"Ethical Leaders and Organizations: Where Leadership and Culture Intersect"

Description: Effective organizations don’t just happen—they’re built through ethical, intentional leadership and a strong, values-driven culture. This session explores how leadership behavior directly shapes organizational climate, employee engagement, wellness, and public trust.

Join Chief (Ret.) Deanna Cantrell for a presentation on aligning leadership, culture, and strategy. Participants will gain insight into how culture, climate, and leadership impact retention and productivity, learn to apply the Direction–Alignment–Commitment model to strengthen organizational culture, and discover practical tools for building a strategic plan that reinforces purpose, values, and long-term success.

Chief of Police Deanna Cantrell (Ret.)

Deanna Cantrell is the Director of Law Enforcement Partnerships for Axon. She is responsible for developing and fostering customer and partner relationships in the Western United States. Deanna brings with her, 30 years of municipal government leadership, passion and experience. Prior to joining Axon, Deanna was the Chief of Police for the City of Fairfield, CA for over 2 years. Prior to that, Deanna served almost 5 years as the Chief of Police in San Luis Obispo (SLO) CA, and 22 years with the Mesa, AZ Police Department where she moved through the ranks from Officer to Assistant Chief. Deanna also served the Redlands, CA Police Department, as a retired annuitant, working on culture, recruiting, retention, wellness and professional standards.

Deanna is passionate about public safety, and gifted in public speaking, coaching and developing talent. She served for 4 years as the Co-Chair for Cal Chiefs, Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE) and was the first WLLE Foundation Board President. Deanna also started a state-wide mentoring program while chairing the mentoring committee. Deanna served for 6 years on the California Police Chiefs Association Board. She is currently an Executive Fellow for the National Policing Institute and is on the Board for Police2Peace and the Future Policing Institute. In 2018

Deanna was selected as the 24th District, California Congressional Woman of the year, and in 2022, Women Leaders in Law Enforcement established the Deanna Cantrell Exceptional Leadership award. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. She teaches Advancing Ethical Leadership for CA POST through Cal State University Long Beach and is a graduate and instructor for Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School.