Cardinal Principal, Debra Tippett

Debra Tippett, president and founder of Cardinal Company, puts a wealth of experience to work for Cardinal clients. Her background includes several executive-level positions in the retail and restaurant sectors.

As chief marketing officer for la Madeleine Bakery Café Bistro, she directed all aspects of the company’s brand, including strategic positioning, marketing, advertising, concept evolution, store design, public relations and product strategy. She also led the company’s first brand development/licensing effort. During her tenure, la Madeleine was successfully repositioned for growth through key branding, operational and financial initiatives.

Tippett also served as executive vice president of marketing and strategic development for the Wyatt Cafeteria chain. In dual roles as EVP and member of the company’s board of directors, she assisted in restructuring and repositioning the chain for sale.

Earlier in her career, Tippett served as vice president, brand marketing for Pearle, Inc. During a twelve-year tenure at Pearle Vision, she held senior positions in business development and marketing, ultimately assuming responsibility for national marketing activities with budgets in excess of $90 million. While at Pearle, she played a major role in three U.S. acquisitions and in the launch of international markets.

Tippett’s brand marketing expertise is complemented by a strong background in finance, having begun her career as a lending officer for Fortune 500 clients with Interfirst Bank, N.A.

Tippett serves on the board of directors of the North Texas Food Bank and on the board of the National Restaurant Association Marketing Executives Group.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and Masters of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.