Debra supports business and revenue growth by helping leaders focus on the invisible wins that create visible results. Her expertise lies in identifying the blind-spot patterns that keep CEOs and teams frustrated, anxious, and limited in their ability to grow quickly. She gives leaders practical tools to recognize these patterns and step into a new path—one that requires becoming the leader their next level of success demands. This evergreen transformation drives stronger revenue and more empowered teams. Debra sees the invisible waste that quietly drains performance—like meetings that go nowhere or leaders taking on responsibilities that belong to others due to lack of trust. These patterns keep them stuck both at the helm and in the weeds. Her work addresses the deeper layer of leadership development by coaching both the CEO and the team.
Debra is a leadership strategist and executive coach who helps CEOs, business owners, and their teams create a clear, compelling vision and bring it to life. With decades of C-level executive and team coaching experience, she challenges leaders to build collaborative, vibrant, accountable, and joy-filled cultures that drive meaningful and measurable results. Her work spans diverse industries, including hi-tech, wealth management, engineering, healthcare, marketing, professional services, and more.
She specializes in awakening leaders to identify and transform upper-limiting beliefs, sabotaging behaviors, and unconscious biases that restrict performance. Debra guides leaders through the courageous work of shifting from reactive patterns to intentional leadership—moving from control to collaboration, from drama to shared accountability, and from short-term pressure to long-term excellence. By helping leaders stay “above the line” and in their lane, she equips them with the mindset and skills needed to foster trust, ownership, and sustainable growth.
Debra’s clients include Vistage, RMB Capital, UBS, Highland Solutions, Gamma Partners, Brindley Engineering, Esser Hayes Insurance, Mars, Inc., SESAC, PNC Bank, Nashville Public Radio, and the Nashville Lawyers’ Association for Women. She holds an Inner MBA from New York University, a degree in Psychology from Miami University, and certifications in the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, the Integrative9 Enneagram, Corporate Goal Coaching, and CTI Co-Active Training. Her work has been featured on national and local Fox, ABC, and NBC News, as well as in Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and other business publications. Based in Nashville and Chicago, Debra partners with leaders ready to create the unseen internal wins that make visible success inevitable.
TESTIMONIALS
Debra Sunderland’s presentation on ‘Conscious Leadership’ to The Predictable Profits Board of Directors was exceptional. Her engaging and thought-provoking approach sparked a dynamic conversation among our members, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The 9.57 NPS rating speaks volumes about Debra’s impact, leaving us with valuable insights and a unique perspective on leadership.
Charles Gaudet, CEO of Predictable Profits
I was not sure what to expect from our management retreat with Debra, but every member of our senior team was blown away and left eager to continue working with her. She swiftly identified long-standing issues and perceptions that prevented us from working together as an effective team. Using empathy and understanding she gave us several tools we could use to reduce conflict. We’re grateful to have discovered someone who can accompany us on the path to becoming more conscious leaders and in the process, reduce the stress and strain that is a byproduct of managing and living an unconscious life.
Rob Gordon | CEO & President at Nashville Public Radio | Nashville, TN
Debra is a phenomenal presenter. She can take you out of your comfort zone – but in a manner that makes you genuinely examine the “set-in-your-ways” thinking. And that’s how you grow. I found myself really exploring some inner dialogue that was holding me back from exploring my full potential and look forward to continuing that journey. She is engaging, inspirational, and effective.
Carole Schaeffer | President at Schaeffer Consulting, LLC | Madison, WI
IFMA Nashville recently had Debra Sunderland with Sunderland Coaching speak to our members and guest about “How to Accomplish More with Less Stress”.
Her energy and high enthusiasm added a welcomed change to our membership meetings. The presentation was engaging, insightful, and added valuable tools that our audience could use daily. Debra and her team were very professional and easy to work with in the booking process. We look forward to having her back! You will not be disappointed in hiring Debra for your next event.
Audrey Edwards | Business Development Executive at SERVPRO | Nashville, TN
Debra was an outstanding speaker for our bi-annual women’s symposium for women lawyers. She offered tangible strategies for managing stress and elevating our leadership skills.
Attendees found her to be thought-provoking and inspirational.
Laura Baker | Attorney & Shareholder at The Law Office of John Day, P.C. | Brentwood, TN
Conscious leadership is something we all need as leaders. Debra came to speak to my Leadership class at Vanderbilt University. My students hungered for her conscious leadership work. They departed seeing that sometimes their closely held perspectives or beliefs were causing them to be anxious or have inner conflict so common in students today. After we met they saw that the answer to their conflicts were already inside of them –and they could only see this by noticing their hidden barriers and choosing a new thought and belief that brought a new result.
Choosing to “lead above the line” is what Debra’s work is all about. Gen Z hunger to be engaged in authentic discussions of what it means to be a leader today. Debra knows how to do it! Need a speaker or workshop? Give Debra a call!
Barbara Bell | Professor of Leadership at Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN
