Partner

From working in business development for established brands and industries, to launching her own brands in the health and fitness industry, Debra has seen opportunities to grow businesses for her 20 year career. Debra is a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for the fitness and wellness industry, disrupting markets, uncovering niche opportunities, developing sustainable, high-growth businesses, and establishing high-impact brand and marketing strategies.

Debra founded and served as the CEO of Row House, delivering a unique opportunity that cut through the cluttered fitness landscape. Under her guidance, Row House experienced 390% growth and a 1066 ranking on the INC.com 5000 list. Through a strategic partnership with Xponential Fitness, she scaled the Row House brand from one studio to 300 – all within six years - and continue to acts as an advisor to the company.

Currently through Fitizens Holdings, Debra provides guidance to early stage growth companies within the Health, Wellness, and Fitness sector. Her work includes determining the best ways to reach target customers, lift the value proposition, and create sustainable businesses through focused client acquisition and retention initiatives. Having grown her own business from inception, Debra understands profitability, investor relations, strategic partnerships, and the franchise market intrinsically. She has also gotten deeply involved in corporate wellness initiatives recently connecting corporations to fitness offerings.

Previously, and with a deep fitness background, Debra has powered several ground-breaking fitness and wellness initiatives and become a vocal advocate for the fitness industry (She has been appointed to IHRSA's NHFA Council as one of 11 to lead the industry through drastic change from COVID). Her career outside the fitness industry has focused on business development. She contributed for 5 groundbreaking years at NYC’s Official Tourism Arm - one of the most fulfilling career experiences she has had, and one that continues to contribute to all other projects she is involved in.

Debra is also a managing partner of Levitate Group.

Learn more and Connect with Debra on Linked In.