Rev. Debora Jackson
Debora Jackson brings 20 years of advanced technology development, organizational management and spiritual grounding as an associate of Executive Soul.
As a technologist, Debora was the CIO and COO of SmartEnergy, Inc., an Energy Services Provider, where she led the implementation, deployment and management of a Customer Information and Billing System that supported over 125,000 customers. Debora was also Managing Director for Avicon, a supply chain consulting company, where she developed the consulting engagement methodology. She was Regional Director of Professional Services for Sherpa Corporation and responsible for growing the region's revenues by 73%. Additionally, Debora was Director of Delivery at Sapient Corporation where she led the development of a managed health care system that saved the State of Maine $7,000,000 in the first two years of operation.
Given her experience in organizational management, Debora founded The Renewal Group, a consultancy focused on revitalizing organizations after downsizing and maximizing employee engagement. Through this organization, Debora authored the article “Seven Strategies for Revitalization after Downsizing” and provided independent consulting services to organizations facing restructuring, designing and implementing strategies to foster growth within the organization.
Debora is also a spiritual leader. She is an ordained member of the clergy and Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Needham, the 20th pastor of this 150-year-old congregation, the first African American and first woman to be so called. Debora is a powerful preacher who recognizes the need for church growth, renewal and revitalization. Since her pastorate began in 2004, church attendance has nearly doubled; new programs have been launched in the congregation and efforts to provide outreach to the community have been reestablished.
Debora holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School, and a Master of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Engineering Management from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business from Indiana University. She resides in Newton, MA with her husband and their son.