YOUR TRUSTED LEADERSHIP PARTNER

About Us

We have the experience, strategies and ideas to get you into action.

about us

Meet Your Lead Coach

Deb
Degner

PCC

Before starting her company, Deborah “Deb” Degner spent over twenty years as a specialist in communications and stakeholder relations in the public and private sectors. She has held numerous leadership roles in multiple industries. Deb was a Team Lead at EnCana Oil & Gas in Dallas and served as a lead lobbyist for Noble Energy in Pennsylvania. She began her career in Washington, D.C., and worked for several federal and state elected officials.

She started her company, The Leadership Bridge, in 2016 and specializes in individual coaching and customized group leadership programs. Her focus areas are team dynamics, hard conversations, and conflict management. As a certified professional coach, she works with various clients, including executives, managers, trade associations, academic leaders, business owners, and emerging leaders.

Deb creates unique, energizing, and engaging training experiences. She values connection, fun, and wisdom and manages all aspects of her business with this approach. Deb completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and received a master’s degree in Human Dimensions of Organizations at UT in December 2024. Her capstone research project focused on strategies to sustain leadership skills. She lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Dennis, and their Goldendoodle, Gus. Their daughter, Madeline, is a Pre-K teacher in Fort Worth.

Accreditations

The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science &
Master of Arts - Human Dimensions of Organizations

Professional Certified Coach - International Coach Federation
Emotional Intelligence - EQi 2.0 Assessment
Everything DiSC® Authorized Partner
Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team® Accredited Facilitator
ACE Certified Coach
Certified Professional Coach - Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching™ (IPEC)
Conversational Intelligence® Enhanced Skills Practitioner
Certified Corporate and Leadership Coach – Get REAL Leadership Program
Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner™
COR.E Leadership Dynamics Specialist™
Korn Ferry 360®
Brain Science Advantage for Coaches

Certified Professional Coach - the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC)
Energy Leadership Award – Pittsburgh Business Times
Carnegie Mellon University Leadership and Negotiation Academy for Women
EnCana Leadership Training – Banff Learning Center
PEAK Leadership Program at EnCana
Leadership Wyoming
US WEST Public Policy President’s Club

Coaching Partners

Wendy VanBesien

Wendy VanBesien is an executive coach, leadership facilitator, and organizational development consultant with broad experience working with Fortune 100 companies, professional associations, and senior leadership teams. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and certifications in Hogan Assessments, EQ-i Emotional Intelligence, DiSC, and iPEC coaching. Wendy’s background in business and leadership development helps leaders improve communication, collaboration, organizational alignment, and team performance.

Before starting her own leadership advisory practice, Wendy held leadership and marketing roles at Johnson & Johnson, where she led strategic planning and major product launches, including the RoC skincare line. She also worked in consulting with Cresap, a Towers Perrin company, and completed Ford Motor Company’s management training program. Wendy specializes in executive coaching, leadership transitions, team effectiveness, organizational change, and high-impact facilitation for professional and technical audiences. She is known for her thoughtful, strategic, and engaging approach, helping leaders turn insight into practical, lasting results.

OUR MISSION

To Empower Business Leaders
to Reach Their Full Potential

We Are Experienced

The Leadership Bridge® works with executives, managers, and academic and emerging leaders to develop their leadership skills and help them reach their full potential. Deb’s client retention rate reflects client satisfaction and her commitment to delivering impactful, sustainable leadership growth. Client feedback has shared that her ability to deliver energetic, engaging programs allows individuals to practice their skills and enjoy an interactive and fun learning environment.

Prior to her executive coaching career, Deb spent more than twenty years as a business leader in the public and private sectors. She spent ten years leading public and government relations initiatives and teams in the oil and gas industry. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous community and industry boards and has enjoyed leadership roles in various capacities.

Deb’s diverse work background allows her to serve a broad list of clients. She worked in the telecommunications industry and worked for several federal and state elected officials in multiple states and in Washington, D.C. She has experience in sales and marketing for private and non-profit organizations. Her knowledge and experience managing productive teams and setting and achieving goals allow her to connect, relate and understand the demanding jobs and responsibilities of her clients.

We Are Strategic

Big picture thinking and being able to lead others strategically is critical for leaders. Deb has years of experience developing and implementing successful strategic plans and projects. She has built diverse, collaborative initiatives and teams to work toward common goals. From successful community college programs to legislative and regulatory initiatives, she knows how to create and find the right synergies between stakeholders, companies and organizations. Thinking creatively about new approaches to old challenges is her preferred way of tackling any task. Using her expertise as a strategic leader benefits clients and partners interested in developing strategic approaches to their careers and everyday work.

We Are Driven

One of Deb’s signature strengths for business success is her enthusiastic approach which fuels her determination and drive. She is highly motivated by challenges and will work tirelessly to help clients reach their goals. Deb’s energetic focus and presence allow her to create a dynamic and supportive connection with clients. Keeping the momentum going, motivating others, and remaining focused on the end goal are qualities she brings to every team and client working with The Leadership Bridge.

Our Values

  • TRUST
    We are honest and committed to earning and maintaining trust. We honor confidentiality and epitomize trustworthy behavior.
  • FUN
    We honor the importance of having fun at work and in life. We choose optimism over cynicism and are committed to being beacons of positive energy.
  • RESPECT
    Our actions and words reflect respect for all partners. Diverse backgrounds and perspectives make us better.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY
    We empower clients to create and own their own results.
    We hold ourselves accountable to exceptional services and expect the same of all our partners.

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