Debra sunderland

Debra serves as a mentor with the following think tanks and educational institutions:

Recognized in the media:

Working with Debra is unlike any other coaching experience - elevating your life, your joy, and your leadership! The results are sustainable engagement, higher retention, authentic communication, deeper trust, team alignment, move-the-needle meetings, purpose-filled days, attracting more clients, and increasing revenues. She fosters a culture of genius leaders, in a uniquely transformative way, using Conscious Leadership principles, thus supporting her clients to truly live their genius and get out of drama and conflict.

Debra’s clients and their companies become the model of transformation, no matter where they are on their journey. Debra’s genius is creating a clear vision for CEOs and their teams and making that vision a reality. With decades of C-level executive and team coaching experience, Debra challenges leaders by inviting them to create a curious, collaborative, vibrant, responsible, and joy-filled culture, which fosters highly desirable results. Her practice transforms a diverse range of industries: hi-tech, wealth management, engineering, healthcare, marketing, nonprofits, and more.

Debra specializes in awakening leaders to transform their upper limiting beliefs, sabotaging behaviors, and unconscious biases, moving them into sustainable excellence and self-awareness. She coaches through the tough and uncomfortable work of removing the blockages preventing leaders from fully living their genius, equipping them with the thoughts and skills to bring their goals to fruition. She challenges leaders to own their results in all areas of life, to be present in the here and now, stepping out of leading with reactivity and into conscious leadership. The CEO's chief purpose is to raise up their teams to practice radical responsibility and curiosity. Organizations achieve their optimal outcomes when they shift out of drama and create win-for-all solutions.

Debra graduated from New York University Inner MBA Mindful and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University. She is certified in The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, the Integrative9 Enneagram, Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius, Byron Katie’s No-Body, Corporate Goal Coaching, and CTI Co-Active training. Debra’s work has been featured on ABC News, NBC News, Fox National/Local News, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, and Chicago Sun-Times. She is the former Chicago Vistage chair and a small business coach with the Small Business Administration's T.H.R.I.V.E. program. Debra is a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University and Belmont University. She is often called on to write for publications such as Authority Magazine, has a best-selling book, and is working on its follow-up. Debra enjoys sharing her genius through speaking, workshops, and retreats. Her base is Nashville and she works with clients worldwide.


My Story

It’s what you tell yourself…

My journey in life began living with a physically and emotionally abusive mother and an alcoholic father. My life was a spectacle, a series of incidents for my neighbors and schoolmates to read in the news. At a young age it became vital to trust my own thoughts and have faith that I could attain whatever I desired. I had to learn this to survive.

By age 19, I was thrown out of my home. With no shelter, money, food or support, I worked four jobs and lived with friends. I managed my pain and insecurity by becoming a compulsive overachiever – academics, music, sports and work - constantly in overdrive to be the best in every area of my life. When I was ready to finally face myself, I became aware that my pursuit of outward perfection was preventing me from knowing and living as my authentic self.

This realization inspired my personal growth work, and I began to understand the immense power of my thoughts and choices. I found my way to peace, joy and true purpose. Now, I align who I am with what I do, and choose to believe in my greatness despite messages of the past. These shifts bolstered my emotional intelligence, my self-awareness and brought me further than I ever thought possible. I do not regret my struggles because they taught me to choose forgiveness, love, and acceptance, even in the face of impossible odds. These concepts are the foundation from which I coach and guide others. 

Surviving Impossible Odds

One of my greatest joys was discovering my love for competitive cycling – spending 15 plus hours each week training with my coach and team. Beyond developing new skills and discipline, racing was a way to practice overcoming fear. I had no idea this practice would save my life.

It was a June day, with only three laps to go, and I knew I was headed for the podium in the 2013 Glencoe Criterium. I suddenly found myself trapped between other racers – someone bumped me and I was sent sprawling to the pavement. My head, neck and ribs on the right side of my body were crushed when I slammed into the curb. I began convulsing. Having suffered severe traumatic brain injury, the paramedics did not expect me to survive the trip to the hospital. I was placed in a medically induced coma and put on life support. The doctors told my friends it was a miracle that I had survived such an accident.

Even without my conscious awareness, my body and mind already knew how to keep going, even in the face of death. My entire life had prepared me for this. As my brain healed, I understood its power to give or take life in an instant. We each have the power to think, believe and create our reality. We can choose life or death – not just physically - but emotionally and spiritually. The power we have is a conscious choice. This is why I am so passionate to share my experience with others – where we focus our thoughts can allow us to overcome almost anything. 

Leading My Children

Luke is thriving as he has several businesses in the music industry with a graduate degree from Belmont University. He is married and building a beautiful life with his wife. Isabel is a world game-changer as she finishes her studies at American University. She competes in model UN, is on the board for international society, and works full-time with a firm in London fighting anti-trust laws to guard children. Her intention is to rebuild countries that have experienced atrocities. All of this is on top of double majoring in justice in law and international relations. I am blessed beyond measure to have children who are thriving and love life.

My Life’s Work

It is my purpose and calling to help others find their own and create presence, joy and fulfillment in their lives. My near-death experience taught me that living joyfully and fully is a choice. I now live to coach those that want to institute deep change in their life, to align their unique being with their doing. While this applies to every person, this is the foundation for transformational leadership and the creation of a successful and sustainable workplace.

You have the power to lead a successful life of meaning and joy.

Debra & her two children, Luke and Isabel