ABOUT GRETCHEN

Executive Overview

Accomplished talent development consultant and coach with demonstrated success in strategic planning, process design, and transformation
Expert in employee engagement, culture, leadership development, and performance management with years of experience developing and executing robust and effective learning
Agile, resilient, and ADKAR Certifiied change practiioner and creative problem-solver with well-developed critical thinking skills who is not afraid to try new things
Outstanding communication skills and high-impact trainer with an engaging personality and ability to build trusting relationships at all levels of an organization
Creative and effective instructional designer (ADDIE/SAM/AGILE) employing the latest research and methods to create learner-centered training and support materials and processes to ensure application
Highly respected coach helping others achieve their goals through reflection, planning, accountability, and feedback
Action-oriented and self-motivated enterprising spirit who works well autonomously or in partnership
Valued project manager with exacting standards and penchant for defining and improving process
Experienced people leader with a well-honed ability to drive results through collaboration and innovation with an excellent record in marketing, budgeting, and planning with years of leadership experience in nonprofit, corporate, and educational organizations with demonstrated HR success in recruiting, selection, and onboarding

Commerce Bank, St. Louis, MO

Senior Talent Development Consultant

June 2022 – present

Independent Consultant, St. Louis, MO

Principal/Owner

August 2020 – present

Partner with high-growth companies to identify and operationalize scalable talent and culture work to drive change
Guide client organizations through a strategic operational assessment to identify learning needs and develop classroom, virtual, and hybrid solutions that meet learners’ vast needs
Create and execute performance solutions that reflect company mission, vision, and values and build culture
Design and deliver in-person and virtual leadership training in areas such as communication, coaching, performance management, problem solving, engagement, conflict resolution, and driving change
Facilitate process review and redesign to increase effectiveness in the workplace and streamline efforts
Conduct program analysis, develop, and update curriculum including content creation and instructional design for classroom and virtual learning based on the latest adult learning theory and principles
Source and implement learning management software in support of hybrid learning plans inclusive of online, virtual, and instructor-led training

Mission Matters Group, St. Louis, MO

Vice President, Talent and Culture/Sr. Consultant

January 2017 – August 2020

Serve as chief people officer with intentional focus on culture, performance, and communications
Serve as a talent advisor to CEO in design, development, and launch of HR processes performance management and professional development plans
Led effort to identify critical competencies and the adoption of competency-based interviewing, performance management and engagement initiatives
Manage consulting relationships with nonprofit organizations from needs assessment to implementation

Edward Jones, St. Louis, MO

Performance Development Specialist

April 2014 – January 2017

Consult cross functionally with HR business partners and division leaders to diagnose current and future needs and identify appropriate development solutions that reflect latest data on adult learning principles
Support professional development through design and facilitation of learning. Successfully managed org-wide redesign of new employee orientation customized by role, department, and location with a consistent, scalable offering providing critical content just in time via in-person, online, and hybrid learning
End to end program management including content development for classroom and web-based learning using Articulate and Captivate authoring software and identifying and growing vendor relationships to supplement internal resources

East Central College, Union, MO

Executive Director, Center for Workforce Development

August 2010 – April 2014

Led team of professional staff to partner with local industry to identify and fulfill learning through customized training and workforce development solutions. Annually trained >1000 individuals and administered $500,000+ in training grants through State of Missouri managed via a self-customized Salesforce platform
Partnered with community leaders to implement systemic workforce programs to impact local economic development efforts including the county’s successful pursuit of Certified Work Ready Community status (#2 in state, #5 in US)
Led campus wide project teams for $1M+ MO Manufacturing Wins and MO Health Wins DOL grants including development of hybrid workforce learning options for healthcare and manufacturing

Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, Columbia, MO

Executive Director

June 2008 – August 2010

Led interns, support, and accounting staff plus 12-member board and 40+ statewide volunteers to ensure the continued effectiveness of Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge through program development, session facilitation, and recruitment of accomplished female leaders and corporate sponsors
Implemented a rigorous, data driven continuous improvement process across all regions and sessions and succeeded in increasing participant satisfaction and program effectiveness

Monsanto, St. Louis, MO

Customer Service Effectiveness Lead

June 2005- September 2007

Selling Skills Training Manager

November 2001- June 2005

- As a member of the Dairy Leadership team, I developed and implemented learning initiatives, programs, and tools to deliver business results through sales and service
- Selected to deliver Monsanto-wide learning programs including People Management, Diversity, and Change
- Implemented multi-phased customer feedback program, comprehensive quality-monitoring program, and thorough redesign of the customer service training plan to improve effectiveness based on data
- Co-led the development of a training program delivered to 4000 clients, 200+ members of the sales organization and 200 people who support them

AchieveGlobal, Tampa, FL

Training Performance Consultant/ Account Representative

May 1999-November 2001

Professionally and enthusiastically delivered AchieveGlobal leadership, sales, and service programs to thousands of client trainees at all levels across many industries throughout the US including train the trainer sessions