Debbie Anders ─ Managing, Developing, and Incubating Technology Partnerships for Competitive Differentiation...
June 30, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Debbie Anders
Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Americas Region
NTT Ltd.
Are you looking for a partner leader who is responsible for working with her company’s largest technology partnerships while incubating and developing others? We know the person—Debbie Anders!
Debbie Anders leads a team responsible for managing NTT’s largest partnerships and incubating and developing others to differentiate NTT in the changing technology market. Her goal is to establish mutually beneficial relationships as the cornerstone of her mission.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Women™, Debbie Anders!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I attended 13 different schools before I graduated from High School. I learned how to embrace change as a source of adventure at a young age.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
25K – 30K a year.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Octopus in Santiago, Chile. It was surprisingly good!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I’ve accumulated many experiences, successes, ups and downs, throughout my tenure as a professional. My greatest achievements as a leader have been when I’ve helped someone advance in their career. It’s all about the people. If your people are successful, then your clients and company are the beneficiaries.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I was selected as the mentee to the President of a Fortune 500 company many years ago. This mentorship allowed me to have 1:1 career conversations and job shadowing experiences that were instrumental in my professional development process.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity underpins innovation and creative thinking.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
By being present when engaging in conversations and by being a good listener. Organic mentorship is a passion of mine. I enjoy cultivating meaningful relationships with early in career talent that originates with a shared desire to be the best possible version of ourselves, both personally and professionally.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I developed a Partnership Framework that profiles technology and service partners based a holistic set of performance and company profile characteristic metrics. A scorecard led evaluation process captures the current and desired state of the partnership and takes a S.W.O.T. analysis view to drive success planning.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Time Management. The “new normal” has elevated my desire to work smarter. My goal is to set a better example of how to manage the greatest resource we have as professionals - time.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Executing with speed and agility without compromising quality.
