Debra D. Dahlen
A former physician and researcher in hematology and oncology, Debra is on Development, Buildings & Grounds, and Sustainability committees for The Overlake School, and she is chairing their Governance Committee in 2022/23. She is also a prior trustee and executive committee member with Northwest Children’s Fund (NWCF), Billings Middle School, and Perkins School.
Debra is an avid reader, child and education advocate, gardener, naturalist, kayaker, and fabric crafter. A book that came to her at a critical time was Frances Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet, which made her realize the power of her choices. When she is emperor of the world, her biggest accomplishment will be healthcare for all, and the book she would make all of her loyal subjects read would be Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. She is also a big sci-fi fan and recommends reading N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy, as well as Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.
Debra has an M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. (Biology) and B.A. (Chemistry) from the University of Washington.