Debra attended California State University Northridge where she received her BA in Liberal Studies. She spent the next seventeen years as a financial consultant. 

Debra served as president of Park Century School Parent Association and as Chair of Annual Giving. She also served as Chair of Annual Giving for Westmark school. Debra is a Sustainer of the Junior League of Los Angeles, is a member of their Leadership Legacy Circle, sits on the ‘LLCs’ Executive Council as the Secretary. As a mother, daughter, sister, cousin and niece of a dyslexic she has become quite energized by the need to advocate.