Deborah Hopkins

Professional Background

Debby Hopkins is renowned in the corporate world as an Independent Board Member and advisor to early-stage companies, blending her extensive C-suite experience in finance, technology, and innovation. Her multifaceted career across various industries uniquely positions her to assist management teams in their growth pursuits. Currently, Debby holds prestigious board memberships at Union Pacific, Marsh & McLennan, Virtusa, and the privately held Deep Instinct. Her commitment to community service is exemplified by her recent role as Treasurer at St. John’s Health Foundation, and she currently serves as Trustee and Vice-Chair at St. John’s Health.

With a dynamic background that includes founding and leading Citi Ventures in Silicon Valley, Debby has established herself as a visionary leader. As Citi’s first Chief Innovation Officer from 2008 until 2016, she spearheaded initiatives to tackle the digital disruption affecting the financial services landscape. Specifically, she introduced a systematic approach that encompassed a comprehensive venture investing program, an international network of labs, and a growth operating system dubbed D10X, fostering innovation across the enterprise.

Debby began her illustrious career at Citi in 2003 when she assumed the roles of Head of Corporate Strategy and M&A, later serving as Chief Operations & Technology Officer from 2003 to 2005. A senior advisor to Citi’s Investment Bank, her efforts earned the bank notable IPOs for companies such as VMware, Palo Alto Networks, Arista, and Qliktech. Debby retired from Citi in December 2016 after an impactful tenure.

Before her remarkable achievements at Citi, Debby held significant roles in major corporations, including Chief Financial Officer at The Boeing Company and Lucent Technologies, as well as General Auditor at General Motors. Her international experience is further highlighted by her position as VP of Finance at GM Europe in Zurich and her tenure as Corporate Controller at Unisys.

Education and Achievements

Debby Hopkins has a strong educational foundation, having studied at Michigan State University and obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Walsh College. Recognizing her impressive contributions to business and finance, both Walsh College and Westminster College (MO) awarded her honorary doctorate degrees, in 2013 and subsequently respectively.

Throughout her career, Debby has received numerous accolades. She was listed among Fortune's Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Business on two occasions and consistently featured on Institutional Investor’s Top 50 list every year from 2011 until her retirement. These honors underscore her influence and leadership in the finance and technology sectors.

Involvement and Organizations

Debby’s extensive board involvement demonstrates her commitment to various industries and causes. Her previous leadership roles include serving on the Boards of DuPont, Dendrite, and Qlik Technologies, showcasing her diverse expertise in corporate governance. Formerly, Debby was also a Trustee at Silicon Couloir and held several advisory and board positions, including with Riverwood Capital and Citizen Schools.

Furthermore, Debby has engaged with academia, serving as an Executive Fellow at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, where she influenced the next generation of business leaders. At Double Chase Advisors, she provided executive guidance to startups, enhancing her breadth of impact in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Additionally, Debby’s commitment to health and well-being within her community is demonstrated by her roles at St. John's Health Foundation, where she not only served as a Treasurer but currently acts as a Trustee and Vice-Chair, contributing to the improvement of healthcare services in the region. Through her various commitments, she has showcased her ability to blend corporate leadership with meaningful community engagement, representing a role model for future leaders in both business and social responsibility.

Personal Life

Residing year-round in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Debby shares her life with her husband David and their Yorkshire Terrier, Nigel. This aspect of her life reflects her balance between a demanding professional career and a fulfilling personal life, enriching her leadership perspective with valuable experiences derived from both worlds.