Debra Kilpatrick Byrd is the director of programs and innovations at Cultural Tourism DC where she is responsible for building new partnerships and expanding existing programs. Byrd comes to Cultural Tourism DC with more than 20 years experience in program management. Byrd has worked with federal and state governments, where she specialized in grants and contract administration, strategic partnership engagement and business development, conference and event planning.

She has held management positions with BET Networks, AARP, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DC Fire and EMS, and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration.

Byrd has a special passion for the arts and her community. She is active in her neighborhood civic association, church and volunteers on a regular basis.She enjoys traveling with her husband, William W. Byrd, and listening to music and collecting antiques. Debra holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.