About Me
Background
DeAnn Akins is founder and CEO of OctoFly Dreams, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. DeAnn has more than 18 years of experience in facilitated leadership development and brings a passion for personal growth and innovation. A Kansas native, DeAnn holds a Master of Science in Education from the University of Kansas. Classically trained at the Kansas Leadership Center, she has honed her craft as a Fellow with the LeadingAge National Leadership Academy and as a creator and facilitator of leadership programs across the nation. DeAnn has been a licensed nursing home administrator in North Carolina and served as an Administrator for a skilled nursing setting, assisted living and home care agency.
Guided Experiences
- Leadership Development (State, Regional and Individual Organization levels)
- Strategic Planning
- Creating and Nurturing a Culture of Innovation
- Community Building and Collaboration
- Coaching
- Creating a Service Culture
- Targeted Operational Audits
Philosophy
DeAnn has a long held love for both the Octopus (which symbolizes diversity, vision and insight) and the Dragonfly (which symbolizes change, transformation and self-realization). Many of the guided experiences and work created by DeAnn centers on these tenets.