HR Spotlight Interview
“The most important skill in my growth has been the ability to say yes to an opportunity and turn it into influence.” This mindset has propelled Keyana Jones through a 15-year career spanning almost every facet of Human Resources. From her start as a talent acquisition coordinator to her current role as Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Optiv, Keyana has built a “well-rounded view” of how organizations operate. HR Spotlight sat down with her to discuss why L&D leaders must be human-centered in the age of AI, the influence of Simon Sinek on her leadership style, and why navigating complex systems makes Black women uniquely qualified for strategic roles.
HR Spotlight: Thank you for joining us, Keyana. Please share with our readers your experience in HR, what you currently do for work, and any passion projects you’re involved in.
Keyana Jones:
I’ve spent the past 15 years in HR, working across multiple capacities that have given me a well-rounded view of how organizations and people operate. I began my career as a talent acquisition coordinator, and over time, moved into roles such as HR administrator, onboarding specialist, HR business partner, and training specialist. Each role allowed me to see the business from a different angle and helped me sharpen my skills while clarifying what I truly enjoyed and wanted to focus on within HR.
Currently, I serve as a senior manager of learning and development at Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, where I have an amazing opportunity to work at the intersection of strategy, engagement, growth and development, and organizational change. I partner closely with colleagues and business leaders to design solutions that foster personal growth, improve performance, build leadership capability, and help the organization navigate change in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Outside of my corporate role, my passion projects center on service, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. I am an active member of the historically Black sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., where I focus on building strong foundations for Black women to be successful through governance, leadership development, mentorship, and building sustainable systems that support long-term impact. I also have a deep love for public speaking and teaching.
Whether facilitating workshops, mentoring emerging leaders, or diving into a good book, I find true joy in building new things and sowing seeds into others like so many did for me. One book that strongly influences how I approach my work is, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,” by Simon Sinek. It shapes how I think about purpose, intentionality, and impact. Overall, I genuinely love connecting with people and talking about work, growth, life, and occasionally my favorite show, “The Golden Girls.”
HR Spotlight: What HR problem are you most excited to be working on right now?
Keyana Jones:
An organizational opportunity I’m excited about is how we continue to equip employees with the skills they need to be successful in a constantly changing environment while still investing in them as people. With rapid adoption of new tools, including AI, the question isn’t just what we adopt but how we help people build confidence, capability, and relevance alongside those changes. For me, this work is about being intentional, thinking carefully about impact, and designing opportunities that are human-centered, inclusive, and sustainable.
HR Spotlight: What skill has been most important to your growth in HR so far?
Keyana Jones:
The most important skill in my growth has been the ability to say yes to an opportunity and turn it into influence. My grandfather always taught me to never say no to an opportunity simply because it fell outside the scope of my role. My very first chance to move within HR was when I accepted the responsibility of facilitating the new employee orientation program. That opened more doors for me to work cross-functionally, build my personal brand and visibility, and partner with leaders across the organization, including executives. Through that experience, I learned how influence can be created from any level through preparation, consistency, and the ability to add value.
HR Spotlight: What advice would you give to young Black women in HR or entering the HR profession?
Keyana Jones:
My advice to someone entering the field: Stay curious and raise your hand even for opportunities that may not seem desirable or perfectly aligned. Those experiences often teach you what truly brings you joy while also building depth of knowledge that becomes valuable in the future. Build intentional community, and surround yourself with people who won’t just mentor you, but who will actively help you move toward your goals and advocate for you. Use every role and opportunity to build trust and credibility. You are in the driver’s seat of your career. Own your path, your voice, and your value!
HR Spotlight: What do you want people to understand about Black women in HR that often gets missed?
Keyana Jones:
What often gets missed is the level of complexity Black women have had to navigate and how that experience translates into value for organizations. We bring more than representation to an organization. We bring perspective shaped by navigating systems, people, and power simultaneously. We actively juggle multiple priorities with care and discernment and, as a result, we bring strong judgement, complex thinking, and the ability to identify risks and opportunity.
We create waves for change through our voices and passion rooted in purpose. When Black women are trusted and empowered, we foster environments that promote long-term outcomes, sustainable decisions, and a deep care for others.
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