Ayanna Dutton-Diaz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ayanna, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building that no one sees is my commitment to self-auditing. I’ve spent years doing the inner work: learning to listen to my intuition, lean into discomfort, heal through triggers, and grow into the best version of myself. That quiet work is where the real transformation happens. It shapes how I lead, how I love, and how I show up for others. Every lesson, every moment of reflection, helps me align deeper with my purpose. And at the heart of it all, I want my daughter to see that becoming your best self isn’t about perfection. It’s about being brave enough to keep choosing yourself, again and again, with love, honesty, and intention.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I like to say I’ve lived on both sides of the professional spectrum: the corporate grind and the creative journey. I spent years building my career inside major marketing and media organizations, learning how brands move, how strategy shapes culture, and how storytelling connects people. But over time, I realized that growth in those spaces often came at the cost of authenticity.
That realization inspired me to create my own lane. I co-founded Non-Corporate Girls™, a podcast and media brand that bridges the gap between the 9-to-5 and the 5-to-9, giving women of color space to talk honestly about career, wellness, and defining success on their own terms.
That same mission led me to launch AD Consulting, my personal brand consultancy where I help professionals, founders, and creatives clarify who they are, refine their voice, and show up intentionally in the world. My work blends strategy with soul because I’ve learned the two don’t have to exist separately.
At the heart of everything I do is alignment—helping people (and myself) build lives and brands that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My dad saw me long before I ever saw myself. Growing up, his love, attention, and belief in me were everything. He poured into me with creativity, care, and pride reminding me there was no dream too wild and no limit too high. He was my biggest cheerleader and my first mirror, showing me my own light before I even recognized it.
He passed away when I was ten, but his energy and lessons still guide me. The way he saw me with joy, with conviction, with endless possibility became the foundation for how I see myself today. His love taught me what it means to believe in your own power, and that’s the same belief I hope to model for my daughter.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her: You matter, exactly as you are. You’ve always been the breaker of chains, not just in our family but in our community. I know it hasn’t been easy; you had to grow up too fast, carry heavy things, and fight to find yourself in spaces that didn’t always see you. But every challenge shaped your strength, your empathy, and your voice.
You are the creator I always knew you’d become, bold, purposeful, and unafraid to take up space. Keep daring to be you, even when the path feels lonely. The world needs your light.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say that what matters most to me is showing up with authenticity and purpose. I care deeply about being real, not performative, not perfect, just present. Whether it’s in my relationships, my work, or my community, I try to create spaces where people can exhale and be themselves.
Purpose is the other constant. I’m always asking the “why” behind what I do and encouraging others to do the same. My friends know I’m not moved by titles or trends. I’m driven by alignment, impact, and connection. For me, it’s about living in a way that feels true and leaves something meaningful behind.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I’d regret not going all in on the vision, the one that’s bigger than me. The one that brings my creativity, purpose, and voice together to shift culture, build community, and create opportunities for others to thrive. I know I’m meant to build something that outlives me. A movement that helps people see what’s possible when they choose alignment over fear.
I’d regret not taking up space on the stages, in the rooms, and across the platforms that remind the world that impact can look like empathy, that power can sound like truth, and that leadership can be human.
And on a personal level, I’d regret not giving my daughter the full example of what it looks like to live fully, to dream, build, and rest without apology. My biggest goal isn’t just to make a mark, but to make meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ayannadutton.com/ | https://www.noncorporategirls.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_aya_brand/ | https://www.instagram.com/noncorporategirls/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayannadutton/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/non-corporate-girls/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@noncorporategirls
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/photosbycohen/
https://www.instagram.com/_artofmemory/
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