Deborah Stallings was born in Chicago, Illinois to L.D. Roosevelt and Lula Stallings. She lived in Chicago public housing prior to moving to Liberty, Mississippi at the age of six. There she picked cotton, pepper, corn, watermelons, potatoes; and helped care for livestock and vegetables on her maternal grandparents’ farm. She returned to Chicago at the age of thirteen.

Ms. Stallings relocated to Maryland in 1986 at the age of 27 with her six year old daughter, Kena to work in an administrative management position at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Three years later she joined Harbor Hospital Center as a Nurse Recruiter and over the next ten years worked her way up in human resources to positions of increased responsibilities.

In 1999, Ms. Stallings founded HR Anew as a sole employee in her small apartment in Columbia, Maryland using personal savings of less than $5,000 to finance her company. In 11 years, she has grown the company to employ 30 benefits eligible and 157 part-time temporary employees; and more than 20 subject matter experts including world renowned keynote speakers. Annual revenues for the company have increased from 28% to 100% annually since 2003 and HR Anew currently has client contracts to perform for a total value at more than $6M. The target revenue goal for HR Anew in 2011 is $5.5 million.

Ms. Stallings is committed to corporate social responsibility and is an active leader in the social community. She mentors aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs, especially minorities and women; provides internships for high school and college students; and teaches financial literacy and entrepreneurship in Baltimore City through the Church where she worships. Additionally, Ms. Stallings is the founder, past president, member, and a sponsor of the Howard County Human Resource Society (HoCoHRS), a 300-member affiliate chapter of the national Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); and she routinely establishes strategic alliances and utilizes the services of small and minority owned businesses. She is a member of and serves on the boards of the National Association of Women Business Owners – National Board, Associated Black Charities, Maryland Chamber of Commerce; Governor of Maryland’s Small Business Commission, St. Agnes Hospital Foundation Board, is a Trustee on the Lincoln Technical Institute Board, and a Trustee at the Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church.

Ms. Stallings and HR Anew have received numerous awards including 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist; 2010 Women’s President Organization Women of Color – 100 Black Men; 2010, 2009 and 2008 Future 50 – SmartCEO Magazine; 2009 and 2007 Maryland Top 100 Women; 2010, 2008 and 2006 Maryland Top 100 MBE – The Daily Record and the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs; 2008 HR Leadership Award of Greater Washington for Corporate Social Responsibility.; 2007 Women in Business Champion – U.S. Small Business Administration; 2007 Business Achievement – Howard County Economic Development Authority; 2007 BRAVO Business Achievement – Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine; 2007 Woman of the Year – National Association of Women Business Owners, Baltimore Region; 2009, 2008, and 2007 Maryland Top 100 Small Business (DiversityBusiness.com).

Ms. Stallings is also very active in her religious affiliation serving as a member of the Board of Trustees; and Chair of the Stewardship Financial Ministry at Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church where she implemented n 11-week financial fitness and literacy program educating individuals on best practices and techniques for improving their personal financial portfolio.

Ms. Stallings is a lifelong learner and honor roll student, currently earning a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration/ Minor, Human Resources and Entrepreneurship degree at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland – anticipated graduation is December 2011. She is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the national Human Resource Certification Institution (HRCI), the certifying organization for human resource management professionals.

www.hranew.com

Original Air Date: April 9, 2011