“Fear means you are right on the verge of growth or a breakthrough.” As a successful Chief People Officer, Debi Wolfe is the first to admit she feels afraid more than you might expect. However, the important thing is to continue moving through the discomfort. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about her career journey from sales to human resources, and learn how she continually reminds herself to lean into courage.
Bio: Debi Wolfe is a dynamic and versatile C-suite executive and entrepreneur. Early in Debi’s career, she started and owned Science Solutions, a regional scientific staffing company, that was acquired by Kforce, a large publicly traded staffing firm. Debi became President of the Scientific Division and built the business into a top tier national player. She later helped Kforce divest the business as their overall strategy shifted. This success resulted in expanded responsibilities enterprise wide as she became Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Kforce. More recently, Debi was the Chief People Officer for U.S. operation at Hays, a global recruiting company based in London. Currently, Debi serves as an executive advisor, coach, and fractional Chief Human Resource & Operations Officer.
Debi is an expert in building, modernizing, transforming, scaling, and optimizing businesses through holistic talent, culture and technology strategies. She views her career as a mission and is driven by a deep sense of purpose to make a positive impact on others. Debi holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development from Avila University and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Clemson University. She SHRM-SCP certified and also has certifications in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership, DE&I in the Workplace and Predictive Index.
Debi has been a guest lecturer for the Executive MBA and Doctoral programs at the University of South Florida speaking on entrepreneurship, leadership, and organizational development. Debi has been a contributing writer for Forbes HR Council. She has appeared on Bloomberg TV and been profiled in Entrepreneur Magazine. She has received many honors and awards over her career but most recently she was recognized as SIA’s Global Power 150 Women in Staffing and SIA DE&I Influencer. She was a 2019 Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year honoree.
In her personal time, Debi is deeply involved with orphan care and education in Malawi, Africa as well as other community service projects. She is on the Advisory Board for Pothawira International and Care Portal.
Debi’s Something Extra: “Brave is not something you feel. Brave is something you do. Be brave.”
