Deborah Macfarlan Enright, Ed.D.
Author - Board Whisperer
Deb is determined to give back to the people in the nonprofit sector who continue to inspire her.
She wrote Board to Death: Transform Your Nonprofit Board Into A Strategic Catalyst for Change to show through stories, systems, and solutions how to best use the most strategic asset an organization can leverage for sustained efforts in doing good.
Deb founded a consulting practice, The Macfarlan Group, to work with those who seek to improve the world through the skillful disruption of the status quo. Her work included developing a software platform used by nonprofits to increase their operational efficiency in the delivery of the mission, she created strategic plans, built and trained Boards, developed strategies for leadership succession and Board engagement, and she created information channels giving voice to the stories of those deep in this work through her book, her YouTube series, her podcast, and her blog.
She is an acclaimed communicator, connector, and strategist adept at uncovering potential in individuals and groups strengthening their abilities to optimize their impact within their organization and the community.
Deb believes that disrupters talking across industries and interests to collectively impact social challenges will cause deep sustainable change. Her work experiences here and abroad have found her in the company of disrupters changing the world in areas including education, addiction recovery, social justice, human rights, healthcare, housing insecurity, and animal rights.
Deb has served on local, regional, and international Boards of Directors of social impact organizations and education institutions. These experiences impact her ability to develop leaders, create strategic plans, and strengthen an organization’s operational effectiveness.
Deb hosted The Macfarlan Group’s podcast 3 a.m. What’s Keeping You Up at Night? For three seasons, Deb interviewed leaders in the social impact ecosystem around the country discussing best nonprofit management practices and social justice efforts with practitioners, leaders, and superstars working to disrupt the status quo to make the world better.
Deb holds an undergraduate degree from Vassar College and two advanced degrees from Vanderbilt University including a Doctorate in Education Policy from the nationally ranked Leadership, Policy & Organization Department program.
Honored for her work, Deb has received the Outstanding Service to the College Award presented by the Alumni Association of Vassar College. The recipient is recognized for decades of service to Vassar College through engagement with the Alumni Association of Vassar College from the local to international leadership levels.
In 2023, she was awarded the Brant Bousquet Award by the Franklin Justice & Equity Coalition recognizing her work in the social justice space in the Middle Tennessee area.
Before all of this (and children), Deb fronted a jazz trio touring the East Coast and Caribbean. Her tune, “Tonight He’s Mine” recorded by the James Bazen Big Band can be found on YouTube here.
