Mentor Profile

Bio

Debbie’s background includes extensive experience in the accounting/finance area where she held several leadership positions. She earned an accounting degree from the University of Michigan, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Walsh College, and was a certified public accountant in the state of Michigan. Her career began in public accounting with Ernst & Young, where she worked in both the accounting and tax departments. Debbie spent most of her career in management /leadership positions with a global manufacturing company servicing primarily the aerospace and automotive sectors.

Debbie’s early career included the direct supervision of accounting departments including accounts payable, payroll, cash management, property accounting and taxes. She streamlined processes, authored all corporate accounting policies, uncovered a misappropriation of funds in excess of $300,000, negotiated property tax reductions, and initiated and negotiated a tax agreement between the US/Canada resulting in tax savings in excess of $1 million. Her broad range of responsibilities in management positions included: corporate financial planning; global consolidation and reporting; coordination of all financial audits; preparation of annual audit report; oversight for preparation of all domestic and Canadian tax returns; liaison with lenders; and project manager for the implementation of new financial reporting systems. Debbie was also a key member of the corporate acquisitions and divestitures team. She prepared and taught a course entitled “Finance for non-finance Executives” to all US location executives. Working for a global company, she not only gained insight into the accounting practices and life experiences of other countries, but she had the benefit of traveling and cultivating valuable friendships.

Debbie loves working with people and is looking forward to passing on her work and life experiences to others who can both benefit from her successes and learn from her failures. Debbie enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is also active in her church.

Prior Experience