Deanna Banks
Principal

One of the firm's leading human capital consultants, Deanna Banks joined Furst Group's East Coast practice as a Vice President in 1998. She was promoted to a Principal in 2006 and now has an ownership interest in the organization.

Deanna, who founded the firm's Washington, D.C. office, has successfully placed Chief Medical Officers, Regional Presidents and Senior Operations Executives, along with a variety of other high-profile positions for Kaiser Foundation Health Plans, Catholic Health Initiatives, Texas Health Resources and Independence Blue Cross. She also has placed executives at some of the top 25 hospitals consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

Deanna continues her mission of leading cultural diversity initiatives in the health care industry by educating today's leaders on successfully attracting, promoting and retaining ethnically diverse health care professionals.

Her extensive background with the American Association of Health Plans (renamed America's Health Insurance Plans) has led to numerous long-standing relationships with key industry leaders.

In addition, Deanna has managed two prominent industry executive training programs, Executive Leadership Program (ELP) and the Minority Management Development Program (MMDP), and has been involved with key minority-focused health care associations. She also serves as an active member of the National Association of Health Services Executives.

An accomplished speaker, Deanna has addressed audiences regarding career development techniques and effectively recruiting and retaining an ethnically diverse workforce. She also delivered a presentation on career management at the Wharton School of Business.

Deanna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Paralegal Studies, as well as an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Legal Assisting, Magna Cum Laude.