Thursday Thought Leaders - Debbie McKinley

Description

Debbie McKinley, Chief People Officer at Herschend Family Entertainment, leads people and culture strategy including the company?s signature GROW U program, which offers tuition-free education for employees. She brings over two decades of human resources leadership and a distinguished 20-year career as a U.S. Marine Corps officer.



About Debbie McKinley

Debbie grew up in western Virginia and attended the United States Naval Academy after her high school graduation. She was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May of 1994.

Debbie served on active duty with Marine Corps aviation squadrons, working with supply and maintenance teams to repair aircraft. She deployed to the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and the Middle East as part of Marine detachments aboard US Navy Ships, was the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-26 Aviation Supply Officer in Charge, and an Aide de Camp for a Marine Major General.

While on active duty, Debbie received her master?s in human resources development and public administration from Webster University in 1998.

She transitioned to the Reserves, serving in several roles including a senior leadership instructor, an Airshow Command Center Officer-In-Charge for various shows, and attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico Virginia. Debbie retired from the Reserves in 2014.

As a civilian, Debbie joined The Home Depot 2002. She was an assistant store manager, store manager, district manager, Regional Learning Manager, the Director of Talent Management, the Senior Director of HR (SDHR) for the Western Division and SDHR for U.S Operations. She completed her time at The Home Depot as the Vice President of HR for U.S Stores and International Operations supporting 2400 stores in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

In January of 2024 Debbie joined Herschend Enterprises as their Chief People Officer.

Debbie was a member of the Board of Directors for the Veterans Empowerment Organization for more than 6 years, including serving 3 years as Board Chair. VEO is an Atlanta based non-profit that helps return the homeless veterans of Atlanta to sustainable living. Today she serves as a member of the Advisory Board.

Debbie is married to Jim McKinley, and they have four kids, and a bunch of pets. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family, fitness, gardening, scuba diving and going on adventures.