debbie getz bubp.

sylvania, ohio | sister. daughter. wife. mother. friend.

vice president of talent management at hylant.

Debbie Getz Bubp has been my best friend since I can remember. Our mothers were best of friends, making us mandatory friends since we were in diapers. Debbie Getz spent countless hours playing merciless games of war with me and my siblings. We proudly paraded around town showing off our welts from the bright green walnuts that served as ammunition during those brutal wartime exchanges; welts that would bring child services to our door in this day and age.

Debbie Getz and I built epic Barbie doll houses and flew our cherry tree spaceship to Mars. We ran busy hospitals and took turns wearing dresses Cinderella would envy. Our first boyfriends were Bo and Luke Duke and we knew every word to Simon and Garfunkel’s Cecilia long before we knew what the lyrics meant.

Our imaginations were priceless… and now, so is our friendship. I stood beside Debbie Getz when she married Bubp, one of our other dear childhood friends, and cried when they dedicated their ceremony to Debbie’s mother and both of my parents, all who had passed away by then. That moment stands as one of the most touching moments of my life. This girl just makes everything better.

Debbie Getz Bubp is a proud wife and mother of two boys. Her work ethic is unparalleled… just like her wicked sense of humor.

Enjoy this special highlight.


How did you choose the life you lead and was it a conscious decision?

I’ve always enjoyed solving problems. I really like to fix things. I am not sure how I ended up in Human Resources, but I most certainly help solve problems and attempt to fix things almost daily.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date?

The birth of my two sons.

How do you bring courage to a challenging situation?

I stay focused on believing that I will make it through whatever situation I am faced with. Life will be hard along the way – for all of us,  just know that you will be okay.

How do you overcome fear?

Force myself to do things I am afraid of.

Is there a work-life balance?

I love this question. No. It shifts back and forth.

Do you ever feel guilty? If yes … what for?

Yes. I feel guilty for taking time out for myself. I typically put myself last at work and at home.

What gets you through a rough day?

Forcing myself to smile. It is amazing how uplifting my own smile can be.

What qualities do you look for in friends?

The #1 quality I look for in a friend is having a friend who is comfortable with me … just being me. Regardless of any differences.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

You will figure it out Debbie Getz … and you will be fine.

What is the most difficult thing about being a HR Manager?

Scenarios pop up all the time (some more serious than others), but you can’t lose sight of the big picture. Some detours are necessary…stick to the roadmap … stay aligned to the big picture.

What are the most common mistakes people make?

One big one is avoidance. When something seems too difficult to accomplish or too hard to fix…it’s avoided. In many cases, when you shut down, the problem becomes much bigger, much harder to resolve. In my career, so much time has been spent helping resolve matters that got out of hand by not even attempting to resolve early on. Should be common sense, right?

What is your best advice on how to live a graceful life?

Don’t try to have life all planned out—to some extent, go with the flow.


j. jane side notes:

This interview was first posted in 2015. Debbie was recently promoted and highlighted in Business Wire. There is no question in my mind that Hylant is a better company because of Deb’s hard work. You can read more here. 

4 Comments
  • Nikki
    Posted at 17:57h, 21 September

    Yes! Avoidance is the worst! I could learn to go with the flow a bit more and learn to do it with a smile

    • jessica jane stern
      Posted at 22:39h, 21 September

      This one struck a chord with me too, Nikki.

  • Melissa
    Posted at 01:22h, 22 September

    Thank you for sharing your story Debbie. I’ve heard Jessica speak of you often and know how special you are to her. Be flexible, be yourself and go with the flow – great advice!

  • Samantha
    Posted at 21:10h, 22 September

    Thanks for sharing Debbie. I like your gentle advice to the younger you. What a poised, intelligent woman you have become.