Debra Giunta is a purpose-driven Founder, CEO and Advisor whose life’s work is centered around Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).

As a TEDx speaker, recipient of the 2016 Goodcity Women’s Innovation Fund Award, Founding Board Member of the Illinois Dance Education Organization, and active mentor for growing organizations, Debra is driven by a lifetime of learning and development for herself and others.

Informed by her creative and visionary approach to social entrepreneurship, Debra is on a mission to create spaces and experiences where individuals feel supported and empowered in order for them to reach their greatest potential.

In 2008, Debra founded Design Dance, a dance education company inspired by the positive impact dance had on her own social and emotional development during her time as a competitive performer and teacher. As Director, she continues to develop partnerships with Chicago schools, community centers, and institutions in order to grow the number of youth around the city experiencing healing and empowerment through dance.

Continuing to infuse the arts in personal and professional development, Debra expanded her focus to include teenagers and young adults. In 2016, she founded Prismatic, a 501(c)(3) non-profit teaching entrepreneurship in the arts to Chicago students in 6th-12th grades. As Executive Director, Debra partners with local and national businesses, such as WeWork, to provide students with mentorship and classroom lessons that help them identify their strengths and mission, while illustrating a roadmap to creative entrepreneurship.

In order to expand her impact to families across the country, Debra soon developed The Grove. What started as a monthly subscription box with movement-inspired tools soon evolved into virtual, movement-based classes that foster creativity, boost cognitive growth and increase mindfulness for families in their own homes today.

Debra credits healthy, supportive environments to her own personal and professional development. And she is committed to creating the spaces and experiences that empower each of us to lean into our vulnerabilities in order to unlock our authentic selves and positively contribute to our community and world.

In support of continuing to expand her impact to all ages, Debra recently founded The Brainchild Collective which functions as a parent company for ventures previously founded and those yet to come.