Debbie currently serves as Vice President of Planning and Real Estate Development for University Circle Inc. (UCI), the non-profit development, service, and advocacy organization responsible for transforming Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood into a premier urban district.  Her responsibilities include managing physical development projects, coordinating future development opportunities, and overseeing needed infrastructure, greenspace and neighborhood improvements.

Debbie is directing the effort to transform UCI into an active development corporation that is driving a neighborhood renaissance in University Circle. She is leading multi-million dollar investments at key locations throughout the district, which include UCI’s Bring Back Euclid Avenue Campaign and eight strategic investment projects that will change the face of University Circle with a hotel, new housing, businesses, and wayfinding and streetscape amenities.

Prior to joining UCI, Debbie served as the Lakefront Plan Manager for the City of Cleveland and managed the Waterfront District Plan, a comprehensive redevelopment plan for more than eight-miles of Cleveland’s shoreline.

Debbie holds a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.  She is a Registered Professional Engineer in Ohio.  She is currently serving as President of the Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners where she oversees improvements to over 23,000 acres of parks and public spaces.  She is Chairperson of the infrastructure advocacy organization, Build Up Greater Cleveland (BUGC) and also serves as a Board member for the Cleveland Leadership Center, Women in Transportation, and the local chapter of the American Planning Association.   Debbie was named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business top “Forty under 40” and she is a graduate of the 2024 Leadership Cleveland class.