Debbie Thompson, M.A., SPHR
Debbie Thompson, M.A., SPHR, is an accomplished human resources leader and principal consultant with deep expertise in change management, employment law, and strategic workforce planning. As the Owner and Principal Consultant of Always On Consulting, founded in 2022, she partners with organizations to design HR strategies that attract top talent, strengthen performance, and foster inclusive, high-performing cultures. Her work focuses on aligning people strategy with business outcomes, ensuring equity and inclusion are embedded into organizational operations rather than treated as standalone initiatives.
Prior to launching her consultancy, Debbie spent more than 17 years at Horace Mann Educators Corporation, where she held multiple senior leadership roles, including Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Senior Strategic HR Business Partner. In these roles, she collaborated closely with C-suite and senior leaders on enterprise-wide workforce transformations, organizational restructurings, succession planning, and talent acquisition strategies. She has led large-scale realignments, developed national recruitment strategies, and provided trusted counsel across IT, finance, insurance, and municipal environments.
Debbie holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Illinois Springfield and is SPHR® certified. Known for putting the “human” in Human Resources, she believes the most effective HR solutions emerge where strategy meets empathy. In addition to her consulting work, she is deeply engaged in community leadership and nonprofit service, has been nominated for both the ATHENA Award and HR Professional of the Year, and is recognized for advancing equitable, practical, and sustainable HR solutions for organizations and communities alike.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
• Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) Certification
• University of Illinois Springfield - M.A.
• Nominee - HR Professional of the Year Award
• Nominee - Athena Award
• Top 50 Human Resources Professional Award
• University of Illinois Springfield Loyalty Award for Exceptional Alumni Service
• Wall Street Journal Award
• Illinois Women in Leadership
• UIS Professional Network Group
• Land of Lincoln Professional Network Group
• UIS Alumni Association Board
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• National Diversity Council
• University of Illinois Alumni Association
• UIS Professionals Network
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to accountability, resilience, and the power of mentorship. Losing both of my parents at a young age shaped my independence and instilled a strong work ethic that continues to guide me. Along the way, influential mentors—including Springfield’s first female mayor and my first HR director—reinforced the importance of leadership, integrity, and follow-through, values that remain central to how I work and lead today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be accountable—for my work, my word, and my outcomes. I’ve learned that a strong reputation is built over time, and trust is the most valuable professional asset you can earn and protect.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to do your research before joining an organization. Take the time to understand expectations, leadership styles, and core values so you can determine whether it’s the right fit. Most importantly, stay true to who you are and never compromise your integrity.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the growing burden of mandatory paid leave requirements, especially for small businesses and the restaurant industry. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity in leveraging AI to upskill employees and modernize HR functions—when implemented thoughtfully and responsibly.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are accountability, integrity, authenticity, and service. I take pride in delivering on what I promise and intentionally align my work with organizations that share and uphold these values.