Deborah N. Allen has more than 20 years of leadership experience guiding top tier companies and helping to build future leaders. An accomplished visionary and strategist, she has driven outstanding organizational performance and growth. As the Owner Operator of Nevada Corporation, founded in 1999, she oversees the success of seven McDonald’s Franchises and over 400 employees in Milwaukee’s Central City.
Deborah began her journey to entrepreneurship at the Wisconsin Gas Company where she worked for 18 years. Her diligence and tenacity for getting the job done moved her up the ranks, ultimately leading her to managing all of Wisconsin Gas Company’s Customer Service Centers in Milwaukee, West Bend and Cedarburg. She later reported directly to the VP of Human Resources, managing a newly created department entitled Organizational Development and Change. Her time served at Wisconsin Gas allowed her to gain valuable insights on the role and importance of good customer service and Human Resource operations.
Deborah is passionate about providing people with opportunities needed to pursue their dreams. Her motto is that, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there!...So get focused people!” She believes that a higher education provides an abundance of choices and options. Additionally, Deborah encourages individuals to have vision and purpose for their lives. Staying focused on your vision and purpose will ensure a clear path to the road of success. Her role as leader and mentor enables her to have a direct impact on helping others, specifically her Restaurant Managers, encouraging higher education and home ownership. Deborah provided housing for a Katrina victim desiring to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin. That student has since graduated and now attends medical school at the University of Madison, and is like a daughter and family member.
Deborah’s formal education includes an Undergraduate Degree in Business Management and Communications from Concordia University as well as an Executive Masters in Business Administration from Marquette University, and course work towards a Masters Degree in Human Resources. She has been featured in Marquette’s “Business Magazine” and in the Fall 2009 edition of the “Marquette Magazine.” In her spare time, she enjoys singing and mentoring young people.
She has a strong sense of community service and currently holds several community-based roles. She is a member of the McDonald’s Central City Network of Minority Operators, and serves on the Executive Board for the Rite Hite YMCA. She received the Business Journal’s “2009 Women of Influence Award”. In 2010 Deborah received the Milwaukee Times’ Black Excellence Award in the area of Women in Business; and was named Volunteer of the Year by the Rite Hite YMCA. She also donates to various schools, community and youth organizations. She is a member of the Christian Faith Fellow Church and provides musical assistance to the Abundant Faith, Church of Integrity.
