Debra Vilchis is President of Fishman Public Relations, the nation’s premiere national PR agency specializing in integrated media relations, franchise lead education and digital and content marketing for franchise brands. Debra is also a President and partner at Franchise Elevator PR, a second agency under the Fishman umbrella that focuses on emerging brands.

Debra recently celebrated 26 years of serving clients and leading internal operations at Fishman PR. She served as Chief Operating Officer from 2006 through March of 2022, when she was elevated to the role President. Prior to going into PR, Debra was a news journalist who covered state government for the Associated Press and municipal reporting in the Chicago area, and was associate editor for health and safety trade publications.

Debra is active in the franchise community, serving on the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee for 10 years and having co-chaired the Women’s Franchise Network in Chicago. She currently serves on the IFA Supplier Forum Advisory Board and is a member of that board’s Communications Committee. Debra is also an active agency partner of Worldcom Public Relations Group, and most importantly, she is the proud mom two daughters and one son. Debra also continues to teach 1st grade religious school classes, a side gig she has enjoyed doing since 1996.