On her path to becoming president and CEO of B.C.-based investment firm Odlum Brown, Debra has been a pioneer in a traditionally male-dominated industry. In 2007, she became the first female leader in the firm’s then 84-year history, after serving as chief operating officer for seven years.

In 2019, Debra was recognized by BC Business magazine as one of the province’s most influential women in the trailblazers category for her work to promote gender equity in finance. Her mentorship has been invaluable not only to colleagues at Odlum Brown, but to individuals throughout B.C., through endeavours such as Minerva’s CEO for a Day program and her work with the UBC Sauder School of Business faculty advisory board. Debra’s passionate leadership and sterling reputation have been instrumental in changing the face of the finance industry, and broader business community in B.C.

Nationally, Debra is a former industry director and chair of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, and in 2017 was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs. In 2020, Debra’s steadfast leadership saw Odlum Brown through the COVID-19 crisis and the associated drop in markets, resulting in the firm making no layoffs and finishing the fiscal year with record assets under management. She also continued to be an inspirational leader in the business community, participating in industry roundtable discussions and being interviewed on a national scale about leading an investment firm through the pandemic.

Beyond her unprecedented accomplishments in her industry, Debra is known as a philanthropic community leader. In recognition of her significant community contributions, in 2012 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada. For Canada’s sesquicentennial, she was featured among other exceptional Canadians in the book Canada 150 Women.

In addition to being the driving force behind the growth of Odlum Brown’s corporate philanthropy program, which has grown to over $1.4 million annually in sponsorships and corporate donations, and continued to support community partners throughout the pandemic under her leadership, she gives generously of her own time and resources to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Currently, she is a board member of Providence Health Care, Drug Free Kids Canada and Alumni UBC.

In particular, Debra’s tireless support of United Way of the Lower Mainland demonstrates her philanthropic spirit and the impact she has made on the lives of British Columbians. From 2009 to 2012, Debra was a member of the board of directors and was the 2011-12 campaign cabinet co-chair. She has also been a leadership speaker since 2004, visiting workplaces to inspire donors to give to the United Way. With Debra as champion, Odlum Brown increases its fundraising efforts each year, in 2020 raising an astounding $333,955 for the United Way – an especially impressive amount given that the campaign was entirely virtual.

Debra’s journey from a self-described “receiver” of United Way support to a “contributor” is remarkable. She has spoken publicly about her family benefiting from United Way programs when she was a child in the 1960s, and she never forgot the difference the organization made to her family. Coming full circle, in 2016 Debra received the Joseph and Rosalie Segal United Way Community Vision Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community through her leadership and support of United Way.