About Debra

It all started when Debra was a young girl and attracted to the Holy Eucharist.  She didn’t realize it at the time, but the Holy Spirit was already preparing her for a life of service with the gift of encouragement and a curious mind.  Today Debra uses those same gifts as a priest to coach clergy, clergy families, those in discernment, and others who are considering What’s Next?

Over her thirty years of ordination Debra has served in parishes both as a settled and interim priest. She has also served on two diocesan staffs specializing transition/search process with both congregations and clergy.

Debra is available to coach Diocesan Transition Minister’s (DTM - Episcopal) and fill in for them while on vacation or Sabbatical. She is also available as a transition (What’s Next?) consultant to invite congregations, ministry boards, and other groups and teams into the journey of transition from “what was” to the place that is “not yet.” 

As a Transition Specialist and Consultant, Debra encourages individuals and congregations, teams, groups, and organizations to let go of, and learn from, the past so they can move toward their future with excitement and joy.  She equips committee members to carry out the various stages of the search/call process as both mentor and coach.  Debra shares stories about what other successful churches are doing and uses tools to explore and help vestries, congregations, and committees to think about past and present situations with an eye to the future.

Beyond her passion for the church, Debra enjoys photography and loves being near the water and the mountains.  Her favorite pastimes are snorkeling and scuba diving.  She plays the mountain dulcimer and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty while trying her hand at the pottery wheel and other forms of art.  Debra is married and has one adult daughter, who was adopted from China.