Debbie Dyson
Chief Executive Officer, OneTen
Debbie Dyson is a visionary transformational leader, known for inspiring others to unleash their inherent power and potential to drive impact and sustainable success. As CEO of OneTen, a nonprofit organization championing the skills-first movement, Debbie leads efforts to unlock career opportunities for individuals without four-year degrees. As a coalition, OneTen works with leading CEOs and their companies to transform hiring and advancement practices through skills-first strategies and to connect talent without traditional college degrees to in-demand jobs at America’s top employers. By prioritizing skills over degrees, OneTen aims to create greater economic mobility for talent while building a more equitable and inclusive future workforce.
At the helm of OneTen, Debbie orchestrates connections between Fortune 500 employers, talent and various stakeholders including talent developers, skill-credentialing organizations, leading nonprofits and community-based partners. This collaboration supports the entire talent journey, resulting in over 131,000 hires and promotions, a coalition of over 65 employer companies and a reach spanning more than 3,000 cities in the U.S. to date.
With over 30 years of experience in human capital management at ADP, Debbie has driven large-scale human capital management strategy and transformation yielding exceptional outcomes for ADP’s U.S.-based enterprise clients worldwide. She also serves on the public board of Envoy Global and non-profit boards for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Teach for America (New Jersey).
Debbie’s enduring passion for advocacy and philanthropy is evident throughout her career. At ADP, she served as executive sponsor for various business resource groups including Women in Leadership (WIL) and has placed significant emphasis on empowering and investing in women worldwide. Debbie is also an avid supporter of youth education.
Dyson is a recognized authority on leadership, the future of work and building an equitable workforce. Her insights have been featured on Bloomberg Markets, CNN, The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, Fair360 (formerly DiversityInc.), Essence and Saavy magazine, among others. She has graced the cover of Black Enterprise magazine’s Women of Power edition, has earned consecutive recognitions as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, has been honored as one of the 300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America and was a recipient of the inaugural Chief New Era of Leadership award, which honors executive women and companies shaping the future of business. Debbie actively shares her voice at events hosted by ASU+GSV, Blackstone, CHIEF, Forbes Future of Work, the Fortune CEO Initiative, Fortune Impact Initiative, Milken Institute and the National Governor’s Association.