Deona “Dee” Hatley, a human capital management systems trainer at Georgetown University, described on Apr. 16 her efforts to encourage fitness and well-being among university staff through various initiatives, including the GU Moves walking challenge.
Hatley’s focus on wellness is part of a broader effort to support employee health and foster community at Georgetown. Her work aims to help individuals become the best versions of themselves both at work and beyond.
Hatley joined Georgetown three years ago as assistant director of Fitness & Wellness for Campus Recreation. During her time in that role, she launched free group fitness classes and created new training spaces for faculty and staff. Recognizing an opportunity to further support employee well-being, she transitioned into Human Resources to improve how employees learn and use the Georgetown Management System.
In addition to her day job, Hatley is involved with several campus groups such as the Women’s Alliance and Black Diaspora Employee Resource Groups. As part of her executive MBA program at the School of Business, she initiated GU Moves—a walking challenge involving staff from both Washington, DC, and Doha campuses. The program included live and virtual mobility sessions designed to encourage movement during the workday. The initiative concluded on March 31 with participants from both campuses walking together over Zoom across different time zones.
Reflecting on her approach, Hatley said: “What wakes me up, honestly, is purpose… I know I’m supposed to help people reach the best version of themselves.” She added that improving organizational systems can have a significant impact: “When you give people the tools to learn, they can do their jobs well.”
Hatley’s philosophy toward wellness extends beyond individual fitness routines; it emphasizes creating accessible opportunities for all employees while building a sense of belonging within the university community.
