From the Dallas Cowboys to the National Wildlife Federation: Debbie Ross Mitchell on Purpose-Driven Work and Building Cultures That Last
“This may sound funny coming from someone who has lots of very expensive education, but I would start or encourage a movement to stop judging people based on their education. We shouldn’t equate degrees or institutions with value, worth, or capability. Instead, we should evaluate people based on their passion and their gifts, their strengths.”
I had the pleasure of speaking with Debbie Ross Mitchell. Debbie is a veteran human resources executive and leadership coach whose two-decade career has spanned industries as varied as professional sports, healthcare, hospitality, and nonprofit organizations. With degrees from both Stanford University and Northwestern University, Mitchell has built a portfolio of senior HR roles at high-profile institutions including the Dallas Cowboys, the American Red Cross, and a Dallas-area medical technology startup. Her work has consistently focused on employee development, organizational transformation, and cultivating workplace cultures that prioritize purpose and well-being.
Mitchell grew up in Denver, Colorado, an only child of two military veteran parents whose influence continues to shape her professional ethos. Her father worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and often brought home stories about corporate life, HR issues, and the dynamics of the modern workplace. Her mother, a banker who graduated high school at 16, provided a contrasting example of intellect and quiet observation. That mix of outgoing people skills and introspective analysis would come to define Mitchell’s own approach to leadership and organizational strategy.
Mitchell’s interest in human resources began early, sparked by family conversations around the dinner table and solidified through college internships. While attending Stanford, she was drawn to the ways in which organizations function through people, what she describes as the “levers of people in business.” Her professional path has remained aligned with that interest ever since, emphasizing human connection as a critical driver of organizational performance.
Her career includes several standout moments that span both the high-profile and the deeply personal. While working with the Dallas Cowboys, Mitchell had the opportunity to visit the White House following a Super Bowl victory, an experience she cites as both surreal and formative. She has also played key roles during corporate mergers and acquisitions, gaining firsthand experience in the complexities of organizational change. These moments, she notes, often occur far from the public eye but are rich in learning, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking under pressure.
Alongside her corporate work, Mitchell founded Recent Grad Launch Pad, a coaching and consulting initiative designed to help early-career professionals discover meaningful work. The platform encourages young adults to seek alignment between their personal strengths and long-term goals, offering an alternative to more traditional definitions of career success. Her coaching philosophy leans on the idea that professional fulfillment comes from working in one’s “giftedness” rather than chasing status or salary.
Throughout her career, Mitchell has maintained a strong commitment to community service and nonprofit work. She currently serves as the Senior Director of People Operations at the National Wildlife Federation, one of the United States’ largest conservation organizations. In this role, she supports the internal infrastructure and employee experience of a mission-driven nonprofit focused on wildlife protection and environmental preservation. While she describes herself as more of an indoors-oriented person, she expresses deep respect for the Federation’s efforts to safeguard natural spaces for future generations. Her work focuses on ensuring that the organization’s staff are equipped, supported, and empowered to advance its broader mission.
Mitchell brings a long-view perspective to her work, informed by her own experiences and by a growing concern for generational sustainability. As a parent to a young adult daughter, she reflects often on the kind of world today’s decisions are shaping for the next generation. She draws optimism from history, faith, and what she calls the “wild resilience” of human communities. Even in the face of political and economic uncertainty, she believes in the enduring strength of collective action and shared purpose.
Among the personal principles that guide her work, Mitchell emphasizes the importance of assuming positive intent, especially in a digital age where communication often lacks nuance. She also advocates for rest and balance, pointing out that overwork can blind people to opportunity. Other lessons she shares include the value of listening over speaking, the power of humility, and the importance of recognizing and honoring others’ contributions.
Despite her professional accomplishments, Mitchell is cautious about the way society assigns value. If given a platform to influence systemic change, she says she would start with decoupling a person’s worth from their educational background. In her view, degrees and institutions offer only a partial picture of someone’s capabilities. She champions a more inclusive view of talent, one that centers on intrinsic gifts, lived experiences, and passion.
Mitchell’s perspective is shaped as much by her personal journey as by her professional one. She frequently references her parents’ work ethic, her daughter’s future, and her own evolution from curious intern to seasoned executive. Motherhood, she says, remains the most meaningful experience of her life, grounding her in both humility and hope.
As she looks ahead, Mitchell remains focused on building spaces, organizational and otherwise, where people are seen, supported, and given the tools to thrive. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or community meetings, her work continues to reflect a belief that the most lasting change begins with people and how they treat one another.
Yitzi: Debbie Mitchell, it’s so nice to meet you. Before we dive in deeper, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Debbie: Sure. Gosh, it seems like such a long time ago when you ask that question. Dust off the cobwebs. When I think back on my origin story and how I grew up, I was an only child, raised by two parents who were both military veterans. I grew up in Denver, Colorado. I’d say it was kind of a remarkably unremarkable life. We had two dogs, we moved to the suburbs, and I was really close to my parents. Being an only child, one of the things I think back on is always wanting a twin. I used to ask my parents if I could get one, because I didn’t quite understand how that worked.
I always had a love of people, connection, companionship, friendship. I grew up, went to school, all in the Denver area. I was really motivated by my parents. They both worked really hard to provide the life we had, and that’s one of my lasting memories: that almost anything is possible, but you’re going to have to work for it.
When I think back on my parents, God bless them, they’re both deceased now, my dad was the really outgoing one. He never met a stranger and could make a friend anywhere. He was the guy who would walk into a restaurant, charm everyone, and next thing you know, we’d have free desserts and extra this and that. That was my dad.
My mom was, I think, the brains of the operation. Really smart, graduated from high school at 16, went to college, went into the military. She was more of an introvert, but she studied people in her own quiet way. I think the balance of the two of them really shaped who I grew up to be.
Yitzi: Can you tell us the next chapter? What’s the story behind what led you to this successful career path?
Debbie: Yeah. My dad worked for the government, for the Department of Labor. Our dinnertime conversations were often about both of my parents’ jobs, but especially his. He worked with a lot of HR departments and corporate organizations. He’d tell stories about the people he met and the work they did, it was all about people, and it just sounded really interesting.
My mom was a banker. No offense to bankers, but either her storytelling skills weren’t that great or her work just didn’t sound as interesting to me. I found myself gravitating toward the kind of work my dad was describing. In college, I ended up getting internships in HR departments. I did some other things too, but I always appreciated the levers of people in business, what you could or couldn’t accomplish through human beings.
I’m kind of a talker. I enjoy conversations and connection, so it really worked for me. That’s how I got into HR, literally, from dinnertime conversations. Hearing my mom talk about the challenges she faced managing employees was also fascinating.
I went to college at Stanford University out in California, which was amazing. Again, that sense of connection, hearing from other people’s parents, professors, it all just led me down the path of understanding organizations and how you accomplish things by bringing people together.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from different parts of your successful career. Can you share with our readers one or two stories that most stand out in your mind?
Debbie: Ooh, let’s see. I’ve got some interesting ones because I’ve worked in professional sports and in casinos. Some of those stories, well, we may not tell. They’re very interesting, but I hold those close.
When I think back on some of the opportunities I’ve had, one that really stands out is something I never would have imagined growing up. If you had told me that, through work, I’d have the chance to meet a President of the United States, I would’ve said you were crazy. Not ever happening. Nice dream, though. But it did happen. Being part of the Cowboys organization and going to the White House after Super Bowl victories, that was a really unique experience.
I’ve also been part of mergers and acquisitions, where the companies I worked for either acquired others or we were acquired. What fascinates me about those situations is the growth trajectory. You can be doing the same thing day in and day out, and then suddenly, you’re in the middle of a major transaction, learning things they don’t teach you in school. You’re sitting in rooms with CEOs and leaders, hearing the kinds of conversations that shape companies. I would’ve never imagined that would be me.
I’ve had great bosses and amazing experiences. One that comes to mind is a founder and CEO I worked for who loved to ski. His passion was skiing, and he took our entire management team to Vail as a thank you, just because he wanted to ski with his friends. I remember thinking, “People do this? Founders do this?”
Throughout my career, I feel like I’ve had these little glimpses into what’s possible. For other people, different parts of my story might stand out, but those are the moments that have really stuck with me.
Yitzi: You have so much impressive work, Debbie. Can you share with our readers exciting projects you’re focusing on now?
Debbie: Sure. Right now, I work for a nonprofit, and in this moment we’re living in, it’s fascinating to see how decisions and policies impact everyday workers. A lot of what I’m involved in is focused on employee wellbeing, corporate culture, and how we can make real improvements. How do you stand firm and proud in the work you do, even when the winds around you are shifting?
Without giving away too much, I’ll just say we’re facing some big challenges on numerous fronts, some internal and many external. But what keeps me going is seeing the resilience of people. Sea changes, whether economic, political, or cultural, have real impacts on business, on prices, on people’s life decisions. Do I stay in this organization? Do I leave? Is my job safe? That kind of uncertainty used to feel rare, but now it feels common.
It feels especially tough for young people. I see early career professionals in the workforce with aspirations for leadership, and they face real challenges — building skills, gaining confidence, and finding community in a remote work world. This is the space I’m drawn to. I’m committed to making an impact.
Some of it’s tough, but I’m passionate about this work. It’s where I feel I add real value, not just at the organizational level, but person to person as well.
Yitzi: We’re going through a rough time now. What makes you optimistic about the next 10 years?
Debbie: What makes me optimistic about the next 10 years? First, my faith. And second, even with how uncertain things feel right now, communities, nations, and people have been through a lot throughout history. When we tap into the human spirit, it’s incredibly resilient. That gives me hope.
I really believe in the strength of community and in partnerships across all sectors, faith-based, secular, business, government. I think we forget how much we rely on one another until we hit moments like this. And then we remember, oh yeah, we can do this. I can link arms with you. That gives me optimism.
I have a young adult daughter, and there have been moments where I’ve asked myself, what kind of world are we handing her? But then I think about when I was growing up, around the time I was born. There was chaos then too, assassinations of some of our most amazing leaders like Kennedy and MLK. That happened before I was born, to be clear, but not that long before. And I think about my parents and how they must have asked themselves, “How are we going to bring a child into this craziness?” Yet here we are.
So my optimism comes from knowing we’re going to get through this. When we do, we might be bumped, bruised, a little bedraggled and dirty, but the resilience and strength that emerge on the other side, and the lessons we learn, they’re powerful.
Humans are a wild bunch. But there will still be babies. There will still be weddings. There will still be trees and sunshine and atmospheric rivers, all of it.
Yitzi: Can you describe how you and the National Wildlife Federation are helping to make an important social impact?
Debbie: Sure. The organization I’m part of is really special because our mission is to protect wildlife, to preserve natural spaces, the beauty of the planet, for all of us. It doesn’t matter what political party you belong to, what issues you care about most, your faith, or where you live. That’s what I love about where I work.
I’m just a small part of it. I’ll be honest, I’m not an outdoorsy girl, I’m an indoorsy person! But what I do helps support a larger mission of preserving a world where my future grandchildren and their children can have clean water and beautiful outdoor spaces. And that means a lot to me.
Yitzi: Can you share a few things that individuals, communities, and government can do to help address the root of the problem you’re trying to solve?
Debbie: Oh my gosh, those are big questions, definitely a bit over my head! But if I had a platform to say anything, I think I’d say this: as we make decisions, both big and small, we have to remember it’s not just about what’s best for me, it’s about what’s best for we.
The decisions we make today will have an impact far into the future. What kind of future do we want? We may not be here to see it, but we’re leaving something behind. What do we want to be known for?
Yitzi: Do you have a favorite life lesson quote, or idea that’s been meaningful in your life?
Debbie: I think one of the most powerful ideas I got from my mother was just this: don’t give up. Even when something feels impossible, giving up is what makes it impossible. If you stick with it, even if it’s messy or tough, you’ll come out on the other side.
That kind of stick-to-itiveness, just not letting those voices in your head win, the ones that say “quit,” “stop,” “this isn’t worth it”, she fought hard against those. And I think I got that from her. Just don’t give up.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success and you’ve been a successful leader in many different capacities. You must have learned a lot from your experiences. Can you share five things that you’ve learned now that you wish you knew when you first started?
Debbie: Ooh, I love this kind of question.
- I think the first one would be: assume positive intent. More than anything, that has really helped me, especially now that we’re in such a digital age. With texting, everything is two-dimensional, it’s not a real conversation. You can interpret two-dimensional words in any way you want, so I work really hard to assume positive intent. The person on the other side probably wasn’t trying to be harsh or belittling or catty or petty. Let’s assume they meant something good and look at it through that lens.
- Number two, I would say, have fun. Whatever it is, try to find some fun in it.
- Three, my dad used to tell me this: you’re best when you’re rested. It seems like a small thing, but you can work yourself so hard, be so tired, thinking you’re hustling or grinding for success. But if you’re not sleeping, you’re going to be too tired to enjoy it. You’ll be too tired to see what’s ahead of you. Just get some rest. You’re not going to miss anything.
- Don’t be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you’re in the wrong room.
- Listen more than you talk. Give others space to speak. If you can listen to really hear and understand, not just wait for your turn to talk, you’ll be amazed at what you can learn.
I was going to say something that made me laugh, the thing that popped into my head was something one of my friends always says. She always goes to casinos and says, “Always bet black.” Always. I don’t bet, I don’t want to put my money there, but in all seriousness, love and appreciation and gratitude for the people around you is one of the, if not the most, important skills and gifts you can leave behind. Like a legacy, you know? I’d rather be known as someone who was patient and kind, not necessarily as the CEO, than as someone who was cutthroat and harsh and had all the money in the world.
Yitzi: This is our final aspirational question. Debbie, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could put out an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Debbie: This may sound funny coming from someone who has lots of very expensive education, but I would start or encourage a movement to stop judging people based on their education. We shouldn’t equate degrees or institutions with value, worth, or capability. Instead, we should evaluate people based on their passion and their gifts, their strengths. I truly believe every person comes into the world with their own unique, God-given gifts. We often ignore them because they come naturally to us, and we don’t value what comes easy. I’d create a movement where that was the focus, giving people the space to work in their giftedness, not just in what makes the most money or sounds the best or lines up with their education.
Yitzi: That’s beautiful. So Debbie, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support you in any possible way?
Debbie: Yes, you can follow me on LinkedIn. I’m under Debbie Mitchell. I kind of stepped away from social media for a little while because the world felt like it was on fire, but I might be picking that back up again. For now, LinkedIn is the best place. I just want to focus less on opinion, though there are opinions everywhere, and more on that sense of connectedness between people.
Yitzi: I love your optimistic attitude. You’re very inspirational, and I wish you continued success, blessings, and good health.
Debbie: Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure to talk to you.And if you ever need anything, if I can help you in any way, personally or professionally, you have all my contact info. Seriously, just reach out. I would be delighted.
Yitzi: Thank you, I really appreciate it.
From the Dallas Cowboys to the National Wildlife Federation: Debbie Ross Mitchell on Purpose-Driven… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.