Deb Skarda MSN, MBA, CPC, PCC, CDTLF

Executive Coach
Leadership Team Coach

Deb Skarda brings a unique blend of clinical empathy and seasoned corporate leadership to her work as an executive coach. Drawing from a 30-year career that bridges the high-stakes environment of critical care nursing with senior roles in Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, she offers a diagnostic, highly practical approach to leadership development. Deb specializes in partnering with executives who navigate the friction of highly matrixed environments, where ongoing change and high pressure define the landscape.

Before transitioning to coaching, Deb held pivotal leadership roles at Abbott, Hospira, and AbbVie. Responsible for organizations exceeding 100 employees and managing expense budgets of over $350 million, she developed a deep understanding of organizational mechanics and the human impact of large-scale operations. This extensive frontline experience allows Deb to serve as a peer-level thought partner for executives navigating complex challenges, including organizational redesign, M&A transitions, and cross-functional alignment. She understands exactly how people react and adapt under pressure, a perspective that informs her coaching style.

Deb believes that leaders achieve their greatest impact when they bring their whole selves to how they lead and live. She helps clients identify core values, recognize hidden behavioral triggers, and unlock unrealized opportunities for growth. She holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Business and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Based in Wisconsin, Deb enjoys spending time outdoors and recharging with family and friends.