Our Leadership

Debbie Woodbury
CEO & Founder of The Meritology Institute, LLC

Debbie Woodbury has over 20 years of experience in the Parks and Recreation profession. Ms. Woodbury’s passion exudes for this field as she was named the 2005 Employee of the Year by the City of Falls Church in Virginia. Having already earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from George Mason University, with a concentration in Sociology, Ms. Woodbury earned a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University. She is a Certified Public Manager, a Certified Program Planner, and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. Ms. Woodbury serves on the board for GP RED and NC State SPIA. With a strong desire to empower and teach others, she has served as a presenter for various educational sessions at local, state and national conferences. In 2018, she was nominated for the Equity for Women Award. She continues to study leadership, social justice and is committed to advocating for equity for low-income youth and communities.

Professional Certifications

Society for Human Resources (SHRM) Certified Professional- SHRM CP 2024

Certificate of Completion, Race, Equity, And Leadership (REAL) Inclusion Program, 2022

Certified Pool & Spa Operator Certification, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, 2022

Certificate of Completion, Race, Equity, And Leadership (REAL) Inclusion Program, 2022

Certified Program Planner, LERN, 2021

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Mama College of Business, 2021

Certificate of Completion for High Performing Organizations, College of Charleston, 2021

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, National Council for Behavioral Health, 2019

Certified Public Manager, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments/ Institute for Regional Excellence, 2014

Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP), National Recreation and Parks Association, 2014 

Speaking Engagements

2023 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s Management Conference, Speaker

2023 Arizona Recreation and Parks Association State Conference, Speaker

2022 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Speaker

2020 Alaska Recreation and Parks Association, Speaker

2020 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Annual Conference, Speaker

2020 Maryland Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Speaker

2019 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Speaker

2019 NC Parks and Recreation Directors Conference, Speaker

2019 City of Alexandria, RPCA Health and Safety Conference, Facilitator

2019 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Annual Conference, Speaker

2015 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s Management Conference, Speaker

2015 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s Northern Service Area, Speaker

2018 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Speaker

2017 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s Management Conference, Speaker

2017 National Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Speaker

2017 Virginia Recreation and Parks Society’s State Conference, Speaker

2017 Carolinas Joint Recreation & Parks Conference, Speaker

2016 North Carolina Recreation and Park Association Conference, Speaker