Speakers

An accomplished & passionate Human Resources and hospitality leader, Debbie enjoyed a multi-dimensional career with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. As the Vice-President of HR – Americas, she was the people and culture leader for fifty hotels and over 10,000 employees in the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Widely recognized as an employer of choice, Four Seasons was on the FORTUNE “Best 100 Companies to Work For” in each of the years in which Debbie held her position.

Combining her HR and hospitality experience, she currently provides consulting services to small and mid-size private and family-owned businesses in which hospitable services is a key business deliverable and a company value. Debbie has a strong result driven record of solving problems by identifying innovative and pragmatic solutions in the ever increasingly complex HR arena. A sample of her work includes building a strong employee culture that is a “best place to work;” all HR aspects of opening or property transition; HR best practices & compliance; leadership coaching; and all aspects of talent management.

Debbie is a past member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association HR Committee; Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor & Employment Relations; University of Denver School of Hospitality Executive Advisory Board as well as Washington State HR Executive Roundtable. She is currently a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. In 2019, Debbie was awarded a Lifetime HR Achievement Award by Cornell University.

Originally from Minnesota, Debbie graduated from the University of Denver and began her hospitality career with Hyatt Hotels. She is based in Seattle, Washington.