Deborah Thomas is an admired and respected businesswoman and a role model to many.

Deborah is one of the country’s most successful and experienced Magazine Editors. After successfully editing magazines such as Cleo, Elle and Mode (now Harper’s Bazaar), Deborah was appointed Editor-In-Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Australia’s highest selling magazine and a national icon, in September 1999.

In May 2002, The Australian Women’s Weekly scooped the pool at the Magazine Publishers of Australia Awards. The awards included Magazine of the Year 2002, General Excellence (News and General Interest), as well as two advertising and marketing awards. Deborah received the highest accolade, Editor of the Year. As well as many other notable awards under her steerage, The Weekly won the 2009 Australian Magazine Award for General Excellence in the Mass Women’s Category.  

In July 2010, Deborah was given the newly created role of Director of Media, Public Affairs and Brand Development across ACP’s portfolio of 50-plus titles. Reporting directly to the CEO, Deborah is responsible for all media, marketing and PR across the corporate division, as well as the individual magazine brands and events, plus the development of new revenue streams for the company, including licensed products.  

Deborah is the corporate face of the company, hosting many of the magazines’ events for the industry and general public, and speaking on behalf of the company, as well as representing ACP on a number of boards and charities. 

In 2011 Deborah took on the role as adviser to Mark Bouris in the top rating television series, Celebrity Apprentice 1 with a second series going to air in April 2012. A regular on radio, Deborah hosted the weekly Health and Wellbeing Show on 2GB and 3MTR – the only woman to have her own show on Sydney’s top rating radio station. She is an entertaining and informative media commentator, with regular spots on the Today show, A Current Affair, National Nine News and Mornings. Deborah is also a sought-after speaker on many topics, including marketing to women, balancing work and family, and, of course, the Australian publishing and advertising industry.