About Us

Dr. Debra Gelinas is the owner and principal of Breadwinner Coaching and Consulting LLC. A career educator, during Debra’s more than twenty-years in higher education she taught, coached and mentored hundreds of individuals to support them as they worked toward achieving goals, made meaningful change in their lives, and began or advanced their careers. In leadership roles at both Berklee College of Music and University at Albany (SUNY), Debra led high-impact teams, partnered with industry to support early career development, and worked in tandem with content experts to design and deliver programs that helped both students and working professionals develop new skills. These experiences, along with a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Certificate in Professional Coaching, helped Debra build the skills and desire to launch Breadwinner Coaching and Consulting. Breadwinner works with individuals and organizations to support transformational change and development during key points of transition.     

Debra also holds a certificate in human resources management and is trained in executive mediation. She is an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) and COR.E Leadership Dynamics Specialist (CLDS); and is certified to administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.  

Passionate about volunteering, Debra has given her time to several organizations. As a volunteer for many years with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY), Debra supported participants with leadership development, as well as recruited and trained volunteer conference staff. She served as an Alumni Admission Representative, an Alumni Club Coordinator in Boston, and a member of the Alumni Board of Directors for Ithaca College. Most recently, Debra volunteered for her local school district as a Bridge to College Program Mentor, supporting high school seniors and their families as they navigated the process of applying for college as the first member of their family to attend college.  

Debra lives near Albany, NY, with her husband, daughter, and stepson. She enjoys reading, traveling, live music and theatre, visiting museums, and spending time with her daughter. She tried to take up gardening during the pandemic but quickly learned that she does not have a green thumb.