Debbie Knowlan

Debbie Knowlan is a strategic operations and customer experience leader with a proven record of driving transformation across hospitality, sports, entertainment, tech, and startup environments. Known for building high-performing teams and designing scalable systems, she brings a customer-centric and employee-first mindset to every challenge. Her expertise spans business operations, project management, revenue enablement, and organizational development—always anchored in practical problem-solving, critical thinking, and a bias for action.

Debbie thrives in fast-paced environments where innovation, service excellence, and measurable results matter. Whether scaling startups or consulting for established brands, she focuses on understanding how work gets done, identifying pain points, and developing solutions that improve both the employee and customer experience.

As Founder of 516 Business Solutions, Debbie advises early-stage startups and growth-stage companies on how to streamline operations, develop go-to-market strategies, and implement scalable systems—from CRM and marketing automation to customer support frameworks. She also leads 516 GrowthLab, a fractional consulting division that helps startups test, refine, and scale smarter, more efficient business practices.

Previously, Debbie served as VP of Customer Experience at Jampack (Fuse Technologies), where she was a founding team member and key driver of the company’s growth and operational foundation. She led end-to-end business operations, contributing to rapid revenue growth through strategic market expansion, cross-functional alignment, and operational scalability. Debbie played a critical role in shaping product and service strategies, accelerating development timelines, and implementing core systems such as CRM, marketing automation, and AI-powered customer support tools—all designed to enhance efficiency and elevate the overall customer experience.

Earlier in her career, she played a pivotal role in launching United Airlines’ CORE4 initiative, aligning teams company-wide around operational excellence and a service-driven culture. She also served as Director of CRM and Season Ticket Services for the Atlanta Falcons, where she implemented the NFL’s first paperless PSL platform and launched data-driven fan engagement strategies. Additional leadership roles include the NBA’s Miami HEAT, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Debbie is known for her ability to design and optimize complex business functions, implement technology that drives efficiency, and build cultures of accountability and innovation. She is a recipient of the Blank Family of Businesses Leadership Award and a dedicated mentor through WISE (Women in Sports & Events), supporting the next generation of women leaders.