Deborah is now Mayor Langford’s chief of staff, but this is material published in the 2007 Top 40 under 40 list:
Date of birth: Feb. 27, 1970
Education: Institute for Organization Management, a professional development program of the United States Chamber of Commerce, Summer 2007, University of Georgia; bachelor of arts, mass communications, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1992; and Charles Dana Fellow (public policy), Duke University, 1991-92
Reason for choosing profession: Media: I loved posing questions to find answers - what some people might call pure nosiness. Chamber: I love posing questions to find answers that might help build a better community - what some people call a chamber executive.
Turning point/defining moment in your career: Losing my sister in 1994 to a triple homicide made me re-evaluate the important things in my life and seek out a career where I could make a positive change in the life of other people. First step: quitting television news.
Tools/factors that helped you achieve early success: Allowing people to shape my ambition, people like Dave Adkisson who saw something in me; Odessa Woolfolk, who, even though I don’t see her that much, offers encouraging words and nuggets of wisdom at every chance encounter; my sister, who helped me up every time I fell down; my daughter, who reminds me why I must get up; and of course, my biggest fan, my mother, who instilled in me early on that my choices would be the biggest determinant of my success.
Ultimate career goal: To be the CEO of my own consulting business.
Guiding business principle: “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.” - Henry Ford
Yardstick of success: Did I learn something and is it better after my involvement?
Characteristics that a good leader must have: Integrity, good listening skills, intuition, courage, love for other people and faith in something bigger than you.
Mentors: My mother, Barbara; my sister, Sharon; Dave Adkisson; my friends (too numerous to name).
First choice for a new career: Real estate
Civic organization involvement: Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Foundation; Leading Edge Institute; Sickle Cell Foundation; Kiwanis Club of Birmingham; Miss SWAC Pageant; MLK Unity Breakfast; and McWane Pipe Community Advisory Panel.
from http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2006/07/17/focus41.html
Post a Comment