Consultant Bios

Expertise

• Strategic planning
• Leadership development
• Operations management — service organization expertise
• Organization and process design
• Performance management

Education

• Executive Master's of Business Administration, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
• Bachelor of Science, Organizational Administration, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
• General Securities Series 7 and 66, and Life & Health State Insurance Exams

Current Focus and Results

Deborah 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, Deborah serves as an outstanding mentor to high performers seeking continued professional development.

Experience

Deborah rose from the ranks to assume senior management responsibilities over a 25-year career in the financial services sector. Deborah 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. Deborah has proven expertise in developing and managing strong teams, designing innovative customer service programs and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. More recently, Deborah honed her entrepreneurial skills by initiating, growing and leveraging a financial planning practice at Smith Barney.

Community Commitment

Deborah 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.

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.  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. Debbie also serves as a representative 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 and mid-size arts organizations.

Achievements

• Consolidated multiple organizations into an integrated, geographically centralized operation reducing the number of associates from 750 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.
• Led cross-functional project team involving over 100 associates in redesigning the life application and system used by over 30,000 producers. The project generated an estimated $12 million in savings and based on annual field surveys, producer satisfaction doubled.
• Developed innovative service programs including a Top Flight Service Contact center designed to enhance service to top tier producers for the firm.
• Founded and grew a financial planning practice to $10M, by obtaining 75 clients within the first 4 months.

top