Deesha Dyer

PRESIDENT, HOOK & FASTEN IMPACT CONSULTING

Deesha Dyer is a philanthropist, award-winning strategist and author, on-the-ground community organizer, and executive operations expert. Working her way up from a 31-year old community college student who served as a White House intern for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Deesha ended her government career as the White House social secretary, a highly-coveted senior position. She is currently the founder and president of social impact agency, Hook & Fasten where she coordinates transformational partnerships by utilizing a company’s funds, skills, resources or product to ignite sustainable change in communities.

She is curator of multiple scholarships for Black women in politics, travel, wellness and animal care and sits on board of the Humane Society of the United States. Serving as a Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Resident Fellow in 2019, Deesha designed and led a study course called, Imposter to Impact. A renowned speaker known for her engaging and authentic delivery, she is an expert on topics ranging from diplomacy, events, women leadership, confidence, race & ethnicity and social change.

Deesha was included in Marie Claire’s new guard of women changing the world, the Root’s most influential African-Americans and profiled in Women Who Run the White House by Essence. She’s been featured in Vogue, Travelnoire, and the Washington Post and has also delivered commentary on CNN, MSNBC and NPR. Deesha has written for Oprah Daily, Glamour and Lonely Planet and was awarded the Women of Excellence Award by the District of Columbia. In April 2024, Deesha released her highly anticipated debut, Undiplomatic about her untraditional journey in politics and advocacy. Undiplomatic has been praised by Oprah’s Book Club, Taraji P. Henson and Michelle Obama as being a must-read and is used as a resource for confidence and worth at institutions across the country. For her impact through Undiplomatic, Dyer was recently awarded the prestigious Larry Neal Writer’s Award.

Top 100 women-led businesses: Massachusetts

2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts

Overview

The Women’s Edge and the Boston Globe Magazine are pleased to announce the 2025 edition of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list. 2025 marks our 25th year recognizing the women power players driving the Massachusetts economy.

2025 LIST

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

NOMINATION ELIGIBILITY

The Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list is ranked through an algorithm that factors in revenue, as well as workplace diversity, innovation and customer benefits.

• Both non-profit and for-profit organizations are eligible for the list

• Organizations must be women-led for at least two-thirds of the 2024 calendar year

• The leader being nominated must be the highest ranking executive in the Massachusetts marketplace

• Organizations must complete the survey to be considered for the Top 100 list.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Deesha Dyer

President, Hook & Fasten Impact Consulting
Former White House Social Secretary

Deesha Dyer is a philanthropist, on-the-ground community organizer, executive operations expert and award winning strategist, speaker and author. Working her way up from a 31-year old community college student who served as a White House intern for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, Deesha was hired in 2010, received several promotions and ended her government career in 2017 as the White House social secretary, a highly-coveted senior position.

She is the founder and current president of social impact agency, Hook & Fasten where she coordinates transformational partnerships between communities and corporations. Released in April 2024, her debut book, Undiplomatic, is about her rise in the Obama White House while tackling imposter syndrome. Read Full Bio →