Debora Gittens
Débora G. is an accomplished executive and operations professional with over eight years of experience supporting senior leadership across major financial and corporate organizations. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside executives at firms such as Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, and Ralph Lauren, building a reputation as a trusted right hand to leadership. Her expertise lies in serving as the critical bridge between executives and their stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, strong alignment, and seamless operations—even in high-pressure environments.
In her current role, Débora continues to excel at managing executive priorities, streamlining processes, and fostering collaboration across teams. Known for her reliability and emotional intelligence, she adapts her approach to meet the needs of different personalities and work styles, allowing her to maintain strong partnerships at every level of an organization. Whether overseeing schedules, supporting strategic initiatives, or stepping in during an executive’s absence, she brings a steady, solutions-oriented mindset that enables leaders to focus on high-level decision-making with confidence.
Now, Débora is channeling her experience into building her own virtual executive assistant business, where she aims to support startups and small to mid-sized companies with flexible, high-level operational support. With a vision of maintaining a select group of dedicated clients, she is creating a career that blends professional excellence with personal freedom—allowing her to continue doing what she does best while embracing her passion for travel. Her journey reflects a commitment to growth, adaptability, and delivering meaningful impact wherever she works.
• Emerging Leaders Certification
• Alison Academy
• Middlesex College
• Drake Incorporated- Associate's
• Borough of Manhattan Community College
• U.S. Census Bureau Community Outreach and Education
• Children's Hospital Volunteer Work
What do you attribute your success to?
I wouldn't say my life has been perfect - there have been failures or things that I could have done better where the outcome wasn't as expected. But those experiences let me learn to take time out when things don't go the way I anticipated, to figure out why and what I need to do to get to where I want to go, and then work on that. Maybe that means taking some courses or learning a new skill. I always want to learn, I'm always looking for ways to improve and keep up with what's the new thing now that I can incorporate into my work. I try to stay a little ahead of the game, learning about AI and all that kind of stuff. So it's really about being a lifelong learner and not being afraid to figure out what went wrong and how to do better next time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have good emotional intelligence. Don't let your emotions carry you away, and don't overthink, because sometimes we tend to create our own narrative in our mind and it could be so off and so wrong. I think having good communication is essential - getting to know people, knowing their temperament, getting to know their style. A lot of times, some people are just there but they're not really present and observing. You need to watch their style of work, know when to approach them, watch their temperament and their mood. Like, okay, this is not a good time to approach them, so I'll wait and call back later in the day. Or that person is not a morning person, so we're not going to discuss anything right now, we'll wait till noontime when the wheels start spinning and then engage with them. Just be very discerning, pay a lot of attention, and keep the line of communication open. That is so essential because a lot of times you think you know that person because they do something the same way all the time, but their mindset could be in a totally different place. Make sure everyone is on the same page and just feel comfortable speaking with you, as well as vice versa - you feel comfortable speaking with them. Be adaptable, be flexible, know when to hone in or pump your brakes and recalibrate. And don't be afraid to ask questions.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is integrating new tools and technology, including AI, to improve efficiency and streamline operations. At the same time, a key challenge is balancing multiple responsibilities while clearly communicating capacity and reprioritizing work when priorities shift.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are clear communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, a commitment to continuous learning, and making meaningful time for my family.