“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.”
Debra J. Zuniga is a dynamic and forward-thinking Human Resources executive with an exceptional track record of elevating organizational performance through people-centered strategies and transformative leadership. With over two decades of experience across diverse HR disciplines—spanning talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and executive coaching—Debra is known for her ability to translate business strategy into actionable human capital initiatives that foster sustainable growth and high-performance cultures.
At the core of Debra’s professional journey is her unwavering commitment to aligning people strategies with business imperatives. Most recently, as Head of Change Management at Hain Celestial Group, she was instrumental in establishing the company’s inaugural change management framework, leading global unification efforts, and creating Centers of Excellence across North America and Europe. These initiatives not only streamlined operations but also delivered measurable business impact, including a 12% reduction in operational costs and a 10% improvement in service levels. Her innovative Change Impact Analysis tool provided organizations with a clearer lens into transformation efforts, cutting duplicative initiatives by 20% and enabling more effective capital planning.
In her preceding role as Senior Director of Talent Management, Debra developed and executed a multi-year strategic talent roadmap to support Hain Celestial’s growth agenda. Her leadership led to the overhaul of performance management systems, the introduction of automated talent assessments, and the institutionalization of Talent Summits—resulting in stronger succession planning, reduced recruitment costs, and a 21% increase in leadership readiness. She also spearheaded DEI strategies that improved representation across gender and ethnic lines, reflecting her inclusive approach to talent and culture.
Debra’s effectiveness as a strategic business partner was further proven in her tenure as Senior Director, North America HR Business Partner, where she advised CEOs across Corporate and Supply Chain functions. Her initiatives tackled critical challenges such as high turnover in manufacturing, labor negotiations with Canadian unions, and the integration of newly acquired entities. By creating business cases grounded in data and implementing targeted solutions—ranging from compensation benchmarking to continuous improvement roles—Debra contributed to greater retention, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Her expertise in navigating complex organizational environments was honed during her years at Macy’s Inc., where she held progressive leadership roles including Principal HR Business Partner and Director of Retail Development Operations. At Macy’s, she was a trusted advisor to senior executives across marketing, supply chain, finance, and merchandising. Whether managing workforce planning for a $32M private brands portfolio or leading talent development during enterprise-wide restructuring, Debra consistently applied a balanced blend of empathy, analytics, and business acumen. Her leadership in Macy’s cross-divisional initiatives—ranging from compensation strategy to CSR and business resiliency—positioned her as a highly versatile and trusted voice in HR leadership.
In addition to her executive roles, Debra has invested significantly in her professional development. She holds an HR Management and Data Analytics Certification from the Wharton School of Business and is a certified SHRM-CP and IPEC Professional Coach. Her coaching style, grounded in energy leadership principles, has empowered dozens of leaders to reach their full potential while driving collective success for their teams and organizations.
What sets Debra apart is her rare ability to design systems that support people while also driving measurable business outcomes. Whether leading workforce planning in the midst of a global pandemic at Nature’s Bounty Company, optimizing performance systems at Hain Celestial, or mentoring future leaders at Macy’s, she brings passion, rigor, and humanity to every initiative.
Debra Zuniga is not just a strategic HR leader—she’s a catalyst for change, a champion of inclusive leadership, and a builder of thriving workplace cultures. As organizations continue to navigate complex change and prioritize talent as a critical asset, Debra remains a visionary force in shaping the future of work.
Character
Debra Zuniga demonstrates exceptional integrity, empathy, and resilience, consistently empowering teams and building inclusive workplace cultures rooted in trust, accountability, and purpose-driven leadership.
Knowledge
Her deep expertise across talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and executive coaching enables her to craft people strategies that align seamlessly with business goals and deliver measurable impact.
Strategic
Debra has a proven ability to drive enterprise-wide transformation by integrating workforce planning, DEI, and performance systems into high-level business strategies that elevate engagement and operational efficiency.
Communication
She is a compelling communicator and executive coach who fosters transparent dialogue, inspires cross-functional collaboration, and translates complex initiatives into clear, actionable plans embraced across all organizational levels.
