How a Heart Attack Changed This Ph.D.’s Life — for the Better

SheVentures

Imagine rising through the ranks of the Federal government for three decades until one day a sudden heart attack forced you to reevaluate your life priorities. Debra Owens, Ph.D., is an Army veteran, former U.S. Postal Service employee, and a U.S. Department of the Treasury human resources manager. By all accounts, she built a stable career while raising two children, going through a divorce, and taking every opportunity possible to educate/upskill herself, tireless in her pursuit of knowledge.

While building her career, Owens was often asked by friends or family about how to navigate the Federal government. Initially, Owens helped because that’s her nature. Then it kept happening, and Owens recognized a gap in the market: helping people navigate the complexities of working with the Federal government, in addition to working with women on how to define and take action on their passions. Owens’ heart attack — which happened while she was working her then side hustle and full-time job — was a pivotal moment where she decided to follow, well, her heart and retire from the government. Today Owens is the founder and CEO of her own development consulting firm, Encore Empowerment International, an author, motivational speaker, executive coach, and consultant who holds multiple degrees and licenses, including one as an ordained minister! This is a story about resilience and determination.

Key Highlights

• Owens reflects on her upbringing, her education, and what it was like to be a woman in the military
• Where Owens met her first husband, and her experience transitioning to civilian life
• Why resilience and adaptability are essential in your personal and professional life
• What led Owens to constantly seek change and pursue education until she obtained her Ph.D.
• What it was like to fire employees in the Federal government
• How entrepreneurship manifested in Owens as a side hustle more than 15 years ago
• Owens speaks about her heart attack, her recovery, and her quick realization she needed to take action
• The roles faith and support have played in Owens’ life
• Owens speaks candidly about how she overcame life’s emotional challenges
• The significance of community involvement and support in fostering inner strength and endurance
• How did Owens transition to entrepreneurship full-time?
• Delve into the dynamics of personal relationships and uncover pearls of wisdom from real-life marriage experiences
• Real talk about Owens’ lessons from divorce
• Owens discusses regret and balancing work and family
• Where to find out more about Dr. Owens, her company Encore Empowerment International, and how you can work with her as an executive coach to enhance your leadership skills or develop conflict resolution techniques, or how you can hire her as a motivational speaker