About D'Yanna Craighead
Background
I’m an award-winning technology leader, transformation strategist, author, and speaker with over 25 years of experience leading enterprise-scale technology delivery, modernization, and innovation across global organizations.
For more than 15 years at Disney Experiences, I’ve led high-impact technology initiatives that power some of the company’s most iconic guest experiences—from theme parks to cruise ships to next-generation transformation programs.
My leadership has contributed to major innovations including:
- Disney Cruise Line expansion, including the Disney Wish, Treasure, Destiny, Adventure, and Lighthouse Point
- MaxPass at Disneyland and Digital FastPass at Tokyo Disney Resort
- MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World, including MagicBand technology
Today, I lead the transformation, delivery, and sustainment of 20+ critical shipboard applications across a rapidly expanding fleet—driving modernization, operational scale, and guest experience innovation at sea.
But my work extends beyond technology delivery.
As a Black woman in tech, I understand what it means to navigate environments where representation is limited while still leading with excellence, influence, and authenticity. I founded Disney’s first enterprise-wide Black Technologists Affinity Group to create space for connection, advocacy, and leadership development across the organization.
In 2022, I expanded my mission beyond corporate leadership and launched D’Yanna Craighead Solutions, LLC — a platform dedicated to helping individuals and leaders evolve through transformation, strategy, and purpose-driven growth.
My debut book, The Butterfly Code, became a #1 Amazon best seller and introduced my proprietary Butterfly Code Framework™ — a transformational system designed to help people move from potential to purpose and power.
I speak, coach, and teach at the intersection of:
- Technology Transformation Leadership & Delivery at Scale
- Personal & Professional Evolution
- Identity, Resilience & Reinvention
Whether I’m leading large-scale technology programs, mentoring future leaders, or speaking on stages, my mission remains the same:
To help people and organizations transform complexity into clarity and evolve into their next level.
Other Accomplishments
- Led modernization initiatives including embarkation and dining technology transformation
- Recipient of the Walt Disney Legacy Award
- #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author of The Butterfly Code
- 4x Grace Hopper Celebration Speaker
- Speaker at AfroTech
- Master of Ceremonies — University of Maryland Global Campus Homecoming
Best-Selling Author
In The Butterfly Code, D'Yanna Craighead shares her remarkable journey of personal transformation, drawing powerful parallels between the metamorphosis of a butterfly and the stages of human growth. Through her own captivating story, D’Yanna reveals a profound framework for navigating life's challenges and emerging as the best version of oneself.
From her humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to her trailblazing career as a Black woman in technology, D’Yanna’s narrative is one of resilience, determination, and the courage to dream big. She candidly explores the obstacles she faced, including divorce, navigating the lack of diversity in technology, and the challenges of being a single mother, and how she overcame them by embracing change and trusting the process.
The Butterfly Code is not just a memoir; it's a roadmap for personal evolution. D’Yanna’s wisdom guides readers through the stages of preparation, evolution, transformation, emergence, and ultimately, soaring to new heights. This transformative book is a testament to the power of self-discovery, healing, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply seeking inspiration, The Butterfly Code is a must-read. Get ready to spread your wings and embark on your own journey of growth and transformation.
Coaching Products and Services
Whether you're looking for a speaker for your next event or a transformation coaching session, D'Yanna has the expertise to help you succeed. With a variety of services tailored to your needs, DYanna is committed to helping you achieve your transformation goals.
D'Yanna's mission is to empower those seeking personal and professional career growth to reach goals through personal evolution and transformation.
Using her own personal brand in 2022, she created a platform to inspire and encourage mentees to embrace and achieve their goals in life despite circumstances. The experience is all about growth, personal evolution and transformation.
Inspired by the journey of a caterpillar to a butterfly, D'Yanna applies personalized transformation coaching to help people embrace change, evolve and emerge with the tools and skills to ascend to new heights.
Key Accomplishments
- 2025: Opening Technology Team for Disney Adventure Cruise Ship
- 2025: Launched The Butterfly Code and FlutterBytz Coaching Experiences
- 2025: Opening Technology Team for Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
- 2024: Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of The Butterfly Code
- 2024: Opening Technology Team for Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
- 2024: Panel Speaker at AfroTech Conference
- 2024: Master of Ceremonies - University of Maryland Global Campus Homecoming
- 2023, 2020, 2019: Grace Hopper Celebration Speaker
- 2022: Opening Technology Team for the Disney Wish Cruise Ship
- 2021: Featured Disney Speaker at Grace Hopper Celebration and AfroTech
- 2020: Founded and launched Black Technologist Employee Resource Group.
- 2019: Recipient of Technology Excellence Award for delivery of Tokyo Disney Digital FastPass
- 2019: Recipient of CTO Award for Virtual Queue Technology in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and Disney World
- 2017: Recipient of Walt Disney Legacy Award
- 2017: Opening Technology Team for the MaxPass Technology in Disneyland California
- 2016 - Present: Created and Facilitates Technology Career Workshop for high school students at Disney Dreamers Academy
- 2013: Opening Technology Team for the MyMagic+ in Walt Disney World
Proven Leadership At Scale
Sustained Impact at Scale
I lead mission‑critical guest systems across a growing global fleet (ships and islands) while modernizing platforms for long‑term scalability. I have end-to-end ownership —from embarkation to debarkation, with everything in between including property management systems, security, dining, POS, and more
Proven Opening Team Leader
I'm repeatedly trusted with first‑of‑its‑kind launches (Disney's MyMagic+, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland MaxPass, launching four Disney cruise ships and one private island) signaling strong execution under pressure and confidence from senior leadership.
Cross Industry Continuity
I have shaped guest-facing Disney technology across parks and cruise lines over the past 15 years. With 10 years at Disney Parks, I understand the entire guest experience flow between parks, cruises and other Disney Signature Experiences.
Strategic + People Leadership
By managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets while building high‑performing, diverse teams of managers and technologists, I create balanced leadership beyond pure delivery. I build leaders not just drive individual contributors
Industry Thought Leadership
Speaking at various technology conferences and events such as the Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing , AfroTech, and the University of Maryland Global Campus, displays my influence within the industry.
Various Coaching Options
Through my Butterfly Code Framework, I offer various coaching tools including a best-selling book and coaching experiences created and facilitated by me in personal and professional development.
Inspiring Moments with D'Yanna
