Danielle Lewis Jones is fueled by her passion to live life to the fullest. She graduated summa cum laude from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and she earned her master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati.
She currently serves as the head of communications for Kroger Health. Prior to her current role, she served as a vice president and senior manager of public relations for Fifth Third Bank and as a senior media relations associate for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
She is involved in the community and enjoys volunteering her time to causes she believes in. She is the co-author of two published books and has served as a mentor for high school, college students, and young professionals; a Girl Scout troop leader; and a tutor for elementary school students. She is a board member for Ladies of Leadership, an organization that provides confidence-building, leadership, and career development skills to young women in Greater Cincinnati and she serves on the public relations committee for the First Tee of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
She has been recognized with many honors including but not limited to: A Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, Cincinnati’s 20 leaders under 30, Venue Magazine’s 30 leaders under 30, a 2016 Business Courier Forty under 40 leader, a YWCA Rising Star, and the Cincinnati Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s Rookie of the Year. She is a proud graduate of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change Class 7 and WE Lead Class 16.
In 2015, after the death of her infant son, she started an organization to help families cope with the devastating effects of child loss and she currently serves on LifeCenter’s Donor Family Council.
She resides in Cincinnati, OH and enjoys public speaking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
In 30 seconds or less, tell us who YOU are. This is not your professional bio, but rather, your response should reflect how you are uniquely you.
I am an energetic, positive, faith-filled young woman who always believes the best is possible and is yet to come. I love God, my family, my friends and my community. I have a sincere desire to help everyone around me achieve their goals and I love shining a light on other people and helping them to find their purpose.
What is the primary motivation of your leadership?
The primary motivation of my leadership is to help others be their best. I never want to stop busting through glass ceilings or lifting while I climb. I want my sky to be the next generation’s floor.
What has been the cornerstone of your life journey that influenced your personal mission and purpose?
I’ve had several cornerstones that have influenced my life journey complete with many valleys and mountains; however, the most defining one was when my son died in my arms. I’d always wanted to be a mother and when he passed away, I had to learn how to shapeshift my purpose. From that defining situation, I learned how to use my voice as an advocate, I learned the true meaning of authenticity and I learned how to not judge others.
Who has had an immense impact on you as a leader? How did this person (or people) impact your life?
I’ve had several managers, mentors and role models who have equipped me with critical and necessary skills to be an effective leader. I’ve also learned extremely valuable lessons from the various career development programs that I’ve participated in and from my peers who have been in the programs with me. The two most influential people who have taught me the most about combining my professional and personal characteristics are my mother and my father, Diane and Daryl “DL” Lewis.
What piece of advice have you received along the way in your career or life journey that has stuck with you?
I’ve received several pieces of advice through the years but a few critical lessons that I’ve learned include never being afraid to let my voice be heard when I have a seat at the table, adopting Nelson Mandela’s quote of “I never lose. I either win or I learn,” and remembering that my journey has been curated just for me and to not compare my successes or my shortcomings to other people, but to instead focus on how I can become a better person every day. I’ve also learned to not judge anyone for their circumstances.
The pieces of advice that my parents shared with me at a young age that have remained with me include my mom teaching me that the worst answer I could ever receive when going after something is “no,” so never be afraid to ask for what I want out of life. My dad has always instilled in me, “To aim for the moon and if I miss, I’ll always be amongst the stars,” which means to go after all of my dreams and even if I don’t achieve them in the manner in which I hoped, I’ll still be soaring high because I at least had the courage to go after what I desired.
What one thing makes you most proud?
From divorce, to child loss, to health issues and several other situations, I’ve turned my journey and my struggles into positive and impactful lessons that I know have inspired people. I’ve never lost my smile or my determination to win in life!
What’s one thing you do every day (or with consistency) to be a better person?
I read something positive every day (whether it’s a Bible verse, a good news story, a devotional, etc.). I speak daily affirmations and I try to spread positivity wherever I go.
What are a few resources or behaviors you would recommend to someone looking to grow into a better leader?
Know what you know but know what you don’t know and be OK with that. Come into alignment with the belief that every part of the destination is part of the larger journey and enjoy it every step of the way because it all works together in the end. Fall in love with feedback and figure out what to apply when and find a mentor and a personal board of directors to help you along the way.
How do you define success?
Being a better person and leader than I was yesterday; and understanding that I either win or I learn.
Why do you choose to make the Cincinnati region home?
My family and friends are here and I love our big/little city.
What do you imagine for the future of the Cincinnati region?
That the population’s diversity in terms of age and race would continue to flourish and that we’d have the infrastructure to attract and retain young and top talent. I want to continue to see fresh talent come to the city and take us to the next level. I also desire for our city to have more affordable housing so people aren’t struggling to keep a roof over their heads and for us to have enough healthcare programs and food programs so that people get the care that they need and they don’t go hungry.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
My legacy will be full of empowering others to reach their goals. I’ll be remembered as someone who helped plant, water, fertilize and put sunshine on others’ dreams and helped them grow into strong and powerful trees. I will leave an indelible mark on the earth that will never be erased.
