Dr. Debra L. Brown
President & CEO
Dr. Debra Brown is a globally-respected thought leader and the founder, President and CEO of Governance Solutions. Under Debra’s leadership, GSI developed a comprehensive, principles-based governance system that has been adopted by organizations, governments, and not-for-profits around the world. It was also the foundation for The Directors College, The Professional Director Education and Certification Program®, and other governance education and university-accredited certification programs.
With over 30 years’ experience in corporate governance, Debra has trained thousands of board members and C-suite executives. She’s served as a consultant, coach and mentor for hundreds more.
Prior to founding Governance Solutions, Debra twice served as a CEO in the financial services sector and sat on the board of several organizations, including as Board Chair and Governance Committee Chair. As a result, she is uniquely qualified as a governance advisor, with the ability to see issues from both sides of the boardroom table. Debra is personally invested in her clients’ success and takes immense pride in having helped thousands of board members and executives successfully solve their governance problems.
Debra has co-authored four books on corporate governance, including Governance Solutions: The Ultimate Guide to Competence and Confidence in the Boardroom. She has also authored dozens of articles and publications, writes a column for The Financial Gazette, and regularly contributes to Ethical Boardroom, a globally recognized corporate governance periodical.
A Professional Director and member of The Institute of Corporate Directors, Debra also holds a Doctorate in Leadership and a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she graduated magma cum laude. Her doctoral thesis was Using Governance as a Tool to Transform Organizational Culture.
Governance Specialties: Private, Public, Not-For-Profit, Regulatory College, Health, Colleges & Universities, Indigenous, School Board, Energy, Credit Unions & Cooperatives
Areas of Expertise: Risk Governance, Corporate Governance, Accountability, Board Structure, Board Renewal, Board And CEO Evaluation & Compensation, Corporate Governance Audits, Reports, Presentations, Training, Coaching
Founder/Co-Founder: Governance Solutions, The Directors College, The Professional Director Education and Certification Program®
Author/Co-Author: Governance Solutions: The Ultimate Guide to Competence and Confidence in the Boardroom
Governing in Scary Times: The Board’s Roadmap for Governing Through and Beyond an Emergency;
Virtually There: Dos and Don’ts for Planning, Chairing and Holding Virtual Board and Annual General Meetings;
ESG Matters: How to Save the Planet, Empower People, and Outperform the Competition
