Ayanna Elizabeth Marie Dunn

Ayanna Elizabeth Marie Dunn peacefully left this world after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday March 8, 2024. A native Washingtonian, Ayanna was born on December 11th, 1974. She was the beloved daughter of Reginald L. Dunn and Marie Altonette Kirk Dunn, both of whom preceded her in death, and was the stepdaughter of Lucenia Dunn.

Although an only child, Ayanna was regarded and embraced as a daughter, as a sister, and as a close “relative” to many. A loving extended family always surrounded Ayanna and she had an extensive network of close friends.

As a young girl, Ayanna would spend time with her family across several cities. Washington, D.C., Detroit, Michigan, Willingboro, New Jersey, and Kingston, Jamaica were all places that she called home. As an adult, Ayanna was a citizen of the world and formed meaningful relationships with people all over the globe.

Ayanna was an extraordinary person and from an early age she excelled at academics, particularly foreign languages. She attended the Washington International School becoming fluent in Spanish and was exposed to Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, and French. Later she attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School where she was an honors student and participated in the international student exchange program which allowed her the opportunity to travel to Japan and Brazil, further enhancing of her love of travel.

As a senior in high school, Ayanna was awarded the Carl Rowan Scholarship to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Ayanna thrived at Spelman. Her intellectual curiosity was nurtured, and the college instilled in her lessons that served her well throughout her life. She gained knowledge, and the confidence to embody the school motto “making a choice to change the world.”

Ayanna was very active in the Spelman community, serving as a Student Government Association

Vice President, various roles in the Morehouse Business Association, and was a Presidential Advisor. Ayanna was on the Dean’s list as she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1997. In addition to her academic pursuits, Spelman was a time of great personal growth where she made many friendships that formed her tribe, whose sisterhood supported her throughout her life.

Ayanna had an extremely successful professional career which included positions at Bain & Company, J.P. Morgan Chase, The Corporate Executive Board, Bernstein Global Wealth Management and most recently at Morgan Stanley, where she served as a First Vice President and Investment Consultant at the Capitol Wealth Management Group. During her career advancements she had the opportunity to travel widely and worked in Atlanta, New York City, London, and Washington, D.C. Ayanna was heralded for her business acumen and hard work in fact, prior to her passing, she was awarded the prestigious Morgan Stanley ‘Change Makers’ Award – which recognizes outstanding leaders who are drivers and champions of women’s achievements in their field.

Anyone that knew Ayanna, knew that she was very organized, stylish, and meticulous. She used those traits beyond her professional world, especially at family celebrations like her father’s famous Thanksgiving get togethers where she organized all the young cousins to tidy up, instilling the importance of contributing no matter your size.

Ayanna’s father Reggie nurtured a love for music and the visual arts, as well as passion for education and social justice. She was committed to her community and volunteered with many nonprofit organizations. Ayanna was also a financial supporter of serval galleries, charitable organizations, and especially her alma mater Spelman College.

Ayanna’s faith was a cornerstone of her life from childhood and throughout adulthood. She attended St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Foundry United Methodist Church, and most recently St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square. After several years of battling cancer with perseverance, grace, and faithfulness, at the time of her passing Ayanna was at peace.

Ayanna is survived by her uncles, aunts, stepmother, God-sister, cousins, nieces, nephew, Godchildren, and a host of close friends and professional colleagues.

We will remember Ayanna’s passion for life, her spirit of giving, and her determination as the gold standard to emulate as we continue our own journey.