As the CEO for The Center for What Works, Debra brings extensive professional experience in organizational development, project management, sales and client services. She functions as a social entrepreneur engaged in creative problem-solving for the organization. In her executive role since early 2004, Debra has successfully built the organizational infrastructure, developed sector-wide research and created strategy and professional relationships to ensure successful outcomes. Within the capacity-building program of WhatWorks, Debra designed a performance measurement toolkit and she leads training workshops several times a month to assist nonprofit organizations, foundations, and consultants to the sector in identifying and implementing appropriate measurement processes. In addition to her executive role with The Center for What Works, Debra volunteers as the founding president and co-chair of the Chicago professional chapter of Net Impact, an active and inclusive global nonprofit network that uses the power of business for positive social change. She also actively participates on the national membership committee. Debra has received several awards and recognition for her achievements, leadership and commitment. Prior to her current professional role, Debra worked in the international service sector for a training and consulting firm, where she designed and streamlined business processes for several Fortune 100 corporate clients. She then helped launch a technology company where she successfully implemented the first client in over 20 countries. Debra has over 10 years of experience in identifying client needs and exceeding expectations. Debra holds a Masters degree in Organizational Management with an emphasis on the social sector from the School for International Training in Vermont. Her Masters thesis explored social entrepreneurship and the effective use of performance measurement strategies to improve organizational performance. She received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas, graduating with honors in English. Debra has studied, lived and worked in England, Japan, India, Israel, and Argentina. She integrates and uses her evolving knowledge of the world to learn, leverage and contribute on a daily basis.