Debra Hill has put the data systems management degree she earned at JWU to good use, overseeing publishing technology at Rhode Island’s predominant daily newspaper, the Providence Journal.
Debra began her career at a credit card processing company, developing and maintaining complex computer programs. Within three years, she was promoted to supervisor of systems development. Having mastered intricate computer languages such as COBOL and RPG, she moved up to technical team leader for a large local bank. She utilized this rapidly expanding skill set to attain a high-ranking position with Millipore Corp., as manager of financial applications.
She feels a major key to her success is adaptability, saying, "Be a business person before a technologist. Technology changes rapidly, but good business sense is always good business sense." She continues by saying, "Whatever you’re doing, make yourself valuable. Companies want people who can adapt and grow with them."
Now the vice president of publishing technology, Debra directs the daily and long-range activities for her department, balancing the challenges of her job with her duties as a mother, also finding time to devote to her community.