Biography of Rev. Debora Jackson, DMin, MDiv, ME, MS, BS

The Reverend Dr. Debora Jackson is a Professor of Practice in the discipline of Organizational Behavior and Change with expertise in Leadership. Dr. Jackson's research focuses on increasing effectiveness in leadership through the integration of spiritual and reflective practices. Her research also focuses on womanist leadership and how womanism provides a leadership framework that lifts individuals, organizations, and communities. 

From January 2021 to May 2025, Dr. Jackson was the Harry G. Stoddard Professor of Management and Dean of the Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Under Dean Jackson’s leadership, the Business School enjoyed significant growth and programmatic recognition. During her tenure, the Business School spearheaded graduate recruitment initiatives that increased new Master’s student enrollment by 214 percent. The school launched new academic programs, including the nation’s first full suite of Financial Technology degrees at the BS, MS, and PhD levels, and a STEM-designated MBA, while revitalizing existing programs, including incorporating AI, to meet student and workforce demands. In 2025, Poets&Quants ranked the online MBA 24th and the undergraduate programs 42nd in the nation. Through her tenure, she was a tireless advocate for the inseparability of business and STEM education.

Dr. Jackson comes to WPI having served as Director of Operations of All Girls Allowed, a faith-based, non-profit organization committed to restoring life, value, and dignity to women by providing resources that promote healing and wholeness. Previously, Dr. Jackson was Director of Lifelong Learning at Yale Divinity School and was responsible for developing a robust program to assemble and leverage the abundant intellectual and professional resources of the School for the betterment of churches and other ministries.

Prior to her appointment at Yale Divinity School, Dr. Jackson was the Executive Director of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA, a prestigious and historic organization dedicated to the support of American Baptist clergy. She led the Council from 2012 to 2017, helping the organization restructure and revitalize while securing important new revenue streams. Previously she served for eight years as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Needham, MA, which under her leadership reversed years of decline and flourished as a church known for its engaged preaching, new ministries, and extensive outreach.

Dr. Jackson worked in business for 20 years, with an emphasis on IT and software engineering, before heeding the call to ministry. Key roles she held during that time included Chief Operating / Chief Information Officer of an e-commerce energy services provider and as Managing Director of a supply chain / IT consulting group.

Dr. Jackson received her Doctorate in Ministry, emphasis in Leadership, and Master of Divinity degree, emphasis in Spirituality, both with honors, from Andover Newton Theological School. She holds a Master of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Management from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University. 

Dr. Jackson is also a seasoned executive consultant who leads custom, high impact engagements, including strategic planning, conflict resolution, and leadership development, for non-profit and faith-based organizations. As an author, Dr. Jackson has written numerous articles and two books, Meant for Good: Fundamentals in Womanist Leadership (Judson Press, 2019) and Spiritual Practices for Effective Leadership: 7 R’s of Sanctuary for Pastors (Judson Press, 2015), which was the 2016 Illumination Book Silver Medal Award Winner.