We recently connected with Deandra Duggans and have shared our conversation below.
Deandra, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from the strong women and men in my family who have shown me what perseverance truly looks like. I’ve watched them meet every challenge head-on—whether personal, professional, or unexpected—while still trying to simply show up. Their ability to navigate life’s ups and downs has been my greatest example. I’ve had my share of personal challenges to overcome as well and have had to push forward and adapt and try to show up for my family with love, strength, and grace. Seeing everything that my family has overcome has shown me that no obstacle is really too great. That foundation has shaped how I approach my career and life, always able to get up, adjust and keep moving forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve built my career at the intersection of sports, marketing, and culture, helping to create meaningful connections between sports/entertainment and fans. I’ve been in the industry for 15 years and have had an untraditional to professional sports, which is where I’ve always wanted to end up. I definitely used every opportunity along the way, to learn new skills, take on new challenges and find ways to apply those learnings to new opportunities. I currently serve as the VP of Marketing for the Las Vegas Aces, where I lead efforts to elevate the team’s brand, fan engagement, and in-game experience. Every day, I get to shape how people experience women’s basketball and that is rewarding for me.
What excites me most about my work is the ability to help create experiences – both visually and in-person – that brings fans closer to the players and the product. I grew up playing sports and found confidence and purpose using sports as a platform. I grew up admiring women athletes, this league and its players, finding joy in seeing women that looked like me, succeeding in the sport they love. I know what sports helped me become, how WNBA games made me feel and I love being part of today’s momentum to inspire a new generation of fans. It’s chasing a familiar feeling. It’s also incredibly fun to wake up each day and do the work I do. I’ve been able to reach goals I’ve only dreamed about by working in the NFL and the WNBA. There are far more stressful things in the world and I am blessed to have a career in sports and entertainment that brings me joy.
Right now, I’m focused on blooming where I’m planted and finding ways to push the needle, continuing to help elevate the team’s brand in the aspects that we can control, which is how people experience us. We want to show entertainment value for fans and help our partnerships team show return on investment. I love that we have a staff from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives and we’re able to draw inspiration from them to create something special here.
Beyond my role, I’m passionate about uplifting the next generation of marketers, especially Black women in the industry. Whether it’s through speaking engagements, panels, or one-on-one conversations, I want to continue opening doors and creating opportunities for others the way so many have done for me.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Personally and professionally, I think the three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are:
1. Adaptability – The ability to pivot and evolve as things change, especially when your plan of action doesn’t work out. Trying to break into the industry can seem daunting and I think people have a lot more opportunity now than when I was making my way. I wasn’t sure if my goals would work out and the plan I had to get there had so many detours, but I knew I couldn’t fail. Failing wasn’t a choice for me for several reasons. I think that helps me in my work as well – never really settling for a “no” and always finding a way to pivot. Sometimes in sports, you have to change up the game plan at halftime! Marketing, especially in sports, moves fast. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow, and the ability to pivot is critical. I’ve learned that being adaptable isn’t just about reacting to change—it’s about anticipating it. For those early in their journey, embrace change as part of the process. Stay open to learning, experiment, and don’t be afraid to change up your game plan.
2. Build relationships – Be intentional about building real relationships, not just a network. Listen more than you talk, add value where you can, and always operate with integrity. I credit my relationships with people for every opportunity that I have. I thank the people who have spoken my name when I wasn’t in the room, who considered me for opportunities that I didn’t even know were possible. Also be willing to do the same for others!
3. Intuition – Marketing is both data-driven and creative. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is knowing when to trust the numbers and when to trust my gut. I haven’t always gotten it right but I think that’s so important as a marketer – to take risks. Data can guide decisions, but the most impactful campaigns often come from an instinct about what will resonate emotionally. It’s important to know your stuff but also know when to bet on yourself.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Relax, relate and release! Honestly, I try to pause first and step away – maybe by taking a walk or simply taking time to breathe deeply. Then, I try to prioritize and ask “what’s important now?” and “what can I control?” Mind mapping helps because it dumps it all from my brain onto paper and I can sort through it visually. Next, is leaning on my team for help because they’ve always got my back! Feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed will always come up and this is a continuous learning opportunity for me to find the best ways to navigate it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deandraduggans.com
- Instagram: @dduggs11
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/deandraduggans
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dduggs11
Image Credits
Al Powers
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