Dionn Schaffner

About Dionn Schaffner

Building responsible, high-performing systems where technology, people, and impact scale together.I’m a technology executive and enterprise strategist working at the intersection of AI, organizational design, and social impact. Over three decades, I’ve led complex transformations across engineering, marketing, consulting, and executive strategy—helping organizations translate innovation into durable business outcomes.As Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Chief Diversity Officer at Bonterra, I lead cross-functional efforts spanning AI governance and enterprise transformation, ethical technology, culture, and sustainability. My role focuses on embedding accountability, decision quality, and long-term value into how organizations build products, deploy AI, lead teams, and serve communities.I actively guide Bonterra’s AI strategy—serving on both executive governance and AI working committees—where I help shape policy, review and prioritize use cases, and prototype generative and agentic AI solutions. My work centers on responsible deployment: reducing risk, mitigating bias, improving decision-making, and aligning AI systems with human and business outcomes.As a leader, I focus on shifting systems, not just sentiment. I bring a rare blend of technical fluency (grounded in a software engineering background), systems-level design thinking, and operational rigor—able to move from strategy to execution, from governance to implementation, from metrics to meaning.Whether advising on responsible AI, mentoring emerging leaders, or driving social impact and sustainability outcomes that support enterprise goals, I lead with clarity, urgency, and collaboration.Known for: • Translating complex systems into executable strategy • Bridging AI governance and hands-on implementation • Aligning innovation, risk management, and trust • Connecting purpose to performance at scaleCommunity Commitments: • CASA of Travis County – Guardian ad Litem / Council Chair • Foster Village – Board Member • Geri’s Locker – Founder & President • Young Men’s Service League – Austin Viper Chapter – President Emeritus, VP of Comms • Riverplace Student Theater – Director & ChoreographerInterests:Responsible & agentic AI, enterprise transformation, ethical technology, sustainability, inclusive leadership, endurance sports (Ironman, marathon, trail running), and building systems where more people thrive.I write regularly on LinkedIn and Medium about leadership, AI, and impact: medium.com/@dionn.schaffner

Experience

1. President Founder

   Geri\'s Locker

   Jul 2017 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   We are a non-profit organization committed to strengthen and support marginalized communities by giving our time and talents on service projects emphasizing education and health while inspiring others to give and do the same.Our service projects focus on removing barriers, providing resources and creating equitable opportunities for these communities to be successful in their pursuit of education and employment.

Education

• Stanford University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Computer Science

  1988 — 1992

• Stanford University Graduate School of Business

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business/Technology/Marketing Operations

  1994 — 1996

• Stanford University

  Writing Certificate, Novel Writing

  2020 — 2022