Deborah Corn
Executive Director GirlsWhoPrint
Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse PrintMediaCentr
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahcorn/
1) What does “making your move” mean to you at this stage of your career?
At this stage of my career, making my move is less about proving something and more about building something that lasts. Earlier in my career, a move meant taking an opportunity, learning a new skill, or stepping into a bigger role. Now it means using my experience, network, and platform to open doors for others and to move the industry forward.
Making my move today is about creating opportunities for women in print to be seen, heard, and valued for the contributions they make every day. It is about building programs, partnerships, and communities that help women advance their careers, expand their influence, and shape the future of our industry.
It is no longer just about my next step. It is about creating pathways so more women can take theirs.
2) Can you share a moment when you took action that moved your career forward?
A major move was leading Girls Who Print into its next chapter as a nonprofit organization. Building a community is one thing, but formalizing it into a nonprofit was a very different step. It required a bigger vision, more structure, and a clear commitment to serving women in print in a deeper, more sustainable way.
That move mattered because it shifted Girls Who Print from being an important network into an organization with the ability to create long-term impact through education, mentorship, programming, partnerships, and career support. It made the mission bigger than conversation. It turned it into action.
It also marked an evolution in my own leadership. As the Executive Director of Girls Who Print, I was no longer just advocating for women in the industry. I was also building an organization designed to support their advancement on a global level. The responsibility of leading this mission comes with a lot of learning and a lot of help.
3) What helped you recognize the right time to make that move?
The timing became clear as Girls Who Print expanded globally, with regional leadership, international engagement, and growing demand for structured programs and resources.
At that point, it was no longer just about connection. It needed credibility and a formal structure to support what it was becoming.
Becoming a nonprofit provided that foundation. It positioned Girls Who Print as a standalone entity, able to build partnerships, scale programs, and support its community in a more meaningful and sustainable way.
The move was not about waiting for the right moment. It was about recognizing that the growth was already happening, and the structure needed to catch up.
4) What advice would you give women in print who are considering their next move?
Do not wait until you feel completely ready. Most meaningful career moves happen before you feel fully prepared.
Instead, look for opportunities where you can learn, contribute, and grow at the same time. Volunteer for projects. Join industry initiatives. Speak up when you have ideas. The more visible and involved you become, the more opportunities begin to appear.
And just as important, build relationships across the industry. Print is a collaborative business, and the people you meet along the way often become the ones who open the next door.
Your next move does not have to be dramatic. Sometimes it is simply raising your hand, saying yes to an opportunity, or deciding that your voice belongs in the conversation.
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