Debra has been a leader in the health and community services sector for well over 20 years driving innovation in service delivery and policy reform, in the areas of Housing and Homelessness, Family Violence, Mental Health, AOD and Community Legal Services. She is committed to the work of creating an equitable and just community for all.

As CEO of Ruah and its wholly owned subsidiary Rual Legal Services, Debra has led impact collaborations, most notably in the work of ending homelessness and made significant contributions to the Government’s long-term policy initiatives including its 10- year Strategy, as well as being a founding member of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness. In her leadership at Ruah, she has continued to champion the work of wholistic and integrated supports across the organisation and recently opened the first youth suicide service in Australia, a collaboration with Samaritans and Telethon Kids Institute.

Debra has a strong vision and a strategic approach to ending areas of significant injustice in our community, requiring support and action from across Government, the community services sector, corporate Western Australia, and the wider community. She has served on the Board of numerous WA Peak Bodies.. She is currently a Director on the State Training Board, Ministerial Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group and Chair of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness.

Debra is a strong ally and advocate for our First Nations peoples, acknowledging the strength, wisdom and resilience of their culture and the role First Nations People and knowledge plays in creating just and equitable communities. Debra has led the deepening maturity of RCS as a culturally sensitive and safe place for Aboriginal clients and staff that choose a relationship with Ruah, through our Stretch RAP, Board, Executive and Senior Aboriginal leaders and staff. Debra is committed to ongoing and deepening learning ensuring that Ruah is a culturally safe and secure organization.