Debra Livingston, Co-Founder & President, ReEmployAbiity

In our chaotic world, an insightful conversation with a normal girl was refreshing. Meet Debra Livingston, daughter, wife, mother, and successful business owner. We settled in to chat at our local watering hole, over Martini’s and wine.

Born into a closely knit Italian family, Debbie grew up in New York, where her family owned a pizzeria. Her middle class household was defined by a strong bond of love and togetherness. At an impressionable age, she moved to Florida with her family, graduated from Florida State, and worked in the retail world. After college, Debbie wanted an “office” job, and found an opportunity in the insurance world, even though she was the second choice for the job. There, she excelled because of her strong work ethic. Over time she got married, started her own company, and the rest is history. Her Company, ReEmpolyAbility, “is the nation’s largest provider of early return-to-work services and transitional employment programs”.

In a world where trust is fleeting, where people trumpet their success, where “I” comes before “them,” I was struck by how grounded Debbie is as a person, and how solid she is as a human being. Maybe It’s her strong faith — because everything she does is about family. She attributes the success of her business partnership to the fact she and her partner (Frances) are both women, and that they are “steady” in their professional relationship, with a complementary set of skills. I looked at her skeptically, but she reassured me about the gender equation.

Her success has afforded her the freedom to manage her time, and to come and go as she pleases. Don’t let that fool you. Debbie is a focused, driven, workaholic. One more example of hard work, paying rich dividends. I was touched that Debbie does not see it as ‘her’ success. “Its ‘our’ success”, she said emphatically, giving much deserved credit to her husband, Phil, who has been her rock, through thick and thin. She was clearly moved as she spoke about his role in their collective success. There would probably have not been a business without him.

Debbie’s success is defined by her spiritual orientation. She believes that she controls her own destiny and takes particular pleasure in watching her people grow. I know there are those who are envious of her success, but that goes with the territory. I was struck by how humble and down to earth she is, in spite of her success. I dug deep to find some “dirt,” or some “trouble” in her past. She smiled, looked me in the eye, and said, “I am just a normal girl!”

Recently she lost a dear friend, Tracey, and spoke about the impact of that loss with visible emotion. I know all about loss, unfortunately. It changes us forever. I know that her friend’s passing affected her deeply. Debbie wants to help others, watch them grow, celebrate their success. What a wonderful, refreshing mindset she has. I wish more people were like that.

Even though I have known Debbie for over a decade (her children went to my Montessori), our conversation helped crystalize why I have been so fond of her over the years. I have a sense I haven’t seen the last of her. We can all find place for a “normal” girl in our lives.

Insights: 10 Questions

1. What drives you?
   The success of others, and my family
   
2. If you had to go to the moon and take a single piece of music with you what would you take and why?
   Andrea Bocelli
   
3. If you were a cocktail, how would you describe yourself? What kind would you be and why?
   (With a naughty smile) – Smooth, with a Kick!
   
4. Who in the world would you most like to sit down and have a drink with (living or dead) and why?
   President Ronald Reagan
   
5. If you had a single piece of advice to give to young people, what would it be?
   Be Respectful
   
6. Who’s career do you envy and why?
   My friend Tracey – for holding up others
   
7. When you were 16 years old what did you most often get in trouble for?
   (Also with a naughty smile) BOYS
8. If there were one word to describe your family life growing up as a child, what would it be?
   LOVE.
9. What is the most important thing you remember about your first love?
   That he wasn’t my first love
   
10. What would you like your legacy to be?
    Remember me for making them feel important. It’s about them. Not me..