We’re proud to share that our CEO and Co-Owner, Deb Lemon, was recently featured in Roanoke College Magazine, where she reflected on her journey from first-generation college student to leading OBE into its 30th year.
From Roanoke to the World Stage
Deb’s story begins at Roanoke College, where she balanced academics, athletics, and leadership opportunities. Those early experiences instilled a drive for exploration and adaptability—traits that carried her from her first job at a Nike factory store to producing global-scale events like the Nike Women’s Marathon and the JPMorgan Corporate Challenge.
Building OBE with Purpose
In 2005, Deb joined OBE and opened the Los Angeles office. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s growth and culture, helping it expand from a small, scrappy team into a globally recognized agency. Today, OBE has more than 150 employees and a client roster that includes Nike, JPMorgan Chase, and The Infatuation.
Keys to Success: Relationships and Experience
In the interview, Deb emphasizes that relationships and curiosity have shaped her career. “How you treat people and work with people in business is not a short-term thing because you never know where you’re going to run into somebody next,” she notes. Her advice to students and young professionals: seek out every opportunity, no matter how small—whether it’s volunteering for a plant sale, tackling an intimidating project, or taking that first retail job.
Leadership with Authenticity
Deb attributes her leadership style to a balance of adaptability and authenticity. For her, titles matter less than influence and impact: “If you don’t have those, it’s hard to make a dent—no matter what your title is.”
Click below to read the full article, “Speaking from Experience,” in Roanoke College Magazine: