Deb Hileman, CMP joined the IDA Board of Directors in 2013. Deb is a public relations and marketing communications leader with more than 30 years’ experience, including 15 years as a senior executive in the healthcare industry. Currently President and CEO of the Institute for Crisis Management and known as a voice of calm in the midst of chaos and crisis, Deb has earned a reputation as a trusted communication strategist and advisor to board members and C-suite executives, operations leaders and other organizational stakeholders

A regular writer and blogger on business communication topics, she is the author of “Attorneys as Allies:  Balancing Stakeholder Needs with Legal Concerns During a Crisis”, published in the Writer’s Guidebook, Vol.2, PR News Press; “Building a Crisis Early Warning System by Empowering Employees to Speak Up”, published in The Book of Employee Communications Strategies & Tactics, vol. 5, PR News Press, and “​In a Snap: 15 Tips for Faster, More Effective Employee Communications in a Crisis”, published in The Book of Crisis Management Strategies and Tactics, Vol. 8, PR News Press.

Deb is an active member of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce,  the International Association of Business Communicators and other professional organizations. She is the 2017-18 Chair of the Global Communication Certification Council, which manages certification programs for communications professionals following international standards of excellence.

A native of South Bend, Indiana, Deb lives and works in Parker, Colo., with Tim, her husband of 27 years. An avid proponent of lifelong learning, she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Purdue University, and has completed post-graduate studies in public administration at Indiana University and executive education programs at the University of Denver, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University and Stanford University. In her free time, Deb enjoys gardening, golf, and reading books of all kinds.

I joined the Invisible Disabilities Association because I want to help bridge the gap in understanding and acceptance between people who live with invisible disabilities and those with whom they interact– including their caregivers, coworkers, family members and friends.  IDA has already made a tremendous impact in the lives of those with invisible disabilities, and I look forward to helping advance the caring mission and vision of the organization.