Debbie attained her nursing degree from Texas Eastern School of Nursing. She practiced as a Registered Nurse for several years before attending Central Texas Technical College to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Debbie served the State of Texas as a Family Support Specialist/Social Worker and an Adult Protective Services Specialist.

Debbie calls Round Rock, TX home the last 29 years. She is actively involved in various religious, social, and civic organizations, such as Civitan International, Round Rock Area Service Center, Radiance Women Center, Round Rock Police Foundation, Texas Alliance For Life,  Past Director for RCIA, and R.R. Chamber Ambassador.

Debbie is the founder and CEO of Embrace Life Initiative, a non-profit organization that aims to Educate, Mobilize, Support, and Empower families of color. Embrace Life Initiative brings awareness to the Genocide of the 21st Century happening in the Black communities.

The value of family and the teaching of giving back to the community are paramount to Debbie. She and her husband, Dr. Timothy Juhlke, Ph.D., have been married for almost twenty-nine years. They have three adult children raised on the premise of giving themselves to both the community and the church. In 2018, Debbie and Tim’s family grew as they became ‘forever parents’ of four young siblings.