CSM Game-Changer Issue with Cristiano Ronaldo 2019 BODY ISSUE - Gerardo Gabriel | Page 90

CSM: This is your feature debut to be on Cen-
ter Stage Magazine, what is the experience like
when you are included in our roster for 2019’s
Summer Body issue?
DEBBIE: Initially, I was not certain I read the
news correctly! When I began my fitness jour-
ney I never expected to be recognized for it.
Upon realization that the news was legit, I sat
back and contemplated my path, and was a little
overwhelmed. I am honored, and grateful.
CSM: What do you think makes Center Stage
Magazine stand-out or makes it unique in other
publications around the globe?
DEBBIE: CSM brings to its readers not only in-
credible photography but the back stories of real
people with real struggles and successes – some-
thing every person can relate to. The collabora-
tive photos and stories empower those of us who
read your publication to follow our own fitness
journeys, or perhaps to even begin one!
CSM: What are the duties and responsibilities
that entail to your current profession or career?
DEBBIE: I am a Chief Financial Officer for a
publicly traded Canadian Corporation which
owns United States subsidiaries. I oversee and
manage our mergers and acquisitions, as well as
the financial operations of all of the operations.
It is my passion!
CSM: This year’s bimonthly edition is about
going for game-changing results in careers and
individuality and inspiring people (being a bea-
con of inspiration); describe how you defied your
limits and exude confidence in your career and
what did you do to push those boundaries.
DEBBIE: After several years of public account-
ing, I knew I wanted to do more. I wanted to make
a difference. I entered the world of startups and
entrepreneurial endeavors. As a single female in
a male dominated industry, it was important for
me to prove my abilities to build multi-million
dollar companies. Between my time in public
accounting and now, the peak of my career, I
struggled through a ten year battle with cancer
in my then ten year old. He was diagnosed at 6
months and left us at the age of ten. This side-
lined my career, but I stood back up, re-entered
the finance industry and never let anything stand
between me or my goals. Along the way, I em-
powered other women to do the same. Having a
network of strong, intelligent women surround-
ing me only made me better, and I continue to
learn from them every single day.
CSM: Being assertive and attentive is required
for this profession. Have you ever made or en-
countered difficult decisions? How did you man-
age that?
DEBBIE: I make difficult decisions every day
as I navigate acquisitions and make changes that
ensure growth and success of our businesses.
My approach is pragmatic and usually direct – I
do not believe in ambiguity. That said, juggling
the personal feelings at times is not always easy.
Even when the decision is tough, if I am certain
it is the right one, I execute. Feelings are almost
always temporary in those situations.
CSM: How do you handle the situation if people
get intimidated by you and your work?
DEBBIE: I am an extrovert and aggressive in my
career. I do believe however that there is a time
and a place for everything. More often than not
communication is the answer! I go to them and
offer understanding. Compassion and listening
is critical, not only in business but in personal
relationships, especially when you are a strong,
decisive female. So often authority is mislabeled
as intimidation. Communicate!
CSM: What game-changing results do you look
forward this year?
DEBBIE: This year will be my best year yet, pro-
fessionally and personally. Personally, I plan to
compete again, will bring to the stage a better
overall physique than I have had in the past (I am
already there actually!) and have found the right
combination of diet and exercise to maintain.
Professionally, I fully expect to bring our start-
ups out of development stages into fully opera-
tional, predictive entities that will offer increased
shareholder value. It is time to increase their rate
of return and make it rain.
CSM: Describe the person who made an impact
in your life and how that is significant.
DEBBIE: I could not name just one person, as
both of these people together bring to the table
full mentorship that exceeds parenting. My
mother and father. They were my rocks dur-
ing the tumultuous time of cancer and death of a
child and taught me to persevere. My father was
tough on me, taught me that I could be anyone I
wanted and do anything I could imagine. He is
my mentor even today. My mother taught me to
always carry myself with integrity, to know what
to keep private and what to allow outside of my
personal circle. Integrity. Honor. Compassion.
They exemplify each of these and have imbed-
ded them into the person I am today.
CSM: How do you set goals for yourself?
DEBBIE: I consider where I am right here, right
now. I will never be content with the status quo
and twice a year, I set goals to exceed that status,
methodically and surgically. From a profession-
al perspective, it is often education and engaging
in a new sector of the financial industry, some-
thing I can use to bring value to our Companies.
My personal goals are always ones that bring
about confidence in who I am and personal secu-
rity in myself. Usually fitness in nature, I push
the boundaries with photoshoots and set goals to
make sure I arrive at the desired physique desti-
nation.