CORE LGBTQIA+ 2024 - Debs Mills Burns

Deb Mills-Burns

Chief Commercial Officer 

ZAM FM Author of Virago - Endgame, and spoken word poet. 

Deb Mills-Burns is a dynamic leader, currently serving as the Chief Commercial Officer at ZAM FM. 

She is also a published author and an accomplished spoken word poet. 

Deb's journey began at the age of 17 when she joined the Armed Forces. 

During her first three years of service, she navigated the challenges of hiding her identity due to the 'gay ban' that was in place until 2000. 

After leaving the forces, Deb naturally transitioned into the Security Industry. 

She started in front-line roles and progressively advanced her career, including working in high-risk environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Her extensive experience in these challenging settings has honed her skills and resilience.

Today, Deb uses her talents in spoken word poetry to address and highlight critical issues such as Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Authenticity. 

Her work is deeply personal and driven by her experiences and her role as a mother. 

She is particularly inspired by her 5-year-old son, who has Autism and is nonverbal, motivating her to use her voice to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.