A dynamic leader wielding expertise in mental health advocacy, adult education, government, contracting, and project management, Dashana Jefferies, BA, BS, MS has excelled as the chief executive officer at A Passport 2 Breathe since 2019. Through the life coaching and consulting company, the “Self-Help Queen,” a Certified Life Coach, a business coach, a speaker, and a mentor, empowers adult clients, whom she refers to as “her tribe,” through accelerated education programs, practical strategies, and workshops to help with setting goals, alleviating self-doubt, and ultimately reaching their full potential. Her guidance is marked by personal resilience, professional achievements, and passion.
In support of her business, Ms. Jefferies authored the books “365 Intentional Breaths: This ‘Is’ Just Different” and “365 Love Notes to the World’s Black Kings.” As a testament to her impact in the field, she has been recognized with a Consultant Award and a Social Justice Award and has long been a dedicated member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
In addition to her primary endeavors, Ms. Jefferies bolsters her credentials as a Certified AI Consultant, providing consultation services to businesses looking to integrate AI into its workflows. In this capacity, she utilizes a wide variety of tools, including ChatGPT, Bard, Perplexity, Wordtune, Grammarly, and Canvas. She also previously served as a contractor program manager at Compass, Inc.—a government contracting firm—from 2020 to 2024 and a communications manager at OGSystems for a year. She was active as a people and project manager at BAE Systems from 2011 to 2020.
Launching her career at a Washington, D.C.-based public relations firm, she collaborated with organizations such as the NAACP and the National Urban League, which sparked her interest in issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion. This experience ultimately led to her transition into the field of government contracting, where she has built a successful career spanning a decade. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and law enforcement administration from Ashworth College—from which she later earned a bachelor’s in psychology—and she took on the managerial role at BAE Systems.
Over time, however, she began feeling undervalued and inadequately compensated. This, coupled with underlying mental health issues brought on by past struggles—including clinical depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder—led to a major life reflection in 2018. She realized she had been battling internal challenges from a young age and needed to confront them through therapy and professional guidance. This self-care motivated her to help others through their own crises.
Ms. Jefferies attributes her success to her unwavering faith in God, her loving and supporting family, and her dedicated friends and colleagues who have provided invaluable encouragement and guidance throughout her journey.
2024 Stellar Business Award – A Passport 2 Breathe (Degrees in Dash) – Best Consulting in the United States
2024 International Impact Book Awards – Social Justice and Cultural Awareness – 365 Love Notes to the World’s Black Kings
American Psychological Association
National Society of Leadership and Success
Kappa Delta Pi
Chasing 100 – Release Date Jan 2025 (Million Dolar Storyteller/ Andy Henriquez
She Rises, She Leads, She Lives: Overcoming Obstacles and Thriving Against All Odds – Release Date Jan 28, 2025 (She Rises Studios/ Hanna Olivas)
WOODBRIDGE, VA, November 1, 2024, Dashana Jefferies has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Jefferies, an esteemed professional in the field of mental health, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of A Passport 2 Breathe, which she founded in 2019. She is deeply committed to promoting mental health awareness and support and demonstrates a profound understanding of individuals’ challenges in this area. Her expertise is widely recognized, and she has made significant contributions through leadership and advocacy.
Before her current role, Ms. Jefferies thrived as a Communications Manager at OGSystems from 2019 to 2020, playing a key role in enhancing the company’s communication strategies and fostering a collaborative environment. From 2020 to 2024, she served as a Contractor Program Manager at Compass Inc., where she skillfully managed diverse programs and ensured their successful execution.
From 2011 to 2019, Ms. Jefferies worked as a People and Project Manager at BAE Systems in Washington, DC. She oversaw numerous projects and contributed to the company’s growth. Her time there sharpened her leadership and project management skills, allowing her to supervise diverse teams successfully.
Ms. Jefferies’s academic achievements are remarkable. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration from Ashworth College in 2013. Notably, she completed her second Bachelor of Science in Psychology in just nine weeks and her Master of Science in Psychology in twelve weeks from Capella University in 2023. She is pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University.
Further enhancing her profile, Ms. Jefferies holds numerous certifications, including an AI Consultant certification from AI Innovision and a Master Storyteller certification from the Million Dollar Storyteller Mastermind. In 2023, she became a Trauma-Informed Coach through the Centre for Healing. She also holds certifications as a Life Coach from New Skills Academy and in Growth Leadership for Female Entrepreneurs from eCornell. Additionally, she has completed Mental Health First Aid certification from the National Council for Behavioral Health.
Her hard work and dedication have earned her several accolades, including Consultant of the Year in 2024 and the Social Justice Award. Ms. Jefferies is also a published author, having released “365 Love Notes To The World’s Black Kings” (2022), “365 Intentional Breaths” (2022), and “365 Intentional Breaths: This ‘Is’ Just Different” (2021). She attributes her success to her faith, the support of her family, and the encouragement of friends and colleagues.
Ms. Jefferies’s commitment to mental health advocacy is rooted in her journey of self-healing and professional support, which provided the necessary foundation for her work to raise awareness about mental health issues. Although she initially aspired to work in law enforcement, unexpected challenges led her down a different path. She eventually moved to Washington, DC, where she worked in public relations, collaborating with organizations such as the NAACP and the National Urban League. These experiences ignited her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, ultimately leading her to a successful career in government contracting.
In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Jefferies is involved in several civic-minded organizations, including Feed The Children. She is also an active member of industry-related organizations such as the National Society of Leadership and Success, Kappa Delta Pi Alpha Kappa Theta Chapter, and the American Psychological Association. Looking toward the future, Ms. Jefferies aims to complete her doctoral studies while expanding the reach of A Passport 2 Breathe internationally.
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