Strategic Planning & Management Operations

Debra has spent her 25-year career in both financial services and strategic consulting.   As a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, Debra held a broad range of operating positions.  

Highlights include: 

• Built a European retail investment advisory business, to include building marketing and internet teams with Pan-European capability under a global organizational framework

• Established the function of Chief Operating Officer for IT – the largest division of Morgan Stanley

• Established the function of Operating Officer for a newly-formed Asset Management Division and led the integration efforts during acquisitions

• Acted as Special Assistant to the Morgan Stanley Chief Operating Officer and then President (John Mack), and served on the Operating Committee

• Created a cross-divisional training effort, including a worldwide training initiative for all Associates, Vice President and Principals. This effort was part of a strategic, firm-wide, market-driven culture shift initiative

• Established the first institutional marketing effort within Morgan Stanley

• Debra also headed up client services for a global asset management firm, Fisher Francis Trees & Watt, and was a strategic consultant for Coopers & Lybrand in New York.

• Debra holds dual US/UK Citizenship. 

• MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

• MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics (Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship)

• BSE in Engineering from Princeton University