Debby Thomas

Debby Thomas, PhD, serves as Dean of the College of Business and Assistant Professor of Management at George Fox University, where she has held faculty positions since 2016. Her academic journey integrates two decades of missionary work in Rwanda—including founding holistic community development programs and small businesses—with corporate management training and K-12 teaching experience.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Organizational Leadership (Regent University, 2015)
• MA in Global Leadership (Fuller Theological Seminary, 2009)
• BA in Elementary Education and International Studies (George Fox University, 1994)

Dr. Thomas pioneers research in leadership through multiple interconnected lenses: developing the "Classroom as Organization" experiential teaching model, examining empowering leadership in cross-cultural contexts (particularly Rwanda), advancing women's leadership through Quaker methodologies, and integrating biblical studies with contemporary leadership theory. Her work consistently bridges theological perspectives with organizational behavior, emphasizing servant leadership and replacing workplace fear with love-based approaches.

Her publication trajectory reveals evolving scholarly focus from 2014-2020, progressing from empirical cross-cultural comparisons (Rwandan/American followership) to theoretical frameworks (biblical leadership models) and practical pedagogy (business teaching methods). Recent work demonstrates increasing synthesis of international development experience with theological leadership concepts, culminating in her 2020 book on experiential business education.

No formal scientific awards were documented in the source materials, though her consistent presentation record at International Leadership Association conferences indicates professional recognition.

As Doctor of Business Administration faculty, Dr. Thomas actively mentors doctoral candidates through dissertation writing circles and teaches Leadership, Management, and Organizational Behavior courses across all degree levels. Her administrative leadership as Dean extends her influence to curriculum development and faculty mentorship within the College of Business.

Her professional identity remains deeply connected to Rwandan community development work, where her holistic programs functioned as real-world laboratories for leadership research. Current initiatives continue exploring cross-cultural leadership applications through publications in process examining dissertation support methods and biblical leadership models.