Deb has a passionate interest in how the public, philanthropic, nonprofit, and private sectors can partner and leverage their resources and expertise to solve the nation's most intractable social problems. Her dedication to building public-private partnerships can be traced to her leadership roles in government, philanthropy, and nonprofits.

Prior to joining New Profit, Deb served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Counsel to Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder. While at DOJ, Deb ran the multi-agency, multi-disciplinary Children Exposed to Violence Initiative and Public Private Partnership Initiative. She came to her leadership position at DOJ from a distinguished career as an award-winning federal prosecutor handling high profile cases across the country, and made the move from trial work to policy work when she became convinced that prevention and intervention strategies were vital to breaking the cycle of violence, the school to prison pipeline, and many other social problems. Deb has also served in leadership roles in nonprofits and foundations, including VP for Public Policy at Turnaround for Children, Director of Public Policy at the Yale University Child Study Center/National Center for Children Exposed to Violence, and VP and General Counsel of the I Am Your Child Foundation. Deb is an honors graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and she has taught classes ranging from American Government to White Collar Crime at various colleges and law schools. She is a sought-after public speaker on issues relating to children exposed to violence, and she has published numerous articles on innovations in education reform, juvenile justice policy, and law enforcement/mental health partnerships.

When Deb is not advancing America Forward's agenda with policy leaders and coalition members, she can be found enjoying the magic of everyday moments with her husband and two children, playing classical piano, singing, hiking, taking photographs, and having adventures with her family (preferably involving travel to the mountains or creative art projects).

What would you say is one of the most surprising things about you?
My husband and I met performing in a Klezmer musical in DC, and we once won a Virginia Latin ballroom dance competition.

What is your favorite quote?
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -- Anne Frank

Favorite place in the entire world?
Crater Lake at the base of the Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado.