About
Debra Wasserman specializes in purpose-driven leadership for companies and executives who want to develop robust and resilient teams; create innovative solutions to complex problems, and leave a legacy through kindness. Her new platform, The State of Kind, fosters inclusive leadership through honoring relationships, nurturing well-being, and igniting creativity. A State of Kind mind is essential for building lasting communities that reflect the change we want to see.
With over 30 years in a senior role, Debra teaches leaders how to leverage compassion for their company. She champions leaders and their teams to transform their organizations, launch new ventures and navigate through periods of transitions so they can increase their problem solving capacity, boost employee retention, strengthen organizational communication, and ultimately, increase profits. Debra is a sought after entrepreneurial strategist who supports her clients to activate the mindset that is conducive to leading a successful business.
Through her motivational and collegial style, she creates reciprocal partnerships with each client, focusing on their specific needs and areas of opportunity. Her coaching approach is specific, actionable and practical. She emphasizes follow-up to ensure effective implementation of the coaching process, as well as alignment with her client's mission, vision and values.
Debra is a certified-Gallup Strengths Coach and believes when we use the CliftonStrengths instrument to discover what we do best, we will have stronger team dynamics, better conversations and increased collaboration.
Prior to the launch of her Executive Leadership Coaching business, Debra served as the Executive Director of Israel Policy Forum (IPF), a bipartisan group that galvanized leaders in the business, philanthropic, entertainment and political communities to support an active American role in Middle East diplomacy. During her 11-year tenure, she built a national advocacy network and national board of directors that brought together donors and community leaders in a unique working partnership.
Debra is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is Chair of the Board of Kindness.org. She is a board member of The Baruch College Fund, Project ALS and UJA Federation of New York. Debra serves on UJA’s Community Initiative for Holocaust Survivors (CIHS) and on the Advisory Board of the Jewish Studies Center at Baruch College. Debra chaired UJA's Community Resource Cabinet for the past three years as well as the Advisory Council of the Center for Family Life at the Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center of Manhattan. Debra also fulfilled her three terms on the board of JCC Manhattan, Rodeph Sholom School and Shefa School.
Debra has a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University and a Bachelors of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in Executive and Organizational Coaching from New York University, The Neuroleadership Institute, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Seth Godin’s ALTMBA, Gallup as well as a health and wellness certification from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition (IIN). Debra also maintains a coaching client base of high-performing professionals.
Debra and her husband Jason Glasser, reside in New York City and have two children - Bret 17 and Blake 15."
