About

DEBORAH J. LEVINE is an award-winning author, keynoter, and trainer/ coach. A pioneer in the cultural diversity field, she designs cross-cultural materials, diversity training workshops, and executive coaching programs. She has lived in British Bermuda and worked /studied in multiple regions of the US: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York City, Tulsa, and Santa Cruz, CA. Deborah is currently headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION LEADERSHIP

She is a pioneer in Thought Diversity, developing leadership with flexible skills in communication, conflict management, and wise decision making in a diverse environment. (See her textbook: Matrix Model Management System: Guide to Cross-Cultural Wisdom). Her diversity training strategies were field-tested in her projects in Chattanooga, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York City, and Tulsa.

Deborah created the Women’s Council on Diversity (now part of the international Lean In movement) and the DuPage Interfaith Resource Network (a cutting-edge model included in Harvard’s American Pluralism Project). Her latest book, Religious Diversity at Work: Guide to Religious Diversity in the US Workplace, is designed for HR and diversity professionals. Deborah is the host of the ADR Podcasts and interviews experts from around the country.

Clients: Deborah has been a diversity coach, trainer, and speaker for multiple organizations and conferences: Unum Life Insurance of America, First TN Bank, Suntrust Bank, US National Parks Service, Erlanger Health System, Colleges of Medicine in TN and AL, Chambers of Commerce (Chattanooga, Birmingham), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

Articles about Deborah’s religious diversity work have appeared in The Chicago Tribune , The Tulsa World, The Chattanooga Times Free Press, and The Christian Century

CROSS-CULTURAL TEAMS

Deborah’s cross-cultural coaching and workshops are tailored to meet the leadership development and diverse team building needs of each client. Her technique is based on the methodology of cultural anthropology, the implementation strategies of urban planning, and the engagement approach of Southern storytelling. Her book, Going Southern: The No-Mess Guide to Success in the South, combines culture, humor, and storytelling for expats & US transplants coming into the South. The book was featured nationally on CSPAN and bought in bulk by numerous corporations and colleges.

Clients: Deborah has served as a cross-cultural consultant, trainer, and coach for executives and diverse teams for corporate, government, non-profit, and education institutions including: Volkswagen, Nissan, International Paper, Kimberly Clark, La-Z-Boy Inc., BlueCross BlueShield of TN, Birmingham International Center, City of Chattanooga, University of Tennessee, Urban League/ Chattanooga, Fulbright Scholars of Alabama.

PROFESSIONAL PLANNING

Deborah specializes in coaching leadership in planning innovative projects. She guides them through the process of developing and articulate vision, mission, goals, and objectives as well determining the tasks, budget, timeline, and resources necessary for grant/contract application.

Clients: Deborah has worked with organizations onsite and online:

Wealthopia University, Chicago City Ballet, College of Engineering & Computer Science/ UTC, Love Without Reason, Inc., Dept. of Education, Arts & Culture/City of Chattanooga.

AWARD WINNING Author

The winner of a National Press Association Award, Deborah's articles are syndicated in local newspapers and appear internationally in the European Women in Construction & Engineering, Harvard Divinity School Bulletin, The Bermudian Magazine, The Journal of Ecumenical Studies, and Journal of Public Management & Social Policy. Her work has been featured in various outlets online: Online Wall Street Journal, Lifestyle Entrepreneur, and CSPAN BOOKTV. Her historical memoir, The Liberator's Daughter, was named a Finalist in the 2017 national Indie book competition.

CLICK to see Deborah 10 cutting-edge BOOKS & RESOURCES .

Deborah is currently a contributor to The Huffington Post. and is the founder of the American Diversity Report. Click to see Deborah's American Diversity report articles

EDUCATION

• MA: Urban Planning & Policy. University of Illinois at Chicago, 1993.

• BS: Cultural Anthropology. New York University, 1971. (coursework at Harvard University & Harvard Divinity School.)

• Research Fellowship: William Andrews Clark Library. UCLA, 1982.

AWARDS & HONORS

In addition to the awards received for her writing, Deborah has been recognized by the TN Economic Task Force on Women, American Planning Association/Chicago, and diversitybusiness.com. She was recruited to join the TN Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition and the Diversity Advisory Task Force of Volkswagen Chattanooga.