Debra Gordon Woods
Country Club Hills, IL *****
Home: 708-***-**** - Cell: 312-***-**** ************@*****.***
Executive Profile
I am a proven financial industry leader with accomplished skills in the area of institutional sales-trading, client relationship
management and organizational development. The foundation of my career which began on the Chicago Board of Options
Exchange has allowed me to develop skills that have been enhanced throughout my career. As a diligent and detail-oriented
professional, I offer extensive experience in client relationship and project management across multiproduct i.e. Domestic
and international equities, corporate and municipal bonds, options and the alternative arena. My time management skills
and ability to leverage interpersonal skills have allowed me to implement investment strategies that have benefited my
clients and increase market value while achieving corporate goals and objectives . A Known connector in creating
partnerships amongst Public and Corporate Plan Sponsors, Consultants, Investment Managers and leading industry leaders
Professional Experience
MR Beal & Company - Chicago, Illinois` Senior Vice President
March 2011 to December 2013
Utilized relationships building a solid client base and driving revenue growth by 20%
Developed strategic business plan to enhance client development and retention across various asset classes
Created, implemented, and continually reviewed a plan that includes stra tegies designed to help clients pursue their
long-term goals
Organized and administered duties across a multi-disciplined team within the organization to ensure a smooth on-
boarding process for the client as well as to address all client issues.
Consistently exceeded established account development and revenue generation goals.
Ensured brand exposure and consistency via seminars and industry conferences nationally and locally
Designed a weekly quantitative research report ranking top 20 portfolio holdings t hat could be customized to fit
individual client needs
Served as the firm's executive liaison to pension board proceedings, legislative meetings and was responsibl e for
the dissemination of data
Developed a client base through various methods of business development including cold calling, market research,
and
Responded to client requests and concerns through coordinating with marketing, sales, trading, management, legal,
back office and compliance teams while seeking possible cross -sale opportunities.
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The Williams Capital Group, L.P. - Chicago, IL Principal Institutional Sales and Marketing
April 2005 to May 2011
Introduced corporate, Taft-Hartley and public sector entities to the unique capabilities of the firm
Managed team of sales traders in generating revenues of over $100 mm
Participated in generating underwriting relationships placing firm consistently ranking in top 10 of minority
investment banking firms
Maintained existing and developed new relationships with major and mid-tier buyside accounts
Developed relationships with trustees nationally, educating them on how to add value to their fund, while
maintaining their fiduciary responsibilities
Traveled extensively throughout the United States developing a comprehensive network of inv estment community
contacts creating strategic partnerships.
Solicited and completed RFP's for firm inclusion in consultant, public fund, corporate treasur y, and investment
advisory firm databases
Created internal matrix tracking MWBE public fund's list of investment advisors against internal client list
Attended monthly local pension funds board meetings to networking and understand the fund objectives
Corresponded daily with investment professionals and trustees keeping abreast of industry issues and trends
Coordinated client events bringing together local politicians, industry leaders, consultants, plan s ponsors and
investment managers
SBK-Brooks Investment Corp. - Chicago, IL Senior Managing Director Institutional Sales
August 2003 to April 2005
Established Cleveland based SBK-Brooks presence in Chicago markets
Key member of management team overseeing strategic marketing, product development, and acquisitions
Managed sales-trading territory for institutional brokerage with asset managers, local and national pension funds
Partnered with internal and external parties through finalization, overseeing the vetting/negotiations of
contractual, guideline, and supplemental agreements.
Utendahl Capital Partners, L.P. - New York, NY Managing Director Institutional Sales and Trading
April 1998 to August 2003
Implemented marketing strategies to highlight multi products: equities, bonds, real estate development, convertible
bonds and private equity.
Strengthened corporate finance department by creating a corporate buyback expertise that helped develop
relationships with fortune 500 companies increasing revenue and stock flow
Traded US domestic and OTC large, mid and small cap stocks daily with an expertise in small cap trading
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Participated in the underwriting of IPO’s and secondary equity offerings
Solicited and completed RFP's for firm inclusion in consultant, public fund, corporate treasury, and investment
advisory firms databases
Initiated client meetings with research team and Corporate Finance department providing corporate access
Offered clients excellent pictures of stock with information provided from a network of brokers on the NYSE
Ensured that trades were settled in compliance with the governing laws
Licenses
Series 7, 63 and 53
Education
Bachelors of Arts Business Management DePaul University - Chicago, IL, USA
Professional Accomplishment
2005- 2011 Past President and Vice President of NASP Chicago
National Association of Securities Professional (NASP) is a non-profit association of professionals in the financial arena.
NASP brings together the nation's leading minorities and women who have achieved recognition as asset managers, brokers,
public finance managers, bond counsel, commercial bank underwriters, investors, plan sponsors and other finance
professionals.
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