The Ion is Houston’s hub for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Deanea oversees the identification of strategically-aligned partnerships and community engagements, as well as the development and management of relationships for The Ion. She partners with organizations locally and globally to create experiences at The Ion that meet the needs of Houston’s diverse community of entrepreneurs, investors, students, and those seeking to get connected to the tech and innovation economy.

Prior to joining The Ion, Deanea served as the Director of Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Education at Station Houston, an incubator for high-tech startup companies. At Station Houston, she provided resources to Houston-area startups, created a landing pad for international startups to access the Houston market, and developed opportunities for underrepresented populations to benefit from Houston’s innovation economy.

Deanea previously served as chief of protocol in the Houston mayor’s office where she developed mutually beneficial partnerships between local organizations and institutions abroad. Additionally, she served as a vice president of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Deanea serves on the boards of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Houston Latin American Philharmonic, a professional orchestra created to promote and elevate to the highest artistic level Latin American music, musicians and composers.

She holds an MBA and BA in International Studies and Spanish.