“As CEO and Owner, I choose to work as hard as I can to continue to elevate my company, people, and members of my community.”
Since becoming CEO & Owner of Creative in 2021, Debbie Lennick has been driven by a singular vision—growth, innovation, and industry leadership. Follow along to learn more about Debbie as we delve into her personal values and unique qualities that make her an outstanding CEO and leader:
What does it mean to you to lead a woman-owned business?
It is an honor of a lifetime to lead Creative and its talented team members. As CEO and Owner, I get to lead while working as hard as I can to elevate my company, people, and community. Although challenging, it is rewarding to lead this organization and be the catalyst and driving force behind Creative’s mission.
As a mentor and leader, I have and will continue to drive, inspire, and learn from the future and current female leaders of our communities. My goal is two fold—to inspire them to reach for their dreams and to stay strong when the waters get rough, while their stories in turn do the same for me. I believe I have been able to create a culture of encouragement, celebration, accomplishment, and hard work.
What is your leadership style, and what inspired you to become a leader?
My leadership style is centered around collaboration, empathy, and continuous growth. I believe in the power of teamwork—when we support each other, respect every role, and work together, we rise or fall as one. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels motivated and valued, no matter their position. At the heart of my approach is a genuine care for both the people I work with and our customers. I commit to fostering an atmosphere where learning never stops, challenges are opportunities to improve, and everyone has the chance to grow and develop.
I also believe in working with purpose and passion, but never at the expense of fun. It’s important to me that our journey is rewarding in every way—not just the outcome, but the experiences along the way. Ultimately, I aim to inspire my team to work hard, strive for excellence, and always keep learning, so we can continue to push boundaries and achieve great things together.
What challenges have you faced as a leader?
The greatest challenge I faced was navigating the impact of COVID on Creative, the staff, and its customers, within months of moving into the CEO role. I reached out personally to each employee impacted and held weekly chats with the company to keep communication lines open. I was transparent with all activities that the company was doing to push through this time, while still fulfilling commitments to our customers.
That experience shaped who I am as a leader to push this company forward. It is an experience that I do not wish on anyone, but one that has made me a stronger leader. I learned a great deal about the power of communication during such a difficult time for our organization and the community.
What have been your biggest career achievements?
One of my biggest achievements would be purchasing Creative in 2021. I became Creative’s sole owner and CEO, turning this company into a certified Small and Woman-owned business. This was part of an ownership transition plan that started in 2017, and I’m proud to say I achieved this one year ahead of schedule.
In 2024, I was honored to be nominated for the RVA Power Women Award and recently inducted into the VCU Circle of Excellence. This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the powerhouse team that makes Creative extraordinary.
What are you most passionate about?
I’m passionate about two things that truly shape who I am—my family and the power of teamwork. My family is my foundation, providing love and support that fuels everything I do. In the professional world, I’m equally passionate about building strong, collaborative teams. I believe that when people come together, share ideas, and work towards a common goal, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.
What is your vision for the future?
I believe that the future is only as good as I choose to make it. I choose to work as hard as I can to continue to elevate my company, people, and community. It is a challenging and rewarding world for all people, and I feel that it is my duty to help be a catalyst for our organization and our customers to continue to advance the way people live, learn, and work.
As I continue to grow as a leader, I will continue to share my story with anyone curious to learn. I hope that others learn from my personal successes and struggles. It is my mission to help develop and grow the skills that they need to become powerful and successful women in leadership.
