Consultant Bios

Expertise

• Strategic planning
• Board development
• Service operations management
• Organization and process design
• Search and Human Resources consulting

Education

• Executive Master’s of Business Administration, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
• Bachelor of Science, Organizational Administration, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
• Previously General Securities Licensed, Series 7 and 66, and Life & Health

Current Focus and Results

Debbie offers her clients expertise in strategic planning coupled with a broad base of knowledge and experience in managing complex organizations including recently merged service operations, geographically dispersed organizations and large scale project teams. As an accomplished executive and leader, Debbie serves as an outstanding mentor to high performers seeking continued professional development.

Experience

Debbie rose from the ranks to assume senior management responsibilities over a 25-year career in the financial services sector.  Debbie served as Vice President for both General American Life and MetLife where she was responsible for leading organizations involved in sales and marketing, product development, risk management and operations. Debbie has proven expertise in developing and managing strong teams, designing innovative customer service programs and delivering complex projects on time and within budget.  Prior to joining the firm, Debbie honed her entrepreneurial skills by initiating, growing and leveraging a financial planning practice at Smith Barney.

Community Commitment

Debbie serves on the Advisory Board for OPAA! Food Management, Inc. and is serving the Board of Directors for Missouri Women in the Trades (MOWIT).  Debbie currently serves on the cabinet for the Women’s Leadership Giving Initiative of the United Way and on the Planned Giving Council for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.  Debbie also serves as a Lead Volunteer with Social Venture Partners (SVP). SVP is a program of the Regional Business Council and provides volunteer and professional services to nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged youth organizations.  Debbie serves as a member of the Steering committee and as the Chair of the Member Development and Meeting committee for ExecNet-St. Louis, a 400+ member group which helps executives (Director Level and above) transition to new opportunities.  Finally, Debbie serves on the membership committee for the St. Louis Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth.   

Achievements

• Created and facilitating a Human Resources Leadership Forum for senior HR professionals.
• Consolidated multiple organizations into an integrated, geographically centralized operation reducing the number of associates from 850 to 450 generating expenses savings of $6 million annually.  Simultaneously led restructuring and retraining efforts, enhancing service to a level higher than pre-consolidated standards.
• Founded and grew a financial planning practice to $10M, by obtaining 75 clients within the first 4 months. 
• Facilitated the development of the strategic plan for the St. Louis County Economic Council, helping to ensure the continued development of the St. Louis Region and to achieve accreditation.

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