Debra brings a long history of service and experience to her role at Life House Atlanta. In her role as an Ad-Hoc member of the team, she provides guidance related to fundraising, donor development and community building.
Debra holds a B.S. in Psychology from Georgia Southern University, and a Masters in Counseling from Long Island University, CW Post (West Point Campus). Her career began with the U.S. Army with roles in personnel management across the U.S., Europe and Panama (during the U.S. invasion), and as a Civil Servant at Fort Bragg, U.S. Military Academy West Point and Fort Meade. She transitioned into roles in higher education, working as a Career Counselor (University of Akron), Vice President of the Atlanta Metropolitan State College Foundation, and Senior Director of Development, Principal and Major Gifts at Kennesaw State University. In Akron, she also served as Homeland Security Coordinator, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and later she coordinated the Ann Frank Exhibit for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust at KSU. Currently, she owns and operates D.R. Day Consulting, a boutique fundraising consulting business, focusing on working with university systems and non-profits. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Military Women Veterans, Kennesaw State Retiree Association and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
In her volunteer life, Debra’s current commitments include the Bridgemill Sixes Service League, The Park at Steeles Bridge HOA Social Committee Chair, BeCommunity Women’s Book Club and is a Veteran of Foreign Wars Nominee. Previously, she was involved in leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Marietta, Women in Defense (GA Chapter, Founding Member), Coalition of 100 Black Women, KSU Women’s Executive Leadership Program, North Metro Church Stephen Ministry, LiveSave (formerly YWCA Marietta) Tribute to Women Honoree and Domestic Violence Shelter Volunteer and a career resource volunteer for Transfiguration Catholic Church. Debra was raised in Harlem, and later Savannah. She and her husband, who is also retired from the U.S. Army, have two adult daughters. Debra joined the team at Life House Atlanta in support of its mission. “I think that serving vulnerable children and their families is a noble cause worthy of public and private support. My expertise in fundraising is useful to LHA as it seeks to identify and develop relationships with individuals and organizations that identify with its mission.”
