Debbie Hearty is an accomplished executive leader, talent strategist, and organizational development expert with extensive experience leading transformation efforts across public education, local government, and nonprofit organizations. As an Analytic Partner with The Impact Team, Debbie recently completed her first full year supporting school and district leaders in strengthening leadership capacity, developing high-performing teams, and building systems that support sustainable improvement.

Debbie began her career as a high school mathematics teacher before advancing into executive leadership roles, including Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and senior leadership positions responsible for organizational strategy, leadership development, and culture. Throughout her career, she has successfully led complex organizational initiatives, developed leadership pipelines, facilitated large-scale change efforts, and coached leaders at all levels to improve individual and organizational performance.

Her expertise spans leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness, succession planning, team development, adult learning, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent management, and mathematics teaching and learning. She is particularly skilled at helping organizations strengthen leadership capacity, align teams around common goals, and create cultures that support continuous improvement and accountability.

A hallmark of Debbie’s work is her ability to help leaders navigate complexity, manage change effectively, and establish the structures and systems necessary to achieve meaningful results. She brings a unique blend of educational expertise and executive leadership experience, enabling her to support schools and districts in strengthening both instructional leadership and the organizational conditions that sustain long-term success.

Debbie’s professional experience extends across the United States and Asia, providing her with a broad perspective on leadership, culture, and organizational improvement. She has also served as an instructor at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Colorado Boulder and Metropolitan State University, helping prepare future leaders through coursework focused on leadership, organizational development, and educational practice.

Debbie holds a Master’s degree from Stanford University and is a highly regarded facilitator and speaker on leadership effectiveness, team performance, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent development, and organizational change. Her work is grounded in the belief that strong leadership, effective teams, and intentional talent development are critical drivers of organizational excellence and improved outcomes for students.