Spotlight on Women Leaders Series: A Conversation with Debbie Miller, CEO, Social Hospitality

Spotlight on Women Leaders Series

👉Celebrating women leaders across industries and advancing the conversation on leadership—reflecting CFW Careers’ expertise in retained executive search, global executive search, and professional coaching.

Welcome to our Women Leaders Spotlight blog series, part of our Changing the Conversation initiative. This series reflects our founding commitment to advancing women in leadership by moving beyond identifying barriers to focusing on solutions, supporting women in their careers while also influencing organizational practices and policymaking.

At CFW Careers, we combine the reach of global executive search with the insight of professional coaching serving leaders and organizations. Since 1973, we’ve been committed to opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping anyone on the rise in their career not just succeed but thrive.

Today we’re featuring Debbie Miller, the CEO of Social Hospitality. Debbie, can you start by introducing yourself and describing your work at Social Hospitality?

Debbie Miller, CEO, Social Hospitality

My work revolves around the world of digital marketing and communications. I specialize in helping businesses and individuals establish strong online presences, connect with their target audiences, and build meaningful relationships online. Whether it’s through social media, email marketing, content creation, or website optimization, I’m passionate about crafting compelling narratives and strategies that resonate with people.

I launched my brand, Social Hospitality, initially as a blog in 2011. When I was laid off from my first post-college job, I realized that while I had earned recognition in that role, I didn’t have anything to carry with me when we parted ways. That experience taught me how important it is to create something that’s yours. For me, that meant starting Social Hospitality as a blog—a space to share marketing strategies for the hospitality industry in my own voice.

My blog evolved from a side hustle into a full-fledged marketing agency in 2017, and my work is fundamentally about storytelling. I love bringing out the unique voice and personality of each client and building digital strategies that not only capture attention but also drive measurable results. Helping businesses compete in crowded markets by blending creativity with data-driven marketing is what excites me most.

Many professionals struggle with building a professional brand online. What first steps do you recommend for someone who wants to show up more authentically on social media?

My advice to anyone looking to show up more authentically on social media is to start by owning your story. Share what you know, even if it feels small, and be consistent. Instead of trying to sound like everyone else in your industry, talk about your unique experiences, lessons learned, and perspective. Authenticity is what attracts the right audience. It doesn’t have to be perfect; the message will  resonate more when it’s real.

You’ve shared that you believe leaders shouldn’t wait for permission to take up space. Can you talk about how trusting your instincts and embracing your own voice has helped your career?

Absolutely. For a long time, I was shy about speaking up. I remember sitting in meetings early in my career, staying quiet because I didn’t feel “qualified” to contribute among more experienced peers. A coworker once told me that withholding my perspective was “selfish” because I might have had something valuable that others needed to hear. That shifted my mindset.

Over time, I learned that the more I trusted my instincts and shared my perspective, the more doors opened. That confidence was critical in turning Social Hospitality from a side hustle into a full-time business. Each step required navigating around the voice that said “wait until you’re ready” and, instead, just showing up as myself.

Don’t wait for permission to take up space. Trust your instincts, share your perspective, and lead in a way that feels authentic to you, rather than the way you think it’s “supposed” to look. The sooner you embrace your own voice and style of leadership, the more magnetic your business becomes.

What advice do you have for leaders who want to use social media not just to promote their work, but to grow their influence and thought leadership in their industries?

I’d encourage leaders to view social media as an opportunity to build or nourish a brand that’s truly theirs. When your online presence is tied only to your current role, you risk losing visibility if you change jobs. But when you build your own platform and voice, it becomes an asset that can’t be taken away.

Start by identifying the themes you care about most in your industry (for example, innovation, leadership, or lessons from your own journey), and consistently share your perspective. Combine professional insights with personal reflections to show people not just what you do, but who you are as a leader.

That’s how I approached Social Hospitality when I first launched it as a blog: it was my space to share ideas, test strategies, and connect with others. Over time, it became the foundation of my business and my reputation. The influence you build this way isn’t dependent on a title—it’s rooted in your voice, your values, and the trust you cultivate with your audience.

How can people connect with you and learn more about your work?

The best way to connect is to visit my website, SocialHospitality.com, connect with me on LinkedIn, or email me directly at debbie@socialhospitality.com.

Through our work in retained executive search and leadership development, at CFW Careers, we’ve seen the powerful impact of amplifying women’s voices in business. This series celebrates women leaders across industries, sharing their perspectives and paving the way for the next generation.