Dr. Debra Howard-Burton, ThD
Dr. Debra Howard-Burton is the esteemed founder and visionary leader of S.O.A.R. Professional Services, LLC, a consultancy specializing in workshops, training, and technical assistance. With a remarkable career spanning 38 years, Dr. Burton devoted 34 years to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she served as the Lead Field Victim Advocate. In this role, she developed and implemented impactful policies and procedures for victim advocacy.
Dr. Burton's extensive expertise encompasses mass violence response, leadership, community outreach, crime victim advocacy, crisis intervention counseling, and workshop development. Her academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Union University and a Doctorate in Theology from Midwest Theological University. Between 2009 and 2014, she inspired many as an Adjunct Professor at Dr. E.V. Hill Bible College in Miami, Florida, teaching courses in Leadership, Crisis Counseling and the Church, Womanist Theology, and Creative Teaching Methods.
Dr. Burton is a nationally certified professional, recognized by the United States Department of Justice. She serves as a faculty trainer for the National Hate Crimes Curriculum and fulfills a vital consulting role for the Office of Victims of Crimes and the National Mass Violence Center. Her extensive commitment to assisting crime victims and their families is demonstrated through nationwide workshops, which have garnered her numerous commendations.
In her capacity as a National Crisis Responder and Group Crisis Intervention Facilitator, Dr. Burton has exhibited remarkable dedication by responding to a variety of mass violence incidents and disasters. Her experience includes significant events such as the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center tragedy, the Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting, Hurricane Irma, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting, the Surfside Condo collapse, and Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida. In 2018, she contributed to the discourse as a distinguished panelist at the University of Oregon’s "Leave No Victim Behind Conference: Best Practices for Mass Violence Response and Tribal Communities."
Furthermore, Dr. Burton was an adjunct faculty member for the National Victims' Assistance Academy at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where she has authored essential chapters on “Culture and Spiritual Competence” and “Respecting Diversity: Responding to the Underserved Victims of Crime.” Additionally, she is the author of the impactful poem "Someone Is Screaming," which reflects her commitment to advocating for victims and inspiring others in the field of victim advocacy.