Deanna Lewis

Bringing over three decades of visionary public health leadership to the role of Director of Transdisciplinary Training at the Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR), Dr. Lewis is renowned for innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking approaches. As the first woman firefighter in the Tucson Fire Department, Deanna demonstrated strategic problem-solving and inclusive program development, including the successful TFD Cadet Program, designed with the intent to increase the representation of women in the fire service and was the precursor to Camp Fury. Transitioning to healthcare, she/ze co-founded the Dequenesh Community Health Clinic, offering free healthcare to underserved populations, and led the College of Public Health's pioneering LGBTQ+ course. Deanna is a recipient of the Arizona Space Grant Fellowship, leveraging her expertise in photovoltaics to explore the intersection of renewable energy and public health. Additionally, Dr. Lewis is actively involved in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She/ze played a key role in the Kore Press Institute's Gender Diversity Initiative, supported by Haury’s Partnering Grant and serves as a consultant with Health Justice. As a proven leader, Deanna is dedicated to advancing AIR's mission as a hub for advanced DEIJ practices integrated and woven into Transdisciplinary Research and Training. Deanna considers herself a novice audiophile (stop by and check out the Marantz receiver with analog meters and the pair of Acoustic Research AR7 speakers the next time you’re visiting the ENR2 building). In her spare time, Deanna enjoys mountain bike riding in the Tucson Mts., soap making, exploring/learning, and making plans for adventures with her partner.