Debbie, a successful instructional and graphics designer for computer based training systems, graduated from Los Alamitos High School, where she was a member of the first women's track and cross country teams. She ran for San Diego State University's track and cross country teams on scholarship, and competed as far away as Japan! After graduating from college she qualified for the first Women's Olympic Marathon Trials.

She is active in community leadership and has given freely of her time and expertise, such as coaching the amateur running club Front Runners here in San Diego.