Debra Chamra

Vice President of Accounting
As the Director of Accounting, Debra Chamra oversees the accounting activities of Chicago Public Media, including financial statement preparation, internal & external reporting, and operations analysis. Debra is a licensed CPA in Illinois & North Carolina, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Prior to joining WBEZ, Debra led the executive management portion of the sales & operations planning process for Talecris Biotherapeutics, a $2.8 billion global biotherapeutic & biotechnology spin-off of Bayer Corporation & a key investment venture for Cerebrus Capital Management. In addition to biotechnology, Debra’s career has included senior finance roles in health care, manufacturing, technology, and higher education.

Debra hails from North Carolina, and is a proud graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and Auburn University. She holds a B.S. in Accounting & Business Administration and Master degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, and Manufacturing Systems. When not keeping busy as a bonus mom to three teens, Debra can be found offsetting her passion to bake & partake in foodie adventures, with her passion for endurance running & spin. Debra is also a passionate volunteer for Women In Bio & a team captain (Go Fox Force!) & fundraiser for the Pancreatic Cancer  Action Network.