About Us

Deborah Knupp

Managing Director

Deborah Knupp has 30 years of experience as a business development expert working with leaders in the legal, manufacturing, accounting, and financial services to align their people and business objectives to create cultures based on the principles of accountability and integrity. She teaches selling as an act of service through authentic relationships and other-centered problem solving.

Prior to joining GrowthPlay, Deb founded Akina, an industry leader in global business-development training and coaching for lawyers. Before Akina, Deb was a front-line sales and human resources executive with Algroup Lawson Mardon Packaging, Frito-Lay, and Pearle Vision. Her diverse experience ranges from general management of a $75 million business unit to facilitating strategic global leadership and culture-change management initiatives. With a point-of-view deeply supported in social science research and data, Deb’s human resources and sales background gives her clients a unique understanding that cultures producing engaged employee loyalty share the same traits that drive exceptional client loyalty and revenue. Clients often remark about her boundless well of energy, optimism, and hope that positive results are attainable. Clients also say that they value Deb’s mastery in communication skills and the capacity to frame complex concepts and constructs in a user-friendly, actionable manner.

Deb is a highly sought-after international speaker in new business development, relationship building, culture, firm management, and leadership. Deb graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with Senior Fellows Honors and a BS in Speech/Organizational Communication. Outside of work, Deb is a mother to three fantastic daughters and spends much of her time investing in causes that help heal people who are hurting.

Recent Posts

Blog

Leadership in Distress: How to Create an Abundance Mindset

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

June 24, 2020

Blog

Leadership in Distress: Ask the Hard Question

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

June 18, 2020

Blog

Leadership in Distress: Navigating Complexity

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

June 10, 2020

Blog

Leadership in Distress: Planning During a Season of Transition

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

May 26, 2020

Blog

Leadership in Distress: Shifting Company Culture

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

May 20, 2020

Blog

Leadership in Distress: What Makes an Exceptional Leader

The GrowthPlay leadership team examined the sign of the times, and asked, what is it that we want to offer our community to elevate hope? That will create clarity and will drive some measure of control and confidence so that people can act courageously in this distress and post stress? With our Leadership in Distress Series we hope we can draw wisdom and best practices from those who really make a living navigating and helping leaders flourish in all times of prosperity and in spaces of crisis and distress.

May 14, 2020