About Deborah Smith Pegues
From her humble beginnings as a Southern maid to a Fortune 500 V.P. to bestselling, award-winning author, Deborah has maintained an intense passion for “walking the Word of God”. As a former TV host of the faith-based, how-to program WINNING WITH DEBORAH (on the TBN SALSA Network), international speaker, and interpersonal communications strategist, Deborah has delivered sage advice on relational, financial, physical, and emotional freedom to secular and religious audiences worldwide. She is a high-energy, inspiring motivator, effectively incorporating humor and hard-hitting directness into her presentations to her never-bored listeners. Deborah has the unique ability to address people across all cultures, denominations, and economic strata. Through her guest appearances on numerous radio and television shows, she has shared the life-changing, practical application of God’s principles with millions. Repeat invitations, as well as letters from around the world, affirm the effectiveness of her writings and teaching.
Deborah has penned 18 books including her lastest release, Lead Like a Woman. (See “Online Store” for a listing and description of other books authored by Deborah).
A seasoned professional and astute businesswoman, Deborah has held executive positions in several major corporations including ten years as Vice President of MCA INC. / Universal Studios’ venture capital division (MCA New Ventures, Inc), and three years as Manager of Forecasting and Budgeting for Hughes Aircraft’s billion-dollar Space & Communications Division. She has also served as a financial consultant to several celebrities, various non-profit organizations, and emerging businesses domestically and in South Africa. She prepared the initial financial projections for the development of the wildly successful Magic Johnson Theater chain.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas and an MBA degree in Finance from the University of Southern California, Deborah is also a Certified Behavioral Consultant. Using her P.A.C.E. personality assessment, she specializes in helping people understand, accept, and navigate differences in personality temperament.
Deborah served for nine years as Chief Financial Officer of West Angeles Church in Los Angeles, CA, one of the leading mega-churches in the USA, headed by Bishop Charles Blake (former presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ International). In connection with the construction of their $66-million landmark cathedral, she negotiated the largest financing commitment ever extended to a church in the United States at that time.
She is in great demand to share her expertise in resolving interpersonal conflicts via effective confrontations. She has conducted transformational training in secular and non-secular organizations on achieving organizational unity. Her advice has appeared in Essence magazine, Charisma, Redbook, and other national publications. Deborah’s past community involvement has included serving on the Board of Directors of the billion-dollar Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU), World Vision USA, the billion-dollar Christian humanitarian organization that helps relieve poverty in over 100 countries (www.WorldVision.org), Christian Women in Media Association (www.cwima.org), Christian Entertainers Fellowship, Inc., an outreach organization for high profile entertainers, and sharing her wisdom as CEO of The Pegues Group, Inc. with numerous other nonprofit organizations.
Respected community leaders have praised Deborah for her excellence, forthrightness, and integrity. She and her husband, Darnell Pegues, have been happily married for almost 45 years. They reside in California and have many spiritual children.
Deborah’s motto is,
“Everything works together for my good; I’m never a victim.”