Many things have stuck with Debbie Mirman Stillman since graduating from the School of Public Policy (SPP) in 2001, but one of the most important is the skill of effective communication. Being able to communicate clearly, whether verbally or in writing, has stayed with Stillman through several careers, and has continued to be invaluable in her current role as Director of Development for the Anti-Defamation League’s Washington D.C. Regional Office.
Stillman came to the University of Maryland (UMD) to pursue her master’s degree after graduating from McGill University in Montreal, Canada with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Jewish Studies. While studying psychology at McGill, Stillman became curious about how social policies can lead to vastly different outcomes for individuals. This encouraged Stillman to pursue public policy for graduate study, on the recommendation of one of her professors. After researching various programs, she landed on UMD due to its proximity to the nation’s capital, and the fact that so many of the school’s professors were scholar-practitioners.
“They were not only academics, but rather individuals who had also held roles in public service. I felt this would give me a uniquely practical education, one that would help me translate my studies into a career,” said Stillman.
They were not only academics, but rather individuals who had also held roles in public service. I felt this would give me a uniquely practical education, one that would help me translate my studies into a career.Debbie Stillman MPM '01
During her time at SPP, Stillman worked hard to develop her network amongst her classmates and professors, many of whom she is still in touch with today. It is often said about finding a job that “it isn’t what you know, but who you know.” While Stillman would argue that the “what you know” is still important so that you can be successful once you get a job, she acknowledges that who you know is likely what will get you in the door. Stillman says that she has often leveraged relationships with former classmates and professors to help open doors over her 20+ year career.
In addition to honing her networking skills at SPP, Stillman also sharpened her ability to take a complicated policy matter and translate it into something her intended audience could understand and digest. Stillman fondly remembers one of her professors, Allen Schick, impressing upon her and her classmates that “You may have a great policy solution, but if you don’t know how to write about it succinctly, no one is ever going to read it.” This motivated Stillman to learn how to write a short, effective policy memo in order to get her point across clearly and succinctly.
“One test I have often applied to my written work or to a speech I’m writing is, ‘Would my mom understand it?’ If the answer is no, I go back to the drawing board,” advised Stillman.
This has proven to be one of the most essential aspects of her work as a fundraiser. Stillman’s current role with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is actually not the first that she has held with the organization. In fact, she served as an intern there during her first year of graduate school, focusing on civil rights, education and development. Her experience helped shape her career trajectory in the nonprofit world, leading her to work for two nonprofit women’s rights organizations following graduation doing legislative advocacy work.
While researching, lobbying and grassroots organizing for these organizations, Stillman was often frustrated that these organizations never seemed to have sufficient funding to carry out their work in the way that would have the greatest impact. Even more disappointing was the fact that the development staff was often inadequately prepared to explain to donors the policy and programmatic work in a way they could digest. This led Stillman to pivot her career to focus on development - enabling organizations to build their capacity in order to do their most important work. Stillman especially loves helping major donors connect deeply to the organization’s mission, explaining that it feels incredibly empowering to be able to open the opportunity for donors to truly effect change with their financial support.
Stillman returned to the ADL about two years ago as the Director of Development for ADL’s Washington, D.C. Regional Office, which covers ADL’s work in Washington D.C., MD, VA and NC. Stillman and her team are responsible for all of the fundraising efforts in these states, with the funds going to support the organization’s programmatic efforts to fight hate.
“Since 2016, we have witnessed a dangerous rise in antisemitism, white supremacy, and extremism in our country. It has infiltrated every community, including here in our area,” said Stillman, “ADL is among the organizations at the forefront of the fight against hate, and I am very proud to be working here and contributing my skills.”
When asked what advice she would offer to current SPP students, Stillman recommends taking advantage of every opportunity the school offers, whether it be a networking event, listening to a special lecture or seminar, or joining a club.
“You obviously need to work hard and do well in your classes; but it’s also just as important to take the time to build relationships with your classmates, the faculty, staff and alumni,” said Stillman. “Those relationships will prove pivotal in your career in ways you can’t even yet know.”