Deborah has been a results-oriented leader of multiple community, arts and environment organizations, with more than 25 years of experience, mobilizing board, partners, donors and staff with a clearly defined vision of excellence and the entrepreneurial spirit to uncover the resources to achieve this vision. She has a successful track record in business planning, excellent analytical, financial, development, and organizational skills, a consensus-building managerial style, while also ensuring accountability, and the ability to deal respectfully and wisely with a broad spectrum of backgrounds and personalities. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer at Great Plains Institute and Executive Director of Great River Greening, she:
- Worked with the CEO to chart Great Plains Institute’s evolution and next phases of growth and impact for a national organization with employees throughout the country. At the time, Great Plains Institute doubled in size from $5 million to $10 million. She optimized internal operations, including annual planning and budgeting cycle, development, finance, revenue generation from all sources, communications, HR, information technology, and program evaluation.<
- Directed the geographic and operational growth of Great River Greening from a Saint Paul project to a state restoration leader with a targeted niche and unique partnering reputation; 150% growth. Building on values of community, collaboration, and pragmatism, expanded our footprint, grew our reputation as a conservation partner, nurtured a staff that is respected and innovative, spearheaded a comprehensive development program, and helped to build a board with business skills and wide network for development.
PhD University of Minnesota; MLA Harvard Graduate School of Design