Debbie Phillips: Getting women fired up
If Debbie Phillips does her job, the Edgartown Fire Department should be on high alert Tuesday evening, May 19, when she takes the podium to ignite what is projected to be a large and receptive gathering of Martha's Vineyard Women's Network (MVWN) members and guests.
Debbie Phillips
Ms. Philips, a pioneer in executive and life coaching, has been called a "nurturer of sparks," "life-altering," and a "Merlin in pearls," among other accolades. She will be the guest speaker at the MVWN's final meeting of the season, scheduled for 7 pm at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
Jan Pogue, co-chair of the MVWN programming committee, proposed Ms. Phillips as the guest speaker for the season's final meeting. "I'd heard about her work and thought she sounded terrific. She's touched a lot of women's lives and is an expert at bringing women together to create transformative experiences."
Author of the newly published "Women on Fire: 20 Inspiring Women Share Their Life Stories (and Save You Years of Struggle!)," Ms. Phillips is also the founder of the national and soon-to-be international membership organization Women on Fire. It is an extension of the approach she's developed to help women achieve their goals through what she calls "inspiration, strategies and support." Women across the U.S. have been introduced to Women on Fire through Ms. Phillips's signature tea parties, coaching groups, and retreats held in many locations, including Boston, New York, and Los Angeles.
Trained as a journalist, Ms. Philips came to executive and life coaching after stints as a reporter; deputy press secretary to former U.S. Senator John Glenn during his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination; press secretary to former Ohio Governor Richard F. Celeste; and as a television production company executive. In 1995 she created her practice, becoming one of the first wave of trained coaches in the world.
"I felt that each job moved me toward something else," she explained. "The common thread was helping people become their very best." In addition to Women on Fire, Ms. Philips is the co-creator of Vision Day, a strategic planning day offered across the country that enables people to, as she puts it, "live the lives they've dreamed of."
Today, Ms. Phillips and her husband and collaborator Rob Berkley divide their time between homes in West Tisbury and Naples, Fla. A native of a small town in Ohio, her own rise from a reporter to a successful entrepreneur is filled with what she calls "twists and turns," including the traumatic loss of two influential women in her life and a divorce.
At the May 19th MVWN meeting, Ms. Phillips will impart "Seven Secrets to Being on Fire" during her presentation. She promises to share key aspects of her own career path and inspirational stories of some of the hundreds of other women she's worked with who have overcome both professional and personal adversity. She will also provide what she considers time-tested advice on how to take the next step toward recognizing and achieving individual goals.
"I'm amazed what women can discover in one encounter," Ms. Phillips said. "I always try to give them something tangible they can take away, something they can practice tomorrow. The energy and support they get from the other women in the room helps them believe they can transform their lives - one step at a time."
Although she no longer takes on individual clients, she says her organization provides a way for women to connect with one another so they can share what they're "on fire about." The 20 women in her new book were selected because they all faced exceedingly difficult obstacles in their quest for fulfillment and overcame them.
Testimonials
Laurie Forster, a logistics expert, spent years as a supply chain management professional. Exhausted from constant business travel, she realized she was missing something. "I heard about Debbie through a friend at Hewlett-Packard who had helped her. When I began working with Debbie she asked, 'What are your values?' I was completely stunned. It was so different than the male-dominated "get it done" culture I had grown used to. She was so supportive and so kind, I was skeptical."
With guidance from Ms. Phillips, however, Ms. Forster quickly identified her passions for helping people and for wine and fine dining. Within a year she quit her job and moved to Manhattan to pursue a "double major," training as a sommelier and as a life coach. Today she lives in a charming Tidewater town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, hosts a weekly radio show, is the author of a book, "The Sipping Point" (a crash course on wine), and creates team-building events for corporations, using wine-tastings for forging stronger bonds among co-workers.
"I would call Debbie an angel but that would sound kind of silly," she said. "She's the most caring, supportive person - comfortable talking about her feelings and expert at creating a safe environment for others to do the same. She helped me clarify what was important to me and how to get there."
Regina Weichert, a former Vineyard resident who recently returned to her native New York, overcame bulimia, the death of a brother, her own chronic illness, and crippling self-esteem to create a performance art character called "The Queen of Self-Esteem." In her chapter of the book, Ms. Weichert chronicles her painful but ultimately triumphant journey and credits Ms. Phillips for inspiration: "Debbie's impact is more than I can put into words. She taught me about the power of intention - about thinking 'How do I want this to go?' before any situation I might enter. I found this to be very powerful and use if often in my life today."
In 2001, Island Realtor Jacqueline Ann Pimentel decided to escape the Vineyard's winter doldrums and moved to a Boston pied-a-terre. Turning 50, she had always regretted dropping out of college. Despite her business success, she longed for the validation she ascribed to a college degree. With Ms. Phillips' coaching, Ms. Pimentel earned a degree in art history from Harvard, finishing fifth in her class. She explained: "Debbie is just an extraordinary woman. Her light makes you shine. She has dedicated herself to improving the lives of other people with grace and expertise."
Members and non-members, including men, are invited to MVWN's May 19 meeting. The network was founded in 2007, has grown from a group of four women to over 80 members, offers continuing business education programs, and the opportunity to connect with other business owners. Members who attend the upcoming meeting will receive a free, signed copy of "Women on Fire."
Karla Araujo is a frequent contributor to The Martha's Vineyard Times.
Martha's Vineyard Women's Network Year-End Program, 7-9 pm, Tuesday, May 19, Old Whaling Church, Edgartown. $30 walk-in; $25 non-member in advance; $15 members. mvwomensnetwork.org; debbiephillips.com.
