Courageous Leadership in Impossible Seasons

Leading Through Crisis While Holding Onto Purpose, People, and Yourself

Deanna Finch
Chief Executive Officer
United 4 Children

Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and actionable strategies, Deanna will teach us how courageous leadership is not about pretending to be unbreakable — it is about staying connected to your values, your identity, and small glimmers of hope when everything feels heavy.

“The goal is not to survive leadership. The goal is to remain whole inside it.”

Agenda:

11:30 – 11:45  Prime Networking
11:45 – 12:15  Pulse of PWA (announcements/intros/lunch)
12:15 – 12:40 Power Session w/ our Guest Speaker
12:40 – 12:45  Parting Purpose 

More about Deanna:

Deanna Finch (De) is a visionary nonprofit leader with more than two decades of experience driving organizational growth, advancing equity, and building community partnerships. Since 2018, she has served as CEO & Executive Director of United 4 Children, where she leads a dedicated team and statewide initiatives that expand access to quality early childhood education. Under her leadership, the organization has secured multimillion-dollar state grants, launched Missouri’s Child Care Community Leader program, and transformed a long-standing service model into a collaborative, equity-driven approach that deepens community trust. Known for her creativity, curiosity, and collaborative style, Deanna excels at connecting with others, resisting the status quo, and elevating diverse perspectives to create meaningful change.

Her career highlights include authoring and contributing to published works on equity and leadership, being featured in regional and national media for her expertise in child and family well-being, and serving as a community leader during the COVID-19 response. She is a graduate of FOCUS St. Louis’ Leadership and Women in Leadership programs, a Strategic Doing Practitioner, and a proud advocate for equity and inclusion in early childhood education. Whether leading through crisis, building sustainable partnerships, or mentoring future leaders, Deanna is committed to shaping thriving communities by investing in people first.