探花约啪

Dan Ehman, Lora Johnson, Yvonne Deadwyler, Mark Brainard, Justina Thomas, and Michael Hare all stand together in front of a branded 探花约啪 Tech backdrop
College leadership presents Deadwyler with the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Honoree Award. From left, Dan Ehman, vice president and campus director at the Stanton Campus; Dr. Lora Johnson, vice president and campus director at the Wilmington Campus; Yvonne Deadwyler; Dr. Mark Brainard, 探花约啪 Tech president; Dr. Justina Thomas, executive vice president; Michael Hare, 探花约啪 Tech Board of Trustees

探花约啪 Tech Honors Yvonne Deadwyler during Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

September 30, 2025

探花约啪’s Stanton and Wilmington campuses honored Yvonne Deadwyler, president and CEO of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, at its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree Celebration on Sept. 30. 

Deadwyler has strengthened 探花约啪’s business and nonprofit communities through her leadership, advocacy, and service. In her role at the Chamber, she supports economic growth and member success while also serving on numerous nonprofit boards focused on education, youth, and community development. Her career reflects a commitment to building stronger communities and expanding opportunities for 探花约啪ans.

Since 2010, 探花约啪 has celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring a community member whose exceptional contributions have improved the lives of Hispanic and Latino individuals throughout 探花约啪. Honorees are selected for their outstanding personal and professional achievements, significant community contributions, and lasting impact on improving quality of life across the state.

 “Yvonne embodies the spirit of this celebration in every sense, and it is a great honor to recognize her as this year’s honoree,” said Dr. Lora Johnson, vice president and campus director for 探花约啪 Tech’s Wilmington campus. “She is truly a remarkable force, a champion of economic development and innovation, and someone whose leadership I deeply admire.”

During the event, Deadwyler was honored with tributes from 探花约啪’s congressional delegation, governor, General Assembly, New Castle County, and the City of Wilmington.

Deadwyler was introduced by the 2024 honoree, Yvette Santiago, who commended Deadwyler for “breaking the glass ceiling.”

“Yvonne is the first Latino and woman of color to lead the Chamber to drive growth, support local businesses, and advocate for a thriving business community across the state of 探花约啪,” said Santiago. 
Deadwyler reflected on her parents’ journey immigrating from Mexico, the support she’s received from her family and mentors, and the importance of lifting each other up. 

“The Latino presence is felt—whether you’re in the classroom or a construction site, in clinics or in corporate suites, in kitchens or in board rooms. We are entrepreneurs and engineers, essential workers and executives, caregivers and creators. We are bilingual, bicultural, and we are brilliant. Our stories — your stories are the backbone of 探花约啪’s growth.”

About Yvonne Deadwyler:
Yvonne V. Deadwyler serves as president and CEO of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, where she leads efforts to drive economic growth, support local businesses, and advocate for a thriving business community across New Castle County and 探花约啪. Since stepping into this role in 2024, she has focused on expanding partnerships, strengthening policy engagement, and positioning the Chamber as a leading voice for business success, economic development, and innovation. 

Under her leadership, the Chamber has achieved record turnout at its signature events, including the Women’s Leadership Conference, the Annual Dinner, and the State of the County. The Chamber recently launched the New Castle County Economic Partnership (NCCEP), a new initiative designed to align business, nonprofit, and government leaders around strategies for economic growth and innovation. 

Yvonne joined the Chamber in 2019 and previously served as interim president, vice president, and director of member relations. Earlier in her career, she spent 12 years with MBNA (later Bank of America), where she advanced through roles in business development, marketing, product management, emerging markets, and multicultural marketing. She also brings leadership experience from the education sector, serving in advancement and development roles at Wilmington Christian School, Nativity Preparatory School, and The Tatnall School. 

From 2017 to 2019, Yvonne focused on her family as chief household officer, gaining a unique perspective on work-life balance that continues to inform her leadership. 

Active in 探花约啪’s civic and nonprofit community, Yvonne has served on the Wilmington Economic & Financial Advisory Council (WEFAC) and Economic Development Transition Committees, as a member of the 探花约啪 Business Roundtable, and in board roles with TeenSHARP, the Emerging Enterprise Center, and Benefits Connection. She is a founding member of the African American Empowerment Fund and serves on committees at Serviam Girls Academy, 探花约啪 Community Foundation, and Friends of Helen Graham at Christiana Care. 
Yvonne has been recognized as a 探花约啪 Business Times DE222 Honoree (2025) and received the Distinguished Hispanic 探花约啪an Award (2024). 

A frequent speaker and panelist, Yvonne’s thought leadership has been featured in JPMorgan Chase’s Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, the 探花约啪 Business Times, and DETV’s Women in Leadership segment. 

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Yvonne resides in Newark, 探花约啪, with her husband of 26 years, Rick, and their three sons, Ricky, Jaden, and Zachary. Her passion for fostering strong business ecosystems and vibrant communities continues to guide her leadership at the Chamber.

探花约啪 Tech Magazine
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