Deborah Finley conver, Board MEMBER

Deborah Finley Conver is the founder and president of Corporate Affairs Solutions International which provides solutions-based strategic counsel to corporate executives across a wide range of management challenges. She is passionate about strategic mentoring and coaching for rising female executives around the world.

Deborah previously served as Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs for Cadbury, a U.K. confectionery company. Prior to joining Cadbury, Deborah served eleven years as Senior Vice President and Director, Global Services with APCO Worldwide Inc., a global public affairs consultancy headquartered in Washington, where her work focused on international clients in Russia, China and Europe. Her responsibilities included managing multi-faceted global corporate positioning projects, providing services ranging from government affairs and media relations to risk management, financial communications and corporate social responsibility.

Additional experience over her 40+ year career includes her appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and Public Liaison with the U.S. Department of Energy; Director of Federal Affairs and Energy/Agriculture Policy Director for the National Conference of State Legislatures; and Legislative Director for former South Dakota Congressman Clint Roberts and former Nevada Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich. She began her public affairs career serving in several program management positions with the State of South Dakota, including Director of the Young Adult Conservation Corps.

Deborah received numerous professional and civic awards. She attended Northern State University and South Dakota State University and graduated with highest honors from National Louis University of Illinois with a degree in organizational management.

Deborah served on the Board of Directors for several nonprofit organizations. She joined Five Talents in 2020 and is committed to empowering poor communities through education and sustainable models of economic development.