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Debbie Peterson

About

Debbie Peterson was the first directly elected female mayor of Grover Beach, California, after serving as a city councilwoman and planning commissioner. The first book in her Integrity 101 Series, best-selling The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies, and Suicide in a California Beach Town, chronicles the corruption she and citizens battled when she was in office. Also in the series are City Council 101 — Insider's Guide for New Councilmembers, We the People 101 — How to Beat City Hall, and online course, Double Dais, Adventures in Local Government.

Debbie equips citizens and those they elect to take up their roles in their government of the people, by the people, and for the people, through speaking, consulting, and coaching, and her podcast, Corruption Chronicles.

Debbie studied journalism and radio-TV at California State University, Fresno, before completing a BSc in communications (public relations) at the University of Idaho, and an Entrepreneurship course at the Scottish Business School, Glasgow University.

Books by Debbie Peterson
Recent Posts
How Character Strengths Impact Health

You may have heard the adage, “Only the good die young.” Sometimes it seems to be true, but is it? Ask the psychologists.

You may have heard the adage, “Only the good die young.” Sometimes it seems to be true, but is it? Ask the psychologists.

Thomas Jefferson Was Right: Happiness Comes First

Take it from Thomas Jefferson and recent psychology studies: Taking part in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can make you happier.

Take it from Thomas Jefferson and recent psychology studies: Taking part in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can make you happier.

The 4 Virtues of World Happiness

The four virtues at the root of world happiness span centuries, but cohesiveness makes nations happiest today.

The four virtues at the root of world happiness span centuries, but cohesiveness makes nations happiest today.

Psychoanalysts Put White-Collar Criminals on the Couch

Poor judgment—and failure of organizational leaders to identify it—may explain the Silicon Valley and Signature Bank failures.

Poor judgment—and failure of organizational leaders to identify it—may explain the Silicon Valley and Signature Bank failures.

Public Perception of Corruption Predicts Well-Being

There is an easy fix for corruption that could lead to greater happiness. Simply tell it like it is—what it is, who it hurts and how, and the punishment for the crime.

There is an easy fix for corruption that could lead to greater happiness. Simply tell it like it is—what it is, who it hurts and how, and the punishment for the crime.

Women Policymakers Work Best for Financial Integrity

March is Women's History Month, and World International Women's Day is March 8th. Time to revisit gender equity.

March is Women's History Month, and World International Women's Day is March 8th. Time to revisit gender equity.

6 Steps to Tackle Government Corruption

Adopting anti-bullying strategies could help curb government corruption and white-collar crime.

Adopting anti-bullying strategies could help curb government corruption and white-collar crime.