DEONA DAVIS Industrial Engineer, STERIS Corporation
A love of math and science in high school led Deona Davis to a career in engineering. This Lorain native, who enjoyed learning as a child, graduated from Lorain High School in the top 10 percent and as the top ranked African-American student in her class. Having lost her dad before she turned 2-years-old, Deona was raised by a young mother and partially by her grandmother. A Head Start Teacher, her grandma, instilled in the family the values of a good education and made sure that the family had what it took to make education a priority. Math, science and solving puzzles were always Deona's favorite activities and that characteristic led her high school guidance counselor, to pose the question, 'what she wanted to be when she grew up.' At the time she was in 10th grade and had no idea. The counselor, after reviewing her excellent grades and noticing that she took honors classes, suggested that Deona consider becoming an engineer. Of this, Deona said, “The only engineer I knew of at the time was a train conductor. I initially hesitated but when my counselor recommended a book that described the different types of engineering, I selected Industrial Engineering.” With tireless effort and dedication, Deona earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Cleveland State University. She has further secured Lean Manufacturing and Project Management Certifications. Today, Deona Davis serves as industrial engineer at STERIS Corporation. In this capacity, she uses her engineering skills to provide innovative healthcare and life science products and service solutions. With a mission to 'help customers create a healthier and safer world by providing innovative healthcare and life science product and service solutions around the globe,' and headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, STERIS is a leading provider of infection prevention and other procedural products and services. Deona said, “As a woman and moreover as an African American woman in engineering, it is rewarding and 14 ▒ SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020
exciting. Although women Engineers are still underrepresented in the workforce and there are few women role models in engineering, I was taught to work hard, be confident in my abilities and trust God.” She continued, “With high self-efficacy, I view difficult tasks as something to be mastered rather than something to be avoided. There are always new challenges. I welcome the times that I can bring my knowledge, experience and diverse perspective to better products/processes being created at every stage of the design process.” Davis recalls the uncertainties she experienced in college. She conceded that the engineering curriculum has been very challenging. “There was a time that I explored changing majors to business. With the help of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), INROADS Program and family, I found a great support system and continued. I'm glad I did because I love engineering.”