Consulting Experience

With three decades of experience as a senior corporate HR executive, community leader and entrepreneur, Deborah is known as a dynamic motivator who has guided high performing teams through fluctuating business cycles. A skilled communicator and corporate trainer who excels at identifying and developing executive talent, she is an inspiring coach for candidates coping with the rigors of career change. Deborah has served in leadership roles within Fortune 100 & 200 to mid-size organizations, as well as entrepreneurial start-ups and not-for-profits. She has consistently been recognized for adding enterprise value to drive desired outcomes. Deborah is accustomed to managing high level executives in diverse industries such as hospitality, travel & cruise, retail, financial and investment services, manufacturing, engineering, security, private equity, computer & technology, and entertainment, among others. She is known for motivational, strategic, rigorous, and respectful coaching and is highly gifted at identifying talent to align with client needs to produce optimal results.

A representative list of executive coaching engagements and clients include:

• CEO and CFO – International Security company
• President – Aviation companies
• General Counsel & CLO – Numerous major public companies
• CEO, President, and SVP – Private Equity portfolio companies
• President and SVP – Global Financial Services companies
• CEO and SVP – Luxury goods companies
• CEO, SVP, and VP – Travel and Leisure companies
• EVP & SVP – Global Transportation companies
• CEO, SVP and HR – Energy companies
• CEO, CFO and SVP – Global retailers
• EVP, CMO and SVP – Major cruise lines
• CEO, CHRO, CAO and SVP – Healthcare companies
• C-Suite, SVP, VP – Technology companies

Business/Organizational Leadership Experience

Prior to joining Right Management, Deborah served as an independent HR consultant for corporate clients from Seattle to Miami, providing expertise in strategic planning and goal setting, employee recruitment, training & development and team building. She has a stellar record of serving as a trusted advisor to C-Suite teams. Earlier in her career, she served as Division Vice President–HR for Eddie Bauer, a division of General Mills at the time, overseeing the design and management of HR programs for over 5,800 employees throughout North America. In that role, she spearheaded the HR strategy including change management, M&A, annual performance review process, employee training and retention. She also managed the annual executive strategic planning conference while a member of the executive committee of  8 reporting to the CEO. She began her career in the executive training program at Burdines (now Macy’s) and progressed through progressive key merchandising roles. Later she was recognized as a high-potential and selected to join HR where she transitioned through various functions including corporate training and development, college recruiting, executive recruiting and executive development. Deborah has also created and launched several successful entrepreneurial businesses in the wellness and arts fields.

Education and Training

Deborah graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications. A leader in her community as well as her profession, she served as Founding President of the Kids in Distress Auxiliary–West in Broward County, creating a model for emerging charitable fundraising groups throughout South Florida. She currently is a member of WEL, The Commonwealth Institute, and SHRM. She remains active in her community by providing advisory support to several mission-driven philanthropic causes and is keenly committed to mentoring emerging female leaders in the workforce. As a life-long learner, she has immersed herself in studying EQ behaviors and leadership techniques including the art of mindfulness in business. She is a certified coach in Mindfulness, Meditation and other forms of healing movement and infuses her knowledge into her coaching style to create more fulfilling and collaborative partnerships.