Biographical Information:
Debra L. Burke, PHR, SHRM-CP serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve, bringing over 20 years of experience in educational leadership. Previously, she served as the Human Resources Manager at Cleveland Municipal School District, overseeing
compensation, staffing, licensure, EMIS, and records retention for all staff, students. Debra’s prior roles include:
- Human Resources Manager – Marous Brothers Construction
- Human Resources Manager – Cardinal Commerce
- Payroll Supervisor & HRIS Specialist – Reliance Electric, a Rockwell Automation Company
Debra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration from Malone University. She earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification in 2005 and her Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential in 2015. Additionally, she has held an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Business Manager License since 2015 and
anticipates obtaining her ODEW Treasurer License in 2025.
Currently, Debra oversees human resources, business agreements, contracts, information technology, and facility operations, using her expertise to support strategic initiatives within the ESC and its member districts. She is also involved in various state-wide boards and initiatives. Debra was appointed to the Ohio School Plan Board of Directors in January 2025. Throughout her career, Debra has focused on organizational leadership, HR best practices, and operational efficiency, fostering positive relationships and driving continuous improvement in educational service operations.
Key Areas of Focus:
- Human Resources Leadership and Compliance
- Business Operations and Strategic Partnerships