Where Head Meets Heart

I help leaders build smart, sustainable organizations without losing their humanity.

Leadership development for the genuinely curious

After 16+ years building companies from zero to 35,000+ students served throughout industry volatility, I've learned that leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about being curious enough to ask better questions.

I partner with leaders at critical inflection points - whether you're a first-time founder, a new board member, or stepping into bigger responsibilities - helping you trust your instincts while building the strategic frameworks to move forward with confidence.

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Because business is personal (no matter what they tell you), I help…

  • First-time founders navigate the transition from technical expert to CEO

  • Startup leaders build scalable systems without losing their culture

  • Board members balance fiduciary responsibility with mission-driven impact

  • New executives find their authentic leadership voice

  • Leaders in transition navigate the gap between who they were and who they're becoming

  • High performers reconnect with purpose and direction

  • Organizations align stakeholders through periods of major change

Having built multiple organizations from scratch to scale, I understand the inflection points that keep leaders up at night:

  • The product manager becoming a CEO who needs to read rooms as well as roadmaps

  • The board member navigating stakeholder dynamics and hidden agendas

  • The founder managing their own stress while being the calm in everyone else's storm

  • The executive choosing between strategies when both could work (or fail)

  • The leader feeling the isolation of big decisions with no clear playbook

  • The team that needs to transform interpersonal dynamics into competitive advantage

  • The high performer who knows something needs to shift but can't name it

“Debra conveyed a wisdom about the personal reflection, character development, and authenticity that is needed for good leadership that went deeper than the normal advice about developing soft skills or working on diverse teams.”

Holly Zardus, Cultural Attaché, US Embassy in Belgrade

Let’s Dive In…

  • Strategic Advisory & Coaching

    Every leader faces moments where the playbook doesn't exist. Having built and scaled multiple organizations myself, I provide personalized support for leaders at inflection points.

    Drawing from my experience in social-emotional learning and scaling from zero to 35,000 served, I help you navigate complexity with both strategic rigor and emotional intelligence - because the best decisions come from leaders who understand both the numbers and the humans behind them.

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  • Speaking

    Elevate your next conference or corporate event with keynotes from someone who's been in the builder's seat. From intimate board retreats to 500-person conferences, I create spaces where leaders can explore what it means to succeed without sacrificing who they are.

    I share real stories and practical frameworks for navigating burnout, building authentic presence, and turning self-awareness into strategic advantage.

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  • Workshops

    Transform how your team thinks about leadership and collaboration. Using frameworks refined over 16+ years in social-emotional learning and business building, I design experiences that are both profound and practical.

    Your team will leave with tools for better decision-making, clearer communication, and the confidence to lead through uncertainty - skills that show up in both team dynamics and business results.

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Not sure what’s right for you or your team?

Let's have a no-pressure chat about your challenges. I'm direct about whether I'm the right fit - and if I'm not, I'll point you toward someone who is.

Email me at debra@debragiunta.com.