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Deb Boelkes

Deb Boelkes

  • Leadership Expert, Award-winning Author, Speaker

Biography

Deb Boelkes is the award-winning author of "The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture," "Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring," and "Women on Top: What’s Keeping You From Executive Leadership?" Her latest book, "Strong Suit: Leadership Success Secrets From Women on Top," will be released in early 2023.

Having spent 30 years climbing the career ladder within male-dominated Fortune 500 technology firms, Deb knows firsthand the challenges women can face in their efforts to reach the top. That’s why in 2009 she founded the leadership development firm Business World Rising (originally called Business Women Rising) to accelerate the advancement of high-potential women and men to the top of “Best Place to
Work” organizations.

In The WOW Factor Workplace, Deb changed our expectations about achieving joy and fulfillment from our jobs. In Heartfelt Leadership, she changed our expectations of those who lead. Women on Top transformed the way women pursue their careers and Strong Suit provides the candid mentoring every woman needs to become the best leader she can be on her way to the top.

Deb speaks to corporations, industry associations, and universities the world over—both on stage and as a podcast guest expert—on career advancement, leadership development, and creating “Best Place to Work” organizations. She is regularly featured in publications ranging from CNN Business and Thrive Global to Authority Magazine, Diversity MBA Magazine, Advancing Women, and industry-centric periodicals like Women Leading Travel and Hospitality.

Deb received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her MBA in management information systems from the University of Rhode Island. She lives on Amelia Island in northeast Florida with her husband, Chris. Together they have three grown sons and four granddaughters.