- Coach and Leadership Advisor
- Former CEO, CPO and CMO
BACKGROUND
Debbie is a coach, advisor and non-executive director who has spent over 30 years working in the media, telco and marketing services industries. She was CEO of a private equity-backed business, forged through an MBO, as well as CPO and CMO for a global media and entertainment organization. A theme throughout her career has been helping to drive growth through cultural and digital transformation.
In her executive career, Debbie worked alongside leading CEOs and C-Suite executives as their trusted advisor and truthteller. Known for being able to speak ‘truth to power’ she found coaching came naturally to her, long before she became a coach. Her ability to make a real impact in recognizing and developing leaders inspired her to embark on executive coaching as part of her move to a portfolio career.
Debbie coaches and advises a select group of CEOs and C-Suite leaders. Having followed a similar path to her clients, she understands what they are going through. She applies her broad and practical knowledge of corporate life in helping her clients become more impactful as they navigate familiar challenges and their career journeys. She also currently enjoys a number of Non-Executive Director positions at a large financial institution and two global media businesses. This gives her real insight into board-level priorities and perspectives, and in turn helps her clients become skilled in the art of influence in these forums.
APPROACH + PHILOSOPHY
One of Debbie’s clients aptly described her as ‘a co-pilot rather than an instrument panel’. She sees her role as a Coach-Advisor, instinctively knowing which hat to wear when. Debbie’s natural, relaxed style puts clients at ease. The reason she loves coaching is seeing how it helps leaders become more impactful with their teams and the culture of the organizations they lead.
EDUCATION
- B.S. Business, University of Cape Town
- Advanced Management Programme, Harvard Business School
CERTIFICATIONS
- Meyer Campbell Mastered
- Principles 5Cs Assessment
- PrinciplesUs
