Deborah Gittens is a dynamic and accomplished professional with extensive experience across the corporate, private, and public sectors. She currently serves as Program Coordinator for the ODU/IIE Double-TAP Program in Norfolk, Virginia, supporting a diverse network of clients.

Deborah is also the founder and owner of VIRTUoL Designs, LLC, a creative services firm based in Virginia Beach, where she combines creativity and business acumen to deliver innovative design and consulting solutions. Through her work, she consistently enhances processes and drives operational excellence.

A proud member of Women In Defense (WID), Deborah has served as President for four years and as an Executive Board Member of the Hampton Roads Chamber Portsmouth Division. She is widely recognized for her strategic thinking, technical proficiency, and collaborative leadership, as well as her commitment to empowering others through education and entrepreneurship.

As Director of Double-TAP at Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Lisa supports transitioning service members and veterans in launching and scaling successful businesses. Lisa specializes in government contracting counseling, business startup guidance, and advanced commercialization strategies, having spent more than a decade training and advising small businesses across federal, state, and local procurement environments. With deep expertise in proposal development, certification navigation, and strategic growth planning, Lisa empowers entrepreneurs to compete—and win—in competitive marketplaces. Lisa is passionate about service and innovation, and is committed to building strong pathways for veteran-owned businesses to thrive beyond military service.