Deronda is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, has her Masters Degree in Social Work and is licensed clinical social worker. As Director of The Salvation Army Center of Hope, Deronda used national best practices to transitioned from long term shelter to a housing focused low barrier emergency shelter. In an effort to address the issues of affordable housing, Deronda was successful in developing a partnership with the local housing authority and expanding The Salvation Army's rapid rehousing program to house families with high barriers. For more then 25 years, Deronda has been instrumental with Mecklenburg County's Continuum of Care as well as been active in several community strategic plans to end chronic, veteran and family homelessness.