DEBORAH A. FREER - EXECUTIVE BIO - AS OF SEPTEMBER 2016

Debbie Freer is leading the creation of OG Next, the career transformation organization within the larger umbrella organization of Options Group. Her focus is on executive leadership, coaching and assessment as well as building a world-class career transformation firm.

Debbie is a seasoned executive specializing in business operations, global leadership, and strategic planning and execution. Over the past 20+ years, she has led people through transformative change while sustaining peak employee performance. As a strong leader, Debbie is well versed in optimizing people, processes, and technology to deliver multi-million-dollar impact. Her subject matter expertise spans policy/procedure implementation, corporate governance, M&A integration, business process optimization, regulatory compliance, crisis management, and talent management.

Debbie is working with Options Group from UBS where she joined in 2015 as their Chief Transformation Officer. In 2009, Debbie joined RBC Capital Markets where she served as the Chief Operating Officer of US Capital Markets and the Chief Executive Officer of US Broker Dealer CMC LLC. In this role she provided the strategic vision and leadership for over 3,000 Capital Markets employees and 6,000 Wealth Management employees. Debbie directed information technology, operations, risk, legal, compliance, finance, real estate, and human resource functions to ensure appropriate operational controls and resource allocation. She also spearheaded legal and regulatory controls and served as the fiduciary with final approval of financial records. During her tenure, Debbie improved revenue by over 30% and increased profitability by 33%. In addition, she increased employee retention by over 20% and negotiated a real estate deal to relocate over 1,000 employees. In addition, Debbie chaired the New Business Committee and was COO during the creation of the Thor product team and the migration to IEX which became the focus of Michael Lewis’s book Flash Boys.

Debbie's executive career started at Merrill Lynch, as the Vice President of Institutional Client Group Technology Infrastructure, and spanning roles such as Director of Global Technology, Director of Product Development, Managing Director of Product Development and Client Services, and Managing Director of Prime Brokerage Product Development and Client Facing Technology. Debbie has completed Executive Leadership Training at Harvard Business School and has also completed International Business and Management courses at Caldwell University. She is series 7, 24, and 79 licensed and has a certificate in system design. Debbie is passionate about being involved in her community, and in the enhancement of diversity by serving as an senior advisor for Out Leadership and Philanthropically passionate by also serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Associates for Ronald McDonald House. Debbie was also named Mentor of the Year by Traders Magazine and was honored as Voice of Experience on The Glass Hammer. Debbie resides in New Jersey with her husband John and her daughters Megan and Kylie. Debbie has a home in the Adirondacks and a love of boating and writing.