Deshauna Barber

Deshauna Barber is a trailblazer in leadership, advocacy, and public speaking, uniquely combining her military experience with a passion for social impact. As the first soldier to be crowned Miss USA, Deshauna has used her platform to champion the rights of servicewomen, veterans, and marginalized communities, advocating tirelessly on Capitol Hill and in public forums. She is the founder of Women Veterans For Change.

With over 11 years of service as a logistics commander in the U.S. Army Reserve, Captain Barber led the 988th Petroleum Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, demonstrating strategic leadership and operational excellence. Her STEM background as an IT Analyst for the U.S. Government further solidifies her technical expertise, which she seamlessly integrates into her advocacy work.

In 2019, Deshauna became the youngest President & CEO of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), where she spearheaded significant organizational growth, including a dramatic increase in funding and staffing. Her ability to forge strategic partnerships with major corporations like Procter & Gamble and Walmart has elevated SWAN’s mission, bringing critical issues affecting servicewomen and veterans to the forefront.

A sought-after international speaker, Deshauna has delivered transformative keynotes for Fortune 500 companies such as Goldman Sachs, Google, Verizon, Coca-Cola, and Amazon. Her messages on leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and mental health resonate deeply, inspiring organizations and individuals to pursue meaningful change.

Deshauna’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in business management, a master’s in computer information systems, and a Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. She has been featured on The Steve Harvey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Daily Show, Live with Kelly, Good Morning America, and in publications like Glamour and Diversity Magazine, where her impact and leadership continue to inspire.