Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership and a Legacy of Excellence!
Debbie Graves, Registered Interior Designer and Senior Associate at FleischmanGarciaMaslowski (FG+M) Architecture, will retire in January 2025 after two decades of leadership in the Sarasota office. While stepping away from her full-time role, Debbie will continue to consult on space planning, a discipline she deeply enjoys and excels in—she often says she could do it all day and night.
Debbie’s journey began in Texas, where she attended Texas Tech University—before moving to Venice, Florida. Over the years, she has built strong client relationships and set an example of grace, integrity, and professionalism. She is a mentor who inspires others to work harder while balancing the demands of a career and family, especially for young women in the industry.
Her contributions to healthcare design brought ambition and innovation to the firm, creating a foundation for growth and success in that sector. As the leader of the Sarasota office, Debbie fostered a collaborative, team-oriented environment. She credits her team for shared achievements, teaches by example how to handle challenges, and ensures clients always feel confident in their spaces—whether working with expansive budgets or tight constraints.
Outside of architecture, Debbie enjoys spending time with her three grown children and two grandchildren and traveling to her Murphy, North Carolina cabin. Her past endeavors include running a successful business and designing and sewing nap sacks with built-in pillows.
Debbie’s retirement marks the end of an era, but her influence will remain in the firm and among the clients and colleagues she has touched. We wish her the very best in this next chapter!
