We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Debora Mendonça. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Debora below.

Hi Debora, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career is that professional growth is inseparable from personal evolution. My journey has been anything but linear—moving to America at 21, starting as a barista and server, and, 12 years later, becoming the Director of Operations for a well-established, multimillion-dollar company. Now, I’m stepping into an even bigger challenge: expanding from one location to multiple.

With each step forward, I’ve realized that growth always comes with discomfort. Every new level of responsibility has required me to look inward, adapt, adjust, and stretch beyond my comfort zone. There have been moments of uncertainty and pressure, but I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about evolving, embracing change, and continuously becoming a stronger version of myself.

This lesson has shaped how I lead, how I approach challenges, and how I support those around me. Growth isn’t just about titles or success; it’s about who we become along the way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I originally came to New York to pursue an artistic career, but like many, I took restaurant jobs to support myself financially. What started as a necessity quickly became a passion. From hosting, bussing, and serving, I realized I had a natural inclination for leadership, and my ambition helped me stand out. Over the years, I worked across different sectors of the hospitality industry—from fine dining to major hotels—gaining a deep understanding of operations at all levels.

Now, I have the privilege of running an incredible dessert empire, The Glass Knife. One of the biggest challenges I tackle is helping restaurants navigate the lasting impacts of the post-COVID era. Since joining The Glass Knife, I’ve developed innovative new departments that generate revenue in ways that didn’t previously exist. But beyond strategy and profitability, I’ve focused heavily on culture—because a thriving business is built on a thriving team.

I deeply believe in human-centered leadership. Employees need to feel heard, understood, and valued, and I’ve made it a priority to create a workplace where collaboration is key, voices matter, and growth is encouraged. My goal is to push my team to advance in ways that align with their individual aspirations.

I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve cultivated, the expansion we’re undertaking—including our newest location opening soon on Park Avenue in Winter Park—and the continued evolution of our brand. I’m also grateful to have found an owner who believes in me and is willing to invest in my growth. For much of my career, I learned by taking risks, stepping into the unknown, and figuring things out along the way. Now, with the right support, I’m able to take our company to new heights while continuing to evolve as a leader.

For anyone who follows my journey, I hope they see a story of resilience, ambition, and possibility. Whether in hospitality or any industry, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about adaptability, vision, failing many times and the willingness to embrace growth at every turn.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Landing in NYC at the age of 21, as a young immigrant woman in NYC, I faced my fair share of rejection—and, at times, even humiliation. Having an accent (which, thankfully, Netflix helped me smooth out over the years!) often made me feel like I had to work three times as hard to prove myself. I had to develop a thick skin early on, learning to navigate a world that didn’t always make space for me.

While I wouldn’t wish those struggles on anyone, I know that challenges—whatever form they take—are inevitable. That’s why my biggest advice is this: Have clear goals and set a timeline for your growth. Know when you should be in certain roles, and don’t stay too long in a place where you aren’t fully recognized. Learn what you need to, build your resume, and when the time comes, move on to something that truly fulfills you.

Everything has a season. Some cycles will come to a natural close, and when they do, listen to yourself. Keep going, keep pushing, and don’t settle until you’ve created the career—and life—you truly want. Resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about knowing when to move forward.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that the world is against me. For a long time, (due to leaving mom’s home at 16 to explore the world on my own and 21 moving from Brazil to NYC) I took things personally—every rejection, every difficult interaction, every moment where I felt overlooked or undervalued. But with time, experience, and a lot of self-reflection, I realized something crucial: People have their own struggles, their own challenges, and their own perspectives that have nothing to do with me.

So my mantra became: Take nothing personally. The moment I started detaching from that mindset, everything changed. I stopped wasting energy on unnecessary hurt, and instead, I gained a deeper sense of empathy. I could see where people were coming from, understand their pain, and lead them more effectively.

Of course, this is a work in progress—I still catch myself slipping up at times. But unlearning this has been one of the most freeing and transformative shifts in my leadership and personal growth. The less you take personally, the more power you have over your own emotions, and the better you can connect with and uplift those around you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debmendonca/#
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-mendonca

Image Credits

First Photo: Me at my Gala Fundraising event for the American Heart Assocaition
Second Pic: Me receiving a nomination award for Leader of Impact 2025 by The American Heart association
Third photo: Betsy Garden, CEO of The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce awarding me CITZEN OF THE YEAR in 2025 alongside Carroll Goggin, President of The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Board
4th photo: Betsy Garden, CEO of The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce awarding me CITZEN OF THE YEAR in 2025
5th photo, awarded CHAIRPERSON OF THE YEAR 2024 by Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
6th photo, at CHAIR PERSON OF THE YEAR winner award alongside my team, Lance Koenig, Carmae Gumataotao, ME, Bianca Hinksman, JR Magnatong and Lauren DeGeus (Executive Chef for The Glass Knife)
7th photo – My “Best Communication” awards by Midia America 2024
8th photo me after interviewing for Betsy Gardner’s podcast B Student