TESTIMONIALS

"Debra has an amazing ability to gently ask powerful questions to help you get wherever you need to go. Months later, I keep returning to reflect on our conversations and gain deeper insights; a sign of a skilled, dedicated, and amazing executive coach."
Adrienne Danyliw, Director, Saskatchewan Health Authority

​"Debra has a unique gift, where she can not only draw you in, but also coach in a Socratic way where you understand how to use different methods to solve different problems. She did an excellent job coaching a consulting group session I was in, where we role played and addressed change management in a multi level leadership environment. Thanks Debra! You truly are a gem."
Liz (Rubalcaba) Ruiz, Lead Improvement Advisor at Kaiser Permanente

"Debra helped me navigate a major life and career transformation. She was a weekly breath of fresh air as I strategized through developing my new company. She helped me tap into the courage and talent that had to be released in a new venue. Together we found the intersection between my gifts and talents and the needs in the healthcare industry. As a result I am now the President of my new company and more fulfilled professionally than I have ever been in my life. Debra was a God-send and I would recommend her to anyone daring enough to transform their life!"
Healthcare Strategy Executive, Inland Empire, CA 

​"She was a tremendous source of support, guidance, and inspiration. Her dedication to my growth, both personally and socially, has pushed me to achieve things I never thought possible. Through her leadership, I've gained not only skills and techniques but also invaluable life lessons on perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. I'm truly grateful for her unwavering belief in me and the positive impact she has had on my journey."
Alaa AlMashlab, Field Support Surveyor
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"I had the privilege of working with Debra as my coach, and the experience has been truly transformative. Through Debra’s coaching, I learned deeply that coaching is not therapy. The coachee is at the center, and Debra skillfully guides the process while empowering you to make meaningful decisions for yourself. She helped me move beyond overwhelming daily task lists to a clear, sustainable system: creating annual action plans and breaking them down into monthly, and weekly priorities. This approach brought clarity, focus, and a real sense of achievement. Seeing progress written down changed how I approach work and life, and it’s a skill I will use for the rest of my life.
Debra also transformed how I think about networking. I learned how to start conversations confidently, conduct informational interviews, and even have purposeful, impactful conversations in just two minutes. Before this, I didn’t know how to initiate conversations; now I understand how essential they are for advancing work, securing support, and strengthening community initiatives. We practiced asking the right questions, and as a result, I now approach events with confidence. Recently, I found myself clearly and confidently speaking about my organization and following up on funding opportunities, something I would not have done before.
One of the most powerful aspects of Debra’s coaching is that she always brings the focus back to you. Every week she asked, “What did you do for yourself?” That question reshaped my mindset. As someone who is always focused on others, I learned that caring for myself is not optional, and that there is always something small I can do to bring myself joy and balance.
Debra also guided me step by step in building a strong LinkedIn profile and CV, showing me how to network intentionally, connect with prospective employers, and request recommendations effectively. She taught me the importance of following up after events and leading with thoughtful recommendations that highlight others’ strengths—an approach that builds genuine, lasting professional relationships.
​Debra’s coaching is practical, empowering, and deeply human. Her work brings clarity, confidence, and momentum, and it shines through the growth of the people she supports. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking meaningful personal and professional transformation.
​Guylaine Djifack, Registered Nurse | Community Health Advocate, Case Worker

"Debra coached me through a major career change. Her perspective gave me the self-confidence to push beyond my comfort zone and get the job I really wanted. Incidentally, my relationship with my dad and girlfriend has never been better. Thanks Debra!"
Vice President, Finance Firm, Santa Monica, CA.
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"I was stuck!  Lots of ideas floating around in my head but I no longer knew my passions.  Years of building a career and raising my son as a single parent, I lost sight of them; and then came Debra Barrath.  Five sessions with her, I have clarity about my passions and established the priorities for this season of my life. Debra helped me by setting a safe, constructive environment wherein she asked the “right” questions and guided me onto the path I was seeking.  I found the experience extremely gratifying and life changing!  I would recommend Debra Barrath to people who need to get 'unstuck.'"
Sondra, Retired Public Servant, Los Angeles, CA
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​"Debra is a highly skilled and personable coach who has the ability to craft her approach to fit each client's needs. I highly recommend hiring her as a coach for high value, high integrity coaching!" 
Councilwoman, City of El Monte, CA

"Debra is a creative and innovative thinker who is not afraid to approach problems as opportunities. I feel Debra would be a fabulous asset to any team interested in innovative and progressive solutions."
Dora Barilla, Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Innovation, Loma Linda University Health

"Debra and I worked on a large scale project for Alberta Health Services - Calgary Area this past year. Debra has a strong academic background and a thirst for knowledge. She is open to new ideas and ways of thinking. She comes at her work with the best of intentions for the collective good of the organization, over self-interest. She has a solid understanding of health care.  I would highly recommend Debra for an organization that wants to do the 'right' thing"
Laurie Maslak, Executive Director, Organizational Effectiveness, Alberta Health Services

​"I was extremely impressed by Debra's vast knowledge of the healthcare system and her ability to conduct thorough environmental scans. Debra has the unique ability to synthesize a large volume of information and adapt the findings to develop innovative recommendations. Even more impressive was Debra's enthusiasm, her outstanding writing skills, and her sincere and deep desire to work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve health outcomes. It is with pleasure that I provide her with the highest level of recommendation."
Brigitte McDonough, Senior Executive Leader, Alberta Health Services

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​"For several years now Debra has led our leadership learning sessions for the Randall Lewis Health & Policy Fellowship. Debra has the ability to mentor and guide with such grace. Each session has fellows raving about what an amazing experience. Leading a group of 30+ fellows over zoom the last two years could have been a disaster, but it was the opposite. She has the ability to challenge and encourage them to share and express themselves. She has guided them through leadership styles, resilience training, career planning and so much more. During these years Debra has grown not just as a colleague, but has become wonderful friend."
Jaynie Boren, Executive Director,  Partners for Better Health

​"Debra's personal approach, professionalism, knowledge and integrity was a true value for us. We will use her services in the future and highly recommend her."
Shoshana Kliman, Realtor, JohnHart Real Estate Redefined, Sherman Oaks, CA.

“Debra is an experienced and extremely competent health care professional with broad expertise including excellent project management, execution and evaluation skills."
Shahnaz Davachi, Director of Diverse Populations & Chronic Disease Management, Alberta Health Services

"Debra demonstrates professionalism, integrity and commitment in all of the work she does. Debra's energy and enthusiasm, her responsiveness to stakeholder input, her academic background and her strong contribution to moving organizational goals forward, all support her as a strong nursing leader."
Annjanette Weddell, Executive Director of Professional Practice, Alberta Health Services
 
"Debra has demonstrated work of the highest quality and attention to detail. Her ability to assimilate perspectives from outside the healthcare field in relevant ways has enabled others to view problems and solutions with greater creativity than they would have brought to the table on their own."
Chris Laroque, Manager of Business Process Engineering, Calgary Health Region

"Debra is a master of multitasking. She has great abilities in team-building, reaching out, and inspiring. One of the attributes that I believe distinguishes Debra the most is that, while she is a highly accomplished professional, she is very personable and easy to work with."
AJ Jadalla, Assistant Professor, California State University at Long Beach
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