Debbie Haskins
Debbie Haskins is a Payroll Specialist, photographer, and author of Lessons and Reflections, with over a decade of experience in emergency response and business operations within the nonprofit sector. She began writing her book between 2018 and 2019, and it was published in 2021. The book, which falls within the encouragement and inspiration genre, is based on her personal and professional experiences and reflects her belief that positive outcomes can emerge from every life experience. Currently based in the Rochester, New York metropolitan area and working with CDS Life Transitions, she is known for her detail-oriented, service-focused approach to payroll and financial operations while maintaining a strong passion for creative expression.
Debbie has been passionate about writing and photography for most of her life. She has been practicing photography for 40 years, and although it has not always been her primary profession, she has successfully sold several of her photographic works. Her writing is completely self-driven; she often writes poems, cards, and inspirational messages that flow naturally from her personal reflections and life experiences. She draws inspiration from her professional work and everyday interactions, believing that every person she meets has a story worth sharing. Her creative work also includes expanding one of her poems honoring first responders, veterans, and law enforcement into a song that she is working to have played on the airwaves. She has distributed more than 800 business cards featuring her poetry across multiple states, including South Dakota, Wyoming, and Alabama, as a way of spreading encouragement and appreciation for those who serve.
Above all, Debbie is driven by her commitment to treating people with kindness, professionalism, and exceptional service in both her personal and professional life. She strives to leave others feeling valued, satisfied, and encouraged after every interaction. Looking ahead, she is developing a children’s book series titled Ralphie’s Travel Adventures, told from the perspective of a car exploring the world. Through her writing, photography, and community outreach, Debbie continues to focus on inspiring others, sharing positive messages, and creating meaningful connections through storytelling and creativity.
• SUNY - B.S, Emergency Management
• Monroe Community College - A.A, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
• Greece Boy Scout Troop 195
• Dewey Avenue Family Festival Planning Committee
• Greece Volunteer Ambulance Svc
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and embracing my friendships. I just keep persevering, even when things don't work out. I went down to Nashville and tried to reach out to big names there. I've sent numerous messages to various artists through Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and all those platforms, and I don't take the lack of responses as nos. I just take them in three directions and keep going. Friendships are the best investment we can make in our life. I invest wisely, meaning I choose the people who are going to choose me. When you see people that are drawing more from you than giving you the positive energy that you were giving out, then the time may have passed for your friendship. I focus on investing in the friendships that are going to be best for me. I am very blessed. I have several different groups of friends that I've got throughout my years, and I can draw on any of them for a pick-me-up. My parents have also been a huge inspiration to me for everything I've accomplished, and they've been cheerleaders in what I've done.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to not let episodes of adversity stop me from pursuing what I want to achieve. I have learned to view challenges as opportunities to grow, adapt, and strengthen my resolve rather than as obstacles that define my path. Staying focused on my goals, maintaining resilience in difficult moments, and continuing to move forward with purpose have been key principles guiding my professional journey. I believe success is built through perseverance, determination, and the willingness to keep progressing even when circumstances become difficult.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Draw upon your experiences. Don't let negative thoughts onto your minds. Just whatever flows in your head, if it's in your heart, write it down. Don't stop. Don't let the roadblocks stop you. Don't listen to the negative. Episodes of adversity make us what we are. We have the power to choose to let them overpower us, or we can view them as life-defining moments when we rise to new heights and gain a new perspective that we could not have even imagined before. Episodes of adversity are temporary roadblocks which provide opportunities for us to tap into our inner strength and achieve that which was once perceived as unattainable. Episodes of adversity are those situations we can look back, reflect on the knowledge that we overcame them, and smile about a job well done. Bloom where you are planted. It doesn't matter where you were born or anything like that, just bloom.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
She's had the opportunity to see her father persevere thought dialysis and her mother be his care giver both in their 80's and being entrepreneurs. This has provided her with the opportunity to be fearless in perusing her dreams.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My goal, no matter where I am in life, is to treat people the best I can. I want to give them the best customer service, whether it's in my personal life or professional life. I want people to walk away feeling happy and satisfied after they've talked to me, and if I can't give them what they need, hopefully I can at least point them in the right direction. I always want to present my best self as far as customer service and treating people as the special people they are, no matter whether they're a little prickly or whether they're a little different, because everybody's got a story. You never know how their story can impact your life for the better or make us stronger. I also value spending time with my family. I'm very blessed. I'm still close to all my cousins and my three aunts, two of which I'm very close to. I'm very close to my parents and my brother and my sister, so spending time with them is priceless. I also value quilting, traveling, and playing games and cards with friends.