creating solutions. I’m most energized when I’m developing new ways to help our clients succeed.”

Her ability to strategize and move people from where they are to where they want to be is central to her leadership style. “I’m a builder by nature. It brings me joy to design pathways that drive real results.”

Insight for Emerging Leaders

Deandra offers this advice to those stepping into leadership roles for the first time: understand your own leadership style before trying to lead others. “Ask yourself who you want to be as a leader,” she says. “What legacy do you want to leave? Then be willing to listen, learn, and get in the trenches with your team.”

She believes strong leaders are those who serve first. “You can’t lead effectively from a distance. You have to engage, build trust, and guide with clarity and humility.”

Looking Ahead

Through Beyond The C-Suite, Deandra Coleman is helping shape a future where Black women can lead boldly and without limitations. Her work is more than professional, it’s personal. “I know the challenges because I’ve lived them. That’s why I’m committed to helping other women rise,” she says.

Her leadership is a call to action, not just for individuals, but for companies ready to build better cultures and systems. With each woman she mentors and each organization she supports, Deandra is redefining what leadership looks like, and ensuring that equity is more than an ideal, but a lived reality.