Dr. Dionna Latimer-Hearn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in French Studies from Northwestern University. Following the completion of her degree she worked for the French Embassy as an English Language Instructor in France (Montargis and Amilly). Upon her return to the United States she completed her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology at The George Washington University. She has served as a consultant and a speech-language pathologist since 2002, and has held positions in Illinois, France (Stella Plage), Japan (Yokosuka), Maryland and Texas.  She currently works as a nonprofit director and continuing education provider for educational professionals.

Dr. Latimer-Hearn completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has presented her research at a dozen conferences in the U.S. and abroad and she is a recipient of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Minority Dissertation Fellowship Award, the World Education Research Association (WERA) Most Innovative Poster Award, and the CREATE Doctoral Scholarship.   Dr. Latimer-Hearn is the author of the book Unexpected Places and is the co-founder and director of the REACT Initiative, a Christian nonprofit organization that promotes equity in education for historically marginalized populations.