IABC Atlanta | Getting Your Seat at the Table

Speaker: Deisha Barnett, President, Global Communications, UPS

Summary: A fireside chat sharing the career-changing moments that helped elevate Deisha Barnett  to her current role. Deisha will share tips with communication professionals at any stage of their career journey to share the lessons she learned and applied on her journey to becoming a thought leader who counsels CEOs, serves on the board for top named beauty brands, and her role as the architect behind ATL Action for Racial Equity which aims to address the effects of systemic racism in the community and workplace.

About Deisha Barnett

Deisha is an accomplished leader and corporate board director who counsels CEOs, shapes strategies, advocates for inclusion and builds high-performing teams. She is a passionate driver of transformation and results.

Deisha is on the board of directors for Urban Skin Rx, a skincare brand for diverse skin tones. She is the executive sponsor of the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee. Deisha is also president of the global communications function at UPS where she leads all facets of storytelling targeting UPS’s workforce and external stakeholders.

Previously, Deisha led the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s brand communications team and was the organization’s first head of DEI. Her work spanned communications, marketing and the region’s millennial and gen Z-targeted movement, ChooseATL. She was also the architect behind ATL Action for Racial Equity, which aims to address the effects of systemic racism in the community and workplace.

For nearly a decade, Deisha was a senior leader in Walmart’s communications team. Crisis and financial communications, consumer public relations, philanthropy communications, DEI communications and CEO positioning are among the areas that fell under her leadership.

Deisha’s fingerprints helped position Walmart as an innovative business, trusted brand and responsible corporate citizen.

Deisha started her career in Ketchum’s consumer brands and multicultural marketing practices. She is known for her authentic leadership, high energy and impactful approach to storytelling. PRWeek described her as a “pro who represents the future of PR.”

Deisha was named the 2022 Woman of Excellence by the United Way of Greater Atlanta. Her nonprofit board service includes: the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau; the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications; the Atlanta Press Club; the Grady Health Foundation and communications committees for Super Bowl LIII and the 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

Deisha is a proud wife, mom and alumna of Clark Atlanta University (CAU). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a concentration in public relations. Her alma mater honored her with its 2022 Pathways to Excellence Award, one of the highest honors given to CAU alumni.