Debbie Balfanz has been with Stanford since 2002. She is a health educator, behavior change coach, and manager of the BeWell Champions program. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, as well as the knowledge she’s gained from working with hundreds of Stanford employees, she helps others identify their priorities, understand their motivations, set realistic goals, and overcome barriers to achieving a healthy lifestyle. She helps busy people understand that by making realistic changes to their lifestyle, they can greatly improve their health and the health of those around them. In her work, Debbie emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and a sense of humor. Her focus areas include establishing healthy routines and weight management.

Debbie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and both her master’s and doctorate degrees in social psychology from Princeton University. 

Debbie is married and has two teenage sons with celiac disease. She enjoys getting in regular workouts (yoga, barre, Peloton, walking, running), reading non-intellectual novels, watching HGTV on repeat, talking with friends about nothing and shopping as a competitive sport.