About Susan
A Visionary Leader in People-Centric Consulting
My Experience
A Rich Tapestry of Experience
With over 36 years of HR leadership, including 16 as CHRO for Fortune 150 and 500 companies, I’ve led global strategies that transformed employee engagement, fostered inclusive cultures, and delivered exceptional performance. My leadership roles at Applied Materials, Rockwell Automation, Kellogg, Managing Decisions, Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have given me a unique perspective on the challenges leaders face across industries and cultures. My work earned the prestigious Catalyst Award for creating a Culture of Inclusion at Rockwell Automation and a nomination and recognition as an NAHR Fellow.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Strategic HR Leadership: Spearheaded HR initiatives that boosted employee engagement and operational performance.
- Global Impact: Led diverse teams worldwide, driving cultural integration and performance.
- Award-Winning Excellence: NAHR Fellow and recipient of the Catalyst Award for inclusion initiatives.
My Education
A Strong Academic Foundation
- Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Illinois State University.
- Double Bachelor’s Degrees from Albion College, Michigan, in Psychology and French.
- International Studies at the University of Grenoble, France, enhancing my global perspective and cultural adaptability.
My Philosophy
People-Centric Organizational Health
My leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Having navigated my own journey of self-acceptance, I understand the challenges leaders face in high-pressure environments. I work to build cultures where employees thrive, and leaders drive success through:
- Emotional Intelligence: Cultivating leadership that understands and leverages the healthy and productive emotional dynamics of themselves and their teams.
- Inclusive Cultures: Creating workplaces where every voice is valued.
- Empowerment through Development: Offering workshops that equip employees to excel in challenging environments.
My Journey
From Fear to Self-Acceptance
On paper, my career may look like a steady rise to success, but for years, I was driven by fear—of failure, judgment, and not being good enough. I spent much of my career looking for external validation, unaware of the impact my childhood past had on my professional life. It wasn’t until a mentor helped me confront my personal wounds that I began the journey to self-acceptance. This realization not only changed my life but also shaped my leadership frameworks, helping others overcome their inner critics and reach their full potential in the workplace.
Work, I discovered, is a powerful laboratory for healing, where we can practice self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overcoming fear, getting in the way of performance and joy. My mission is to guide leaders to create their professional environments into places of growth and healing, accelerating human potential and performance.
The Brand Archetypes that Shape My Work
My core archetypes influence how I lead, inspire, and transform organizations and lives.
The Hero
The Hero inspires me to boldly tackle challenges and find solutions to complex problems, empowering others to achieve extraordinary outcomes.
The Everyman
The Everyman grounds my work in relatability and trust, fostering safe environments where everyone feels valued and supported.
The Magician
The Magician helps me unlock hidden potential, guiding individuals and organizations to achieve transformative results and reimagine what’s possible.
The Explorer
The Explorer drives my curiosity and pushes boundaries, leading clients toward unique solutions that align with their values and aspirations.
The Outlaw
The Outlaw empowers me to challenge conventional wisdom, dismantle barriers, and spark bold, impactful change.
A Member of the ‘100 Coaches Agency’
Susan is honored to be part of the 100 Coaches Agency, an exclusive network of the world’s top executive coaches founded by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith. As a member of this distinguished group, Susan joins a select roster of leadership experts recognized for their impact, insight, and dedication to fostering transformation at the highest levels of business. Her association with the 100 Coaches Agency reflects her commitment to excellence and her place among the foremost leaders in executive coaching.
Beyond the Briefcase
Six Facts About Me You Won't Find On My Resume
One
Horses Make Me Happy
I’ve been riding since I was 4 years old and I love the feeling of cantering, with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun on my face. It’s a kind of freedom that makes me feel very close to God.
Two
I had dinner with someone who would be indicted for murder
I got caught up in a horse purchase from a charismatic con man who tried to allay my suspicions by taking me out to a lovely, intimate, charming dinner. That was before the FBI contacted me as a potential witness. They told me that his real purpose for that dinner was to “interview” me to see if I came from money, but he was now being accused of killing horses for the insurance money and murdering a candy heiress. The whole story would be later told on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries.
Three
I skied a black diamond slope in France (with very little experience)
In my early 20s, I was studying abroad and living with a French family. They were all expert skiers. I was not. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I took the lift up to the top of a black diamond slope. As I looked down that mountain, I thought I’d never be more afraid in my life. But that experience was topped just a few minutes later when I had to frantically turn my skis into the side of the mountain to avoid going off a cliff. Needless to say, I survived.
Four
When it comes to television, I prefer the classics
My all-time favorite TV show is M*A*S*H, but my secret runner-up is the original Gong show—I consider it a precursor to America's Got Talent!
Five
My water broke when I was traveling for work
Since I was 1,000 miles from home, my husband at the time couldn’t get there for the delivery, so my three co-workers (one of them a guy) argued about who would be my birth partner. The winner was an IT worker (a mother of two sons). To this day, whenever I’m speaking to an IT group, I tell them that story and reaffirm my commitment to IT, because, “you never know when you’re going to need them.” My first son, Joe, would be joined by my second, Sam, a few years later.
Six
I love ballroom dancing (almost as much as horses)
It’s so much fun! It’s so joyful! It gets me out of my head. Just as with riding horses, especially in competition, it’s a wonderful place to practice letting go of perfectionism. With horses and with dancing, the more you go out and practice in the face of fear, the less of a grip fear will have over you. No matter what, you’re always trying to get to the next level of excellence....
And that’s the same attitude I bring to my work. My commitment is to help you find your next level of excellence.
© 2024 Susan Schmitt Winchester. All rights reserved.