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Debra Underwood

Debra Underwood

Berkeley, California

Debra believes that each of us possess the resources we need to transform ourselves, our organizations, and our societies to be more sustainable and joyful. She coaches leaders to act from their deepest wisdom so that, individual by individual, team by team, and organization by organization, we shift what’s possible.

Debra starting her professional career working as head of HR for the non-profit AIESEC-US, an organization committed to intercultural awareness through a global internship program and the development of young people.  She then built a career in finance, working in technology investment banking and real estate, before finding a home back in the world of people and leadership development. In 2012 she founded the executive and team coaching firm Vox Verum and became the team performance coaching partner to UC Berkeley Organizational Behavior faculty.  Debra leverages research in adult development, complexity, and systemic thinking to support individuals and teams to look deeply at what is true. She supports clients in facing their present situations with curiosity and courage instead of fear and blame – allowing them to discover insights and confidence, shift stuck patterns, and see clearer paths forward.

Debra has a Professional Coaching Certification from New Ventures West, is certified as an Aletheia Coach, Growth Edge Coach, Immunity to Change Facilitator, Leadership Circle assessor, and holds an EMCC Team Coaching accreditation and a Systemic Coaching & Constellations Foundational accreditation. She earned a BS from Louisiana State University and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Debra is a native New Orleanian living in Berkeley, CA with her husband and two sons.  She keeps moving through a love of tennis, skiing, yoga and pottering about in her garden. Debra loves spontaneity, adventure, and shared laughter among friends.